INSPIRINGJEWISH LIFEAND LEARNING SPOTLIGHT: JEWISH TEEN ENGAGEMENT During this pivotal time in a young person’s journey to adulthood, meaningful Jewish experiences offer make-or-break opportunities for continued lifelong connection post-B’nai Mitzvah. These experiences are also known to offer significant holistic benefits to the lives of teenagers - providing safe spaces, fostering friendships with peers and meaningful relationships with adult role models, developing pride in being Jewish, and supporting identity development. Recognizing the diversity of the teen population, our multi-pronged approach to teen engagement leverages our strengths, core competencies, and experience in seeding large scale initiatives for our community. BUILDING COMMUNITY CAPACITY The Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Initiative is designed to increase the number and broaden the diversity of teens engaged in meaningful Jewish experiences during their high school years. Through grant funding to local organizations and synagogues, development and training for professionals who work with teens, and centralizing resources for teens and their support networks, we aim to create new, innovative, and sustainable models of engagement for today’s youth. Launched this year with transformative 1:1 match funding from the Jim Joseph Foundation, together with significant support from the Lisa and John Pritzker Family Foundation and additional generous donors, this major Initiative aims to change the landscape of our community for Jewish teens. DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM Diller Teen Fellows - Established in San Francisco in 1998 by the Helen Diller Family Foundation1 , the goal is to develop future generations of active, effective leaders with a strong Jewish identity, commitment to the Jewish people, respect for pluralism and love of Israel. Jewish Teen Foundations – In its 15th year, the Federation’s pioneering, project-based teen engagement effort focused on building the next generation of Jewish philanthropists and leaders by teaching skills, traditions, and values of Jewish philanthropy, community responsibility, leadership and peer mentorship. Since inception, more than 800 teens have participated, raising over $2 million and making over 300 grants. REDUCING BARRIERS AND INCREASING ACCESS The Federation is committed to making meaningful Jewish experiences accessible and affordable through scholarship assistance to attend Jewish schools and camps, participate in Israel experiences, and to attend college. 1 The Helen Diller Family Foundation is a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. 4