By: Wayne Green

When we think about Jewish teens today, they represent incredible diversity in who they are and how they navigate through the world, their community, their family and importantly, how they wish to express their Jewish identity through giving back. In the recent study, Just Teens: Transforming Tzedakah into Grantmaking, 2017-2018 by the Jewish Teen Funders Network, we gain valuable insight into how teens involved in Jewish teen philanthropy programs give and engage within the Jewish community.

Jewish teen philanthropists give with intentionality and have a strong connection to their Jewish community. Based on responses from over 60% of Jewish teen foundations within the network, it was shown that through strong Jewish identity building and learning about issues facing their local Jewish community, programs’ giving aligned strongly with investment in one’s own community.

Some Jewish teen philanthropy programs set parameters on giving. These parameters are guidelines which help to frame the grantmaking process and may include giving to local, global, Jewish or Israel organizations. In the study, it was shown that when no parameters were set, teens continued to focus on Jewish connection and community building which resulted in 61% of dollars being allocated to Jewish and Israel organizations.