By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com A room full of teenagers on the NFTY Convention’s final day Feb. 16 discussed what giving to others means in a session titled “Be- yond the Ice Bucket Challenge,” after the campaign that raised $115 million to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Most of those at the session said they give of themselves … Continued

When the Jewish Teen Board of Greater Toronto starts its inaugural year, Aron Katz will not only be taking the helm as coordinator of Toronto’s first Jewish teen board – he will be making the two halves of his life whole. As a member of and leader in the Jewish community, Katz’s experiences run the … Continued

by Darren Schwartz Philanthropy Officer at Jewish Community Foundation San Diego I am a proud father of two wonderful little girls. My eldest is four years old and has an insatiable curiosity about things she encounters on a daily basis. She wants to know how walls are made, where rainbows come from and what will … Continued

by Stefanie Zelkind Director, JTFN I’d like to share an “a-ha” moment I recently experienced. For the first time, as he dropped coins in the tzedakah box, my son asked what happens when the box fills up. I told him that we’d give the money to people who need it. “But why don’t they just … Continued

If you were to track down Alli Lesovoy’s former high school classmates in San Mateo, California, those that didn’t know her well might say they never saw her after school – not on the court, not practicing with the band, and not in a language club. They might even say her absence meant she never … Continued

by Caroline Kaplan, JTFN Youth Ambassador UJA’s Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership (CYPL) is designed as a three to four year program for teens to learn, do, and teach. As first-years on the Philanthropic Advisory Council for Teens (PACT), freshmen learn Jewish values such as Maimonides’s Ladder and consensus building. After using these lessons … Continued

By Sara Blau, JTFN Youth Ambassador Council, Teen Philanthropy Leadership Council at the UJA Federation – NY When I was growing up, I was involved in many sports teams. Tennis, softball, basketball, and soccer, were just a few of my favorites. I loved the feeling of being a part of a team; of feeling like … Continued

After 5 years of serving as the Chair of Honeycomb’s Advisory Board, Dr. Jeffrey Solomon is stepping down from his role on the board.  Jeff brought his decades of experience in strategic philanthropy, program and board management into developing what Honeycomb is today. Jeff has played an integral part in envisioning the future of Jewish … Continued

National Study on Jewish Teens to Explore How Programs are Helping them “Flourish in Today’s World” A new national project will explore the learning and growth outcomes of teen experiences offered by the largest organizations that engage Jewish teens in North America. The study, led by The Jewish Education Project and Rosov Consulting, will seek … Continued

Where does Authenticity fit within our Giving Experience? By: Wayne Green Rabbi Hillel said: “If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I?” Pirkei Avot 1:14. This text asks us to consider when to stand and act for ourselves and when to act … Continued