SUMMER: The New York Teen Initiative

The goal of the New York Teen Initiative is to increase the number of teens participating in immersive and inspiring Jewish summer experiences, by meeting the unique needs of today’s teens.

This will be accomplished through three strategies:

• INCUBATION: The New York Teen Initiative introduced new, innovative programs to the marketplace. In addition to start up grants, the programs receive financial support, personalized coaching, marketing assistance, as well as a broad series of interactive, educational workshops. The Incubator also provides professional development opportunities for summer program providers – designed for both those participating in the Incubator, as well as other programs currently in the marketplace. Participants are listed below.

• MARKETING: The New York Teen Initiative is addressing the marketing of Jewish summer experiences through the website, FindYourSummer.org. FindYourSummer.org is the place for Jewish teens to discover summer experiences as unique as they are. Teens and their families can use the site to search among more than 350 programs that appeal to different passions, interests, and backgrounds. From specialty programs focused on surfing and the arts, to social action projects and international travel opportunities, and so many more, there’s a perfect experience for every Jewish teen. Visit FindYourSummer.org to find information on more than 350 programs that appeal to different passions, interests, and backgrounds.

• SCHOLARSHIP: The New York Teen Initiative has doubled the number of scholarship dollars available to New York area teens seeking Jewish summer programming. As a result of the increase in funding over the past two years, 473 additional teens participated in Jewish summer experiences.

The following programs are being incubated through the New York Teen Initiative:

Cohort I

• AЯTEL Teen Fellowship – Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst and JCC Association

• Sababa Surf Camp –Temple Israel of Great Neck and Forest Hills Jewish Center

• DOROT Summer Teen Internship Program – DOROT

• Pop Up For Change – 14th Street Y

Cohort II

• Food and Farm Road Trip – Eden Village Camp

• Israel Brushstrokes – Young Judaea and Bezalel Arts Academy

• Next Step Israel Internships – NCSY

• Roots Israel – Alexander Muss High School in Israel and Jewish National Fund

• URJ 6-Points Sci Tech Israel – Union for Reform Judaism

• Zeke Teen – Camp Zeke

Past Incubated Programs

• AJSS: JAM (Judaism. Action. Mitzvot) – American Jewish Society for Service

• Costa Rica for the Curious – PresenTense in partnership with Putney Student Travel

• InternNYC – JCC Manhattan

• Israel Teen Fellowship

• URJ Just Act NYC – Union for Reform Judaism