programs
JCC Teen Board
Lead. Connect. Make an Impact.
Established in November 2024 by Community Shaliach Niv Sadeh, the JCC Teen Board Leadership Program brings together motivated teens for a year of leadership development, community building, and hands-on planning.
The program was created to provide a dynamic space where participants can explore what it means to lead with purpose, gain valuable new skills, and become the best versions of themselves. Together, teens collaborate with peers to contribute to programs that reflect the needs, interests, and values of their community—all while expanding their social circles, having fun, and exploring Jewish identity and Israel through an authentic Israeli lens.
Click Here To Apply by 9/8
Pillar 1: Next-Gen Leadership & Skill Building
We don’t just talk about leadership; we give you the actual toolkit to make things happen. Being on the board means stepping into a space where your ideas are taken seriously. Through hands-on experience, you will gain essential life skills that schools don’t always teach, including:
- Public Speaking & Pitching: Build the confidence to stand in front of a crowd, command a room, and clearly share your vision
- Event Architecture: Learn the behind-the-scenes strategy of organizing, marketing, and launching successful large-scale community events from scratch.
- Strategic Planning: Discover how to set realistic goals, make high-stakes decisions, and turn big dreams into actionable reality.
- Emotional Intelligence & Peer Leadership: Increase your empathy, learn to identify the strengths and weaknesses within a team, and master the art of leading and motivating your own peers.
Pillar 2: Jewish Identity & Israeli Connection
Explore your heritage and global community on your own terms. This program is a modern, vibrant space designed for teens of all backgrounds, observance levels, and denominations. We connect you to something bigger than yourself through:
- Accessible Traditions: Explore Jewish values, holidays, and history through a fresh, fun, and engaging lens that relates to your daily life.
- Real-World Global Perspective: Navigate complex current events and global Jewish affairs in a safe, open-minded space.
- The ShinShinim Experience: Get an authentic, insider look at modern Israel and global culture by learning directly from Israeli high school graduates living and working right here in our community.
Pillar 3: The Ultimate Community & Life-Long Connection
Come for the leadership, stay for the people. A board shouldn’t just feel like a committee, it should feel like a community. We intentionally design this space to help you break out of your usual school bubble and build deep, authentic relationships:
- A New Circle: Meet and collaborate with dynamic teens from different schools and backgrounds whom you might never have crossed paths with otherwise.
- The Power of Collaboration: Learn the art of group dynamics—how to debate respectfully, compromise, and make collective decisions as a unified team.
- Core Memories: Beyond work, we make time for joy. Through shared challenges, fun activities, and meaningful experiences, you will build connections and friendships that can truly last a lifetime.
How to Apply
- Learn about the program: Review the program goals, expectations, meeting dates, and leadership themes.
- Fill out the Application by September 8
- Application review: The JCC team will review applications and follow up with next steps.
- Register after approval: Approved applicants will receive access to the registration link.
Registration After Acceptance
Registration is available only after the application has been reviewed and approved. Approved participants will receive a registration link and any additional details needed to complete enrollment.
Meeting Dates and Topics
The program includes a series of meetings focused on leadership identity, community responsibility, collaboration, planning, and teen voice. Dates can be added once confirmed.
| Meeting | Date | Session Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/12/26 | Setting the Foundation |
| 2 | 11/9/26 | Finding Your Voice |
| 3 | 12/7/26 | Increasing Light in Our Lives |
| 4 | 1/11/27 | Deep Roots & Real-World Realities |
| 5 | 2/8/27 | The Mastery of Collaboration and Compromise |
| 6 | 3/8/27 | Behind the Mask: What is Fake vs. Real? |
| 7 | 4/12/27 | The Freedom to Create |
| 8 | 5/3/27 | Planning for Success |
| 9 | 5/24/27 | Leaving a Legacy |
Other Important Dates
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hanukkah Event | 12/5/26 | A community event to celebrate the holiday of Hannukah at the JCC – we will help facilitate activities for young kids at the event. |
| MLK Day | 1/19/27 | A “day-on” doing volunteer and service work together at the JCC. |
| Purim Festival | 3/14/27 | Purim Festival is a carnival to celebrate Purim at the JCC – we will run bounce houses, activities and stations and food area. |
| Mimouna Shabbat | 4/30/27 | Mimouna is a Jewish tradition that developed by Moroccan Jews to celebrate the end of Passover and eat chametz again with a big party – we will help decorate the space for the event and create a designated teen area at the event. |
| Yom Ha’atzmaut | 5/16/27 | Israeli 79th Independence Day at the JCC! We will help facilitate activities, decorate the JCC and run programs with other teen groups at the event. |
