Teen Opportunities

The Nachshon Project: Looking for people to nominate a congregant/student who is currently a college sophomore, who might be interested in exploring careers in the rabbinate, cantorate, Jewish education, or Jewish communal service.The Nachshon Project would provide them with a fully subsidized semester in Israel during their junior year of college where they can learn about these Jewish career opportunities, gain a better understanding of which careers might be right for them, and explore the reasons why such a path might lead them to a meaningful future. They will also become eligible to apply for a graduate fellowship which offers $30,000 per year for graduate school. 

Please think of college sophomores in your circles that would be a good fit for our program next year, and nominate them here by April 30, 2023. You can fill out the form multiple times in order to nominate multiple students. Once we receive your nomination, an application will be sent to the nominee. 

Tivnu:  From short programs to a full gap year.  Teens connect Jewish life and social justice through individualized internships, discover the Pacific Northwest, and create a home together in Portland, Oregon. "Whether you spend your year advocating for immigrants’ rights, creating mentorships for LGBTQ kids, building tiny houses or cooking for houseless Portlanders, you’ll know you made a difference."  

Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem:  From school break programs to summers to gap years, incredible teachers and the experience of living in the center of Jerusalem.

Keshet:  Shabbatons and programming to celebrate LGBTQ teens and their families.

jGirls Magazine: Content is created by teens and curated by a teen Editorial Board. We have several teens from Beth Israel participating already! 

Tikvah Scholars: The Tikvah Scholars program is a summer institute in Jewish thought, philosophy, and politics. The program brings together hundreds of Jewish teens from around the world each summer, who come to study the greatest texts in the Jewish and Western canon, and who want to explore how Judaism informs — and challenges – Western ideas. The faculty includes leading professors and intellectuals, covering a wide range of elective subjects, ranging from economics to bioethics, Greek philosophy to constitutional law, and modern literature to American political thought.

Looking for a scholarship for your teen who is traveling with a program to Israel? 
The Eli M. Ladin Israel Scholarship Fund was created by Lily Ladin in memory of her husband. Partial scholarships towards a recognized Israel summer or year-round program in Israel will be awarded to Beth Israel teenagers who have demonstrated a commitment to Jewish life and Israel. Following their trip, participants are asked to write a short article about their experiences. This scholarship may be awarded only once. Click here to apply. Contact Beth Jarvis with any questions at bjarvis@bethisrael-aa.org.