News from CJLTeens

Write! Act! Make a film!

Travel to Israel ! Rebuild New Orleans !

Do It All with Young Jewish Milwaukee —Live!

Young Jewish Milwaukee – Live! is a nationally acclaimed new youth new program developed with teen input. It offers teens the opportunity to produce something out in the real world that they can be proud of on a schedule so flexible that they can drop in and out as needed. Teens can build their resumes, earn service hours, and produce something that will help others while making new friends and being mentored by award winning facilitators. Because this programming is so revolutionary, it is being funded by the Covenant Foundation and the Helen Bader Foundation. Most of the activities are being offered at NO CHARGE; others are heavily subsidized.

Here’s a sneak peek at our 2008-2009 offerings:

Young Jewish Journalists’ Project – Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Editor, Elana Kahn-Oren will mentor teens in producing an insert to the March 6^th issue of Chronicle, similar to New York ’s Jewish Week’s Fresh Ink supplement. The teens will be involved in all the major facets of producing the insert from selling advertising to writing, editing, and proofreading articles. It will be a fantastic opportunity for teens interested in journalism to have a real world experience that will also be a terrific resume builder. Classes will meet monthly in the CJL Library and at the Chronicle offices beginning Sunday, November 9 at 3:30 pm in the CJL Library. This workshop is aimed at teens from 8-12^th grade and is FREE.

Young Jewish Activists’ Project —Teens will earn service hours as interns in both Jewish and secular non-profit organizations while attending monthly seminars that put their service experiences into a Jewish context through text study. Jennifer Saber, last year’s Gill Incentive for Teachers Award winner, will facilitate the Jewish content component and will also help coordinate the service experience in cooperation with Tikkun Ha Ir. Additionally, participants may help assemble Pesach packages for Maoth Chittin during the Teen Day of Social Action. This workshop is aimed at teens from 8-12^th grade and is FREE.

Teens will be offered the option of traveling to New Orleans to participant in Young Judaea’s Alternative Winter Break where they will work with clean up and rebuilding efforts there. This trip is aimed at teens from 9-12^th grade and will cost $450, plus travel fare. Teens will earn a minimum of 25 community service hours. Funding may soon be available to further lower the cost of this already heavily subsidized trip.

Our preliminary meeting will take place on Sunday, November 9 at 7:30 pm in the CJL Library.

Israel Alive Intensive—an intensive oral Hebrew and Israel studies program that will meet twice a month. It will be followed by a trip to Israel with an experiential component that will demand that participants use their Hebrew language skills. Teens will stay with Israeli families in the Sovev Kinneret for a 3-4 week period during the summer while participating in a service or an archaeological experience in the Tiberias area. Prior to the trip, our teens will establish relationships with Israeli teens through a “pen pal” program using Facebook, a blog or Wiki page or through videoconferencing. Trip alumni will also participate in a mifgash with Israeli teens. Yael Gal, this year’s winner of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, will facilitate the language and culture workshop portion of the intensive. She will be aided by this year’s Shin-Shinim. A parent/student meeting will be held on Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 pm in the CJL Library. The workshop will begin meeting on Monday, November 17 from 5:30-6:30 pm also in the CJL Library. This workshop is aimed at teens from 9-12^th grade and is FREE. The Israel trip will be subsidized, but not free.

Young Jewish Dramatists’ Project—A series of monologues about early 20^th century teen immigrants to Wisconsin, written and staged by local teens, will be produced in tandem with the Milwaukee’s Jewish Museum. Reva Fox, who has taught drama, adapted plays, and has worked for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and Universal Studios, will mentor the teens as they write the drama, design and build sets, make costumes and act in the presentation. Reva won Drama-Logue Awards for Best Director and Best Sound Design in 1998. Ellie Gettinger of the Jewish Museum will provide primary source materials connected with the Industrial Removal Project in which many older teen-aged immigrants from Eastern Europe were sent by German-Jewish social welfare agencies to the Mid-West from the East Coast. We will offer the workshop on three consecutive Sundays, from March 22 to April 5, 2009. This workshop is aimed at teens from 8-12^th grade and is FREE.

Young Jewish Graphic Novelists’ Project –Based on their study of what Jewish text has to say about such topics of interest as friendship, family, values, and romance, teens will create a graphic novel in which a Jewish view of relationships is portrayed.Alternatively, teens may construct their narratives based on Bible stories, midrash or Jewish history. Classes will begin this spring. This workshop is aimed at teens from 8-12^th grade and is FREE.

Young Jewish Filmmakers’ Project II—Encouraged by the success of Two Walks, last year’s film about Jewish identity and the crisis in Darfur funded by the Bader Foundation, we are again partnering with docUWM to create another student video. Teens will once again be mentored by Brad Lichtenstein and his graduate students. (Brad won the 2002 Dupont-Columbia University Award for Journalistic Excellence for his film Ghosts of Attica .) Jody Hirsh, Judaic Director of the JCC and 2005 winner of the Covenant Award for Outstanding Educator, will act as the Judaic content advisor. The workshop will meet at docUWM from June 21-July 3, with a preliminary orientation meeting on May 4^th. His workshop is aimed at teens from 8-12^th grade and will cost $75.

Two Walks can be found on Youtube and Jewtube

For further information or to register, please contact JoAnne Gaudynski at (414) 963-2728 or joanneg@milwaukeejewish.org.

Milwaukee's Jewish Teens Help Save the Day at Teen Day of Social Action 2009

On Sunday, April 5, thirty-two Jewish teens from the general community and from several area congregational schools and organizations joined forces to help Milwaukee 's needy Jewish families at the fourth annual Teen Day of Social Action, a joint project of Coalition for Jewish Learning (CJL) and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee . This year’s event focused on supporting Milwaukee's Moath Chitim project, an annual program that provides traditional Seder foods to those in need. This time honored project was in peril due to lack of funding. Thanks to the efforts of the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis and the Jewish Community Pantry as well as CJL and Tikkun Ha-Ir, families throughout the community donated matzah, grape juice and gefilte fish for families in need.

The day began as buses and cars dropped teens at the Milwaukee Jewish Home and Care Center , where they assembled to pack packages of Passover staples. A long line of people—most of them elderly Russian immigrants—awaited the teens as they arrived. The teens quickly went to work, forming themselves into an assembly line in order to put together the food packages. Over 500 packages of food were picked up at the Milwaukee Jewish Home and Care Center, and leftover packages were distributed to needy home s as well. All told, over 575 families received packages of Passover food.

When they finished packing, the teens discussed the impact the morning had on them. It was obvious that it had been a moving experience. One teen felt rewarded by “seeing the smile on people’s faces to be able to have their own Seder event if before today they may not have been able to afford it.” Another said “I think the most rewarding part was seeing how happy the people were about celebrating Passover. Yet another liked “helping others and seeing how much I was able to affect them.” One teen was proud “that I was doing something for other people and not just myself.”

Another “really loved seeing all of the bags that we made together! It was a group effort.”

The Coalition for Jewish Learning and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee would like to thank all the teen volunteers and youth serving agencies that helped make this day so meaningful.

View photos of other exciting CJL events.

For further information about this or any other CJL teen activity, contact JoAnne Gaudynski or call (414) 963-2728.

Cold Weather and Warm Feelings at Coalition for Jewish Learning's Fourth Annual Jewish Teen Day of Discovery

On Sunday, January 20^th, Milwaukee area teens braved the frigid weather to attend Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2008. It was a phenomenal day despite the cold!

JTDOD brought together teachers and learners from all over the community for an exciting day of Jewish study and shmoozing. The day began with the premiere of Two Walks, a co-production of the Coalition for Jewish Learning’s Young Jewish Filmmakers’ Project and docUWM, a division of the UW-M School of Fine Arts Film Department. Two Walks juxtaposes the Milwaukee Jewish community’s Walk for Israel against a youth walk for Darfur organized by two of the seven teen filmmakers. It is available on YouTube.com and JewTube.com.

During the first class session, teens attended a special presentation by Rabbi Mark Borovitz, the spiritual leader of Beit T’Shuvah of Los Angeles, which is both a congregation and a substance abuse rehabilitation center. Rabbi Borovitz’s presentation, which focused on the inherent holiness of every Jewish soul and on his own personal journey from addict and con man to healer and rabbi, had a tremendous emotional impact on the audience. Later, teens participated in their choice of a break-out session with Rabbi Borovitz or of seven different educational workshops lead by a variety of local educators. The Program Book with session descriptions and bios is available online.

View Kipp Friedman’s photos of this event.

View photos of other exciting CJL events.

See Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle coverage of Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2008.

For further information about this or any other CJL teen activity, contact JoAnne Gaudynski or call (414) 963-2728.

Two Walks, CJL’s Young Jewish Filmmaker’s Project’s New Film, Debuts at Jewish Teen Day of Discovery

Two Walks, a joint production of CJL’s Young Jewish Filmmaker’s Project and docUWM, a division of the UWM Peck School of the Arts, made its debut at Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2008. This short film, created by seven middle and high school students, explores the Jewish obligation to respond to genocide. It juxtaposes the Milwaukee Jewish community’s Walk for Israel against a youth walk for Darfur organized by two of the student filmmakers and tells the story of how these teens changed attitudes in Milwaukee .

The program, which one student said prepared him well to attend Universal Studios film camp, allowed graduate students in film to meet with the teens one and a half hours once a week at UWM. Using professional grade equipment, students acquired skills in pre-production (brainstorming/research/ storyboarding), production (filming and lighting) and post-production (editing). The film has been uploaded to the Internet and will be screened publicly in various venues and entered in various student competitions later this year.

The student filmmakers included Rachel Herman, Noah Rowlett, Ari Rothenberg, Maddie Mandel, Eric Hagen, Hannah Musickant, and Noah Laufer. Claire Tipton and Max Fantle also participated.

Read Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle coverage of the Young Jewish Filmmaker’s Project.

View Two Walks at YouTube.com, or JewTube.com.

Area Jewish Teens Make a Difference at Teen Day of Social Action 2007

On Sunday, March 25, approximately forty Jewish teens gathered to help the needy at the second annual Jewish Teen Day of Social Action, a joint project of Coalition for Jewish Learning and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee.

The day began at the Kosher Meat Klub warehouse, where teens gathered to pack Passover food to distribute to Milwaukee's poor Jewish families. As teens arrived, they were greeted by a long line of people—most of them elderly Russian immigrants—who were waiting in the fog to receive packages of kosher chicken and other Passover staples. The teens quickly went to work, forming themselves into an assembly line in order to put together the food packages. About 300 people came to pick up food for Passover, and leftover packages were distributed to needy homes as well.

But the day did not end there. The teens stopped for lunch at Lake Park Synagogue and then split into groups to travel to various social agencies around the city. Teens could chose from several locations, depending on their interests. Volunteers who liked to work with children went to the La Causa Emergency Nursery, a shelter with social services and programs for families. Others went to the Guest House, an emergency men's shelter that offers meals, counseling and free classes. There they worked in the kitchen and helped sort food. At Meta House, the teens ran a treasure hunt and made collages to hang up in people’s apartments. At Pathfinders, they joined the clientele in making a peace banner.

Teens later returned to Lake Park Synagogue to discuss the events of the day. It was clear that they felt both gratified and challenged. Many said, “The helping just felt good!” and “It was fun to see children smile.” Some teens were surprised to find the children they met at the various agencies to be so strong and resilient. Others found knowing that they could make a difference just be being there and being friendly to be the biggest lesson of the day. They were truly surprised at how little they had to do to make an impact.

Coalition for Jewish Learning and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee would like to thank all the teen volunteers, adult mentors and agencies who helped make this day so meaningful.

View Kipp Friedman’s photos of this event.

View photos of other exciting CJL events.

Read Riverside High School senior Chana Ellman’s article about Teen Day of Social Action 2007 in JVIBE Magazine.

See Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle coverage of Teen Day of Social Action.

For further information about this or any other CJL teen activity, contact JoAnne Gaudynski or call (414) 963-2728.

Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2007 –A Resounding Success!

On Sunday, January 28^th, over 150 students attended Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2007. It was a phenomenal day!

Planned with teen input, Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2007 was an exciting day of Jewish study and shmoozing. During the first session, teens enthusiastically participated in eight different educational workshops lead by a variety of local educators. This year's topics included Israeli teen life, Jewish life on college campuses, Jewish humor and the media, dealing with the stresses of teen life, women in the Bible and what Judaism has to say about abortion and contraception, love and marriage and alcohol. (For more details, see our on line program book.)

Then, they socialized over a kosher lunch, followed by a special presentation by Rabbi Tovia Singer of Outreach Judaism and four lighter, interactive activities—Israeli dancing and self-defense, Jewish cooking, and a special break-out session with Rabbi Singer. Rabbi Singer’s presentation, which focused on tactics used by missionary groups to convert young Jews and dancing and self-defense featured an interactive role-playing session in which the teens actually believed that they were speaking with a real Jews for Jesus missionary, had a tremendous emotional impact on the audience. It was amazing to see the teens debating with the “missionary.”

Teen response to the event has been overwhelmingly positive. A walk around the building on Sunday morning revealed all our classrooms filled with laughter and learning. During meal and social times, there were smiles all around as the teens enjoyed the day and each other’s company.

View Kipp Friedman’s photos of this event.

View photos of other exciting CJL events.

Read Chana Ellman and Julie D.’s article about Jewish Teen Day of Discovery in JVIBE Magazine.

See the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle coverage of Jewish Teen Day of Discovery.

For further information about this or any other CJL teen activity, contact JoAnne Gaudynski or call (414) 963-2728.

Teens Explore Their Jewishness and Creativity at Jewish Teen Day of the Arts

On Sunday, October 22, 2006, Milwaukee area teens explored their Jewish identities through the arts at Coalition for Jewish Learning’s Jewish Teen Day of the Arts. The event took place at Bucketworks, a playground for big kids with performance space, a gallery, art workshops, computer labs, recording studio, woodshop, and more. Bucketworks created a value gathering especially for CJL to help Jewish teens bring their values and reflections about Judaism to life through performance and creative play. And play the teens did!

The teens began with an exercise called Flow, which developed their awareness of two different kinds of energy—yang, the kind for getting things done, and yin, the kind for discovering what to do. They then created You Costumes, wearable creations that helped the teens from various schools to get to know themselves and each other. Finally, they had the core value gathering experience--brainstorming questions they would ask Judaism if they could interview it. They generated dozens of questions including, "What's your favorite food?" "Where do you see yourself in 100 years?" and "What languages do you speak?" After picking a favorite few to answer, each group made use of the nearly limitless art supplies to produce skits and presentations that answered those questions. Finally, the day ended with the teens sharing what they learned. In the meantime, Bucketworks created a webpage and video that recorded the events of the day.

According to Riverside University High School senior, Chana Ellman, “the best parts were the creativity, the originality, and the chance to run wild in a huge playground of art and expression.” And from the looks of things, everyone else agreed!

Read Chana Ellman’s article about her experience at Jewish Teen Day of the Artsin JVIBE Magazine.

Visit Bucketworks’ photo-gallery of the event.

Read the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle coverage of Jewish Teen Day of the Arts.

See pictures of this event and other fun CJLTeens events.

For further information about this or any other CJL teen activity, contact JoAnne Gaudynski or call (414) 963-2728.

Teens earned credit for service hours while learning about social action from a Jewish perspective. The morning program began with welcome speeches and a discussion of poverty and the environment by Rabbi Shlomo Levin. Teens then participated in their choice of two activities. Some learned how families survive on a drastically limited budget at the Hunger Task Force’s simulation "Food for Today." One teen called the most challenging part of this session “imagining having to feed a family of eight with only $11.00 a day in real life.” Other teens identified how their talents could be used to help others at a workshop with playwright and director Sherri Williams-Pannell and David McKinney, Vice President of Alumni Programs for Public Allies.

After a vegetarian and dairy kosher lunch, the teens volunteered at seven different agencies that work in the areas of poverty, hunger, shelter, health issues and the environment. They painted, helped with indoor and outdoor cleanup of the agency sites, packed boxes of kitchen supplies for formerly homeless people moving into apartments, and did an art project with homeless children and their mothers. Each of the work assignments at the various agencies was linked to a Jewish value.

The day opened the eyes of many of the participants. Some teens learned about “how the poor manage their money” and “what life is like as an adult.” Others realized “through the Hunger Task Force simulation that hunger is real.” By “seeing how hard it was for people to …be homeless” and “seeing what the [homeless] women went through,” teens understood “how hard the poor’s life is.”

Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable day. One teen had a great time “playing Connect Four with a young boy and seeing how we both had fun.” Another was moved at “seeing how happy they were to see us.” Everyone loved “the feeling of helping others” or “helping the community.” One teen was proud of “the fact that I helped someone start new.” Another said, “The environment was friendly and peaceful, [and there were] nice leaders and staff members.”

Students will be able to continue these service-learning relationships with the people and agencies they meet that day. In fact, the teens that went to Meta House had such a great time that they are already planning to return for another visit!

Read Michelle Langer's article in JVIBE Magazine about her experience at Teen Day of Social Action.

What had 23 sessions, 20 topics, 19 presenters,
and 169 Jewish teens in the same place at one time?

Read national teen publication JVIBE Magazine's coverage of the event ONLINE, featuring the writing of Milwaukee teens Gerad Bandos, Samantha Bass, and Michelle Langer by clicking here.

Teens Enjoy a Day of Food, Fun, Friends and Learning at the Second Annual Jewish Teen Day of Discovery

Planned with teen input, it brought together teachers and learners from all over the community for an exciting day of Jewish study and socializing. They were joined by teens that came from as far as Green Bay, De Pere, Beloit, Egg Harbor, and the greater Madison area. Presenters came from all walks of Jewish life. From Chassidus to Reform, the various streams of Judaism were represented by teachers, rabbis, community workers, authors, Israeli emissaries, entertainers and journalists.

The teens enjoyed icebreakers and brunch, followed by a wide variety of learning sessions. They were offered 23 different sessions on 20 topics-some topics were so popular that we had to repeat them! This year's topics included Jewish art and cooking, Israeli teen life, music, dancing and self-defense, anti-Semitism, Jewish humor and the media, and what Judaism has to say about sexuality, love and marriage and alcohol. Teens told us that there were almost too many choices! The sessions were followed by a delicious gourmet kosher pasta lunch and a hilarious performance of ComedySportz tailored just for Jewish teens.

Channel 18 News cameras recorded all our classrooms filled with enthusiastic students actively involved in learning and doing. The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle also covered the event. Click here to read it; view our gallery of Kipp Friedman's photos of Jewish Teen Day of Discovery 2006.