The Youth Community of the Jewish Community (JCYF) celebrated its 19th anniversary by distributing more than $ 36,000 to 21 nonprofits to 121 teens representing 12 synagogues and 29 district schools.
The JCYF is a project of the Jewish Family and Children Service (JFCS) of Great Mercer County and the Ricky and Andrew J. Philanthropic Foundation. Shekhtel.
According to a statement prepared by JFCS, since its inception 19 years ago, the program has paid $ 967,043.
Highlights of the evening of February 27 included a live quiz about this year’s program. The winner of the quiz nominated one of the JCYF recipient agencies as the winner of the additional grant.
The annual alumni award was presented to Robbinsville graduate Mandy Liechtenstein, class of 2020, for her work at Ilona University. She identified Maison, a Jewish response to the famine, as the recipient of her $ 360 prize.
Jonah Adler of Lawrenceville spoke about how wisdom, understanding and divine inspiration influence the important decisions we make, the statement said.
This year, teens from all of Mercer and Bucks counties met to discuss ways to change in local, national and international communities. They enjoyed meeting again in person and at Zoom, where they met with a wider range of agencies and resources, the statement said.
Part of this year’s curriculum included Amplify Our Impact 2021, which provided an opportunity to increase donations by appealing to family, friends and community contacts, the statement said.
Harrison Fenn of Bordentown, a 2022 class, said: “[JCYF’s] the value to Jewish youth is immeasurable as it teaches us from an early age to evaluate grants, allocate funds and, most importantly, cooperate. The JCYF is an organization that I would consider necessary for any novice leader to participate before they graduate. ”
Sophie Berman, a senior member of the JCYF and a Hamilton resident, recalled: “I have a desire to help others and give to those in need. JCYF taught me the importance of philanthropy and my Jewish identity. I have learned a lot of leadership skills that will help me when I move on to the next section of my life. ”
Scott Nahum, a West Windsor resident and alumni member, said: “I now admire social justice and attract volunteers to fight poverty in society and beyond.”
For more information, contact Celeste Albert, Teen Program Coordinator at JFCS Big Mercer County, at 609-987-8100, ext. 210 or celestea@jfcsonline.org; or visit www.jfcsonline.org/jcyf.
