(JTA) — A national and local foundation are teaming to launch a wide-ranging initiative for Jewish teens in the Denver-Boulder area.
The San Francisco-based Jim Joseph Foundation pledged to help fund the Colorado effort by matching local individual and foundation contributions totaling up to $2.26 million over four years. The Denver-based Rose Community Foundation has made an initial grant of $1.07 million over two years.
The initiative, which was launched Monday, is designed to increase the number and diversity of high school-age Jewish teens participating in Jewish education and engagement experiences, and to improve the quality and variety of experiences. It also seeks to expand the Jewish Student Connection network of Jewish clubs in secular schools, as well as the Moving Traditions organization’s teen discussion groups Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing! and “Shevet Achim: The Brotherhood.
Also, the effort aims to facilitate collaboration among Jewish youth groups and synagogues, increase training and support for youth professions, and provide micro-grants and support to Jewish teens interested in creating peer-led Jewish programs.
