Jewish teens across the country have stories to tell. This is one of the reasons why we started the JTA Teen Journalism Fellowship — to gain access to communities whose diverse perspectives are crucial in covering the full breadth of stories impacting Jews.
Aaron Schwartz (he/him) is a junior at Harrison High School in Harrison, New York. He is part of his school newspaper, The Husky Herald and has previously been a part of DECA where he attended the states competition twice. Schwartz is very interested in his Jewish heritage which he explores by being a part of his religious school’s youth group program and by learning Hebrew. Other things he enjoys are travel and the Mets. Listening to the Mets broadcast started his interest in journalism.
Abby Zarahn (she/her) is a sophomore at Burlingame High School in California. She is the diversity coordinator of her school’s newspaper, The Burlingame B, and enjoys covering sports and writing feature stories. As an avid competitive swimmer, she spends a majority of the time at the pool training, teaching kids to love swim as much as she does, and volunteering for Special Olympics Northern California. Outside of the pool, she enjoys listening to music, making string bracelets, and being a madricha at her local temple.
Alex Brendle (she/her) is a junior at Midtown High School in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an associate managing news editor for her school newspaper, the Southerner and her favorite stories to write are in-depth news articles on legistlation. She is passionate about journalism and the awareness it can spread. When she is not reporting, she is a rock climbing coach, and participates in many extracirriculars and leadership clubs including as theater and chorus as well as volunteering for an adaptive sports program frequently.
Allison Mimeles (she/her) is a junior at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in New Jersey. She is an arts/lifestyle editor for her school newspaper. Aside from writing, she is a co-president of her school’s Jewish Culture Club, a leader of her school’s Model UN club, and a varsity tennis player. In her free time, Allison loves to volunteer, watch movies, spend time with her friends and family.
Anna Metzl (she/her) is a sophmore at Kent Denver School in Colorado. In addition to being a copy editor and writer for her school’s newspaper, the Sun Devil’s Advocate, she writes creativley. Outside of school and journalism, Anna could be found with her family and friends, playing soccer, at live music, running, skiing, hiking and being outdoors.
Ben Kleiman (he/him) is a junior at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, serving as the sports editor of his school’s newspaper, The Trinity Voice. In his free time, he listens to house music, praises Paolo Banchero for his mediocre performances and spends time with his dog, Coco. He also manages multiple fantasy football teams and keeps up with local current events.
Dalia Arch-Andorsky (she/her) is a junior at Denver Jewish Day School in Colorado. She is a staff writer for her school’s newspaper, The Paw, and participates in speech and debate on her school’s team. Outside of school, she enjoys playing the flute in a youth orchestra, running and reading.
Naama Raun (she/her) is a sophomore at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Baltimore, Maryland. She writes for the school newspaper, Kol BT, volunteers at the Jewish Library of Baltimore, and takes part in the local chapter of the Jewish Youth Climate Movement. To stay active, she runs for her school’s cross country team, plans to run for the track team in the spring, and hopes to start rock climbing outside of school. To explore her passion for art, she takes pottery classes, paints, draws and writes.
Naomi Granek Brown (she/her) is a junior at Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon. She is a Rising Voices Fellow as well as a Kol Koleinu Fellow and writer for her school newspaper, the Franklin Post, where she writes articles on a variety of topics, exploring the deeper implications of policies and the ways they impact people. Additionally, she is an avid swimmer who swims for both her club and high school teams, an active member of her synagogue. She also runs cross country for her high school, and during her free time can often be found reading, writing, swimming, or spending time with friends.
Noa Stewart (she/her) is a Junior at Northside College Prep in Chicago. She is an active member of her school’s Jewish Student Connection Club, as well as the president of Journalism Club, Feminism Club, and a virtual tutoring club. In her free time, Noa enjoys playing volleyball and playing music with her band which she is the drummer for.
Rania Levin (she/her) is a Freshman at Francis W. Parker High School in Chicago, IL. She is active in her school’s student government, as a Senate rep, her Model UN club, two affinity clubs – Jewish Student Connection and South Asian Student Alliance, and serving as the goalie for her school’s girls’ field hockey team. Outside of school, she works at Frankies (a teen and preteen fashion-forward clothing boutique), where she helps girls find their unique style.
Sara Lim (she/her) is a homeschooled junior from Randolph, NJ whose life largely revolves around writing, reading, consuming media, and being forever fascinated by the stories that shape people. She is a Solomon Fellow at the Tikvah Solomon Fellowship, and a Diller Fellow. As the editor-in-chief of a local college newspaper, she writes primarily media analysis pieces on famous films. Raised in a trilingual household, Sara has always been fascinated by literature, language and how storytelling molds history.
Sophie Bilu (she/her) is a junior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, California. Sophie enjoys writing, hiking, skiing, and playing sports, including water polo, tennis and swimming. Additionally, she writes for her school newspaper, volunteers as a ball kid at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, works as a lifeguard, and is a madricha at her synagogue’s religious school.
Tilly Raij (she/her) is a sophomore at Winter Park High School in Florida. She is in the International Baccalaureate program, serves as copy editor of the yearbook, and writes for the school newspaper and other local publications. She is also a member of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir and the jGirls+ Magazine Teen Editorial Staff. In her free time, Tilly reads, listens to music, and volunteers as a madricha at her synagogue’s Hebrew school.
