Teen Perspectives
Teen Board is such an incredible opportunity because it allows teenagers to make a difference in a very quantifiable way and learn so much throughout the process. We are entrusted with a huge sum of money and given the responsibility of deciding how to use it. As a result, we become educated in the journey of grant-making and philanthropy, preparing us for any future endeavors in this field—and we also get to really help people in a way that most high schoolers can’t. We also come together and form a community as Jewish teenagers, which is something very special in and of itself.
– Samantha C.
Throughout the plentiful organizations for teens to be involved in all throughout metro Detroit, the Jewish Fund Teen Board truly provided an experience and perspective like no other. Being on this board surrounded by 25 different teens from diverse areas, schools, and backgrounds, we all instantly found common ground, based on an initiative within ourselves with the main goal of bettering our community together. Throughout our monthly meetings, we each became closer not only to each other but being the foundation for the future of the Detroit Jewish community itself. We embarked in meaningful discussion, alternative viewpoints, and a wide range of priorities that we wanted to tend to in order to help fulfill our message of Tikkun Olam. This opportunity has educated and inspired me so much, I decided to continue serving its mission and purpose as a Year 1 Facilitator to help teens truly absorb the impact that I was able to experience myself. Overall, the Jewish Fund Teen Board doesn’t just give experience, it prepares the next generation of leaders to serve the Jewish community in metro Detroit and beyond.
– Josh S.
Our mission statement was related to health and, specifically, mental health. This mission is important because without health, humans are nothing. we, as humans, cannot execute any task if we are not healthy enough to do so. We cannot perform acts of kindness, or be mensches if we are not healthy enough to leave our beds. Nor can we afford an education to teach us how to be menches if we are too sick to learn or too sick to work in order to afford education. All in all, everything in the world, every value we have as Jews circles back to one thing: being in good health. This proves the importance for our mission statement.
– Addie L.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience on the Teen Board. Not only did I learn about the grant-making process and the true meaning of philanthropy, but I came to understand so many of the issues within our community that are in the need of being addressed. The Teen Board gave me a new understanding of how many people are in need of help, and has helped me to further understand and appreciate how fortunate I am. Most importantly, the Teen Board has shown me the power that we, as Jewish teens, have to make a difference.
– Maddie F.
Not only is our work about us helping the people that might need it within the Jewish community and participating in “Tikkun Olam” or “healing the world,” but it is also a chance for us to emerge ourselves in the Jewish community in a way that we might not get to otherwise. Seeing different organizations and their goals as members of the Jewish community allows each member to understand how they can connect themselves to the Jewish community in ways other than actual religious practices.
– Mia F.
South Oakland Shelter Intern
*Through the generous funding of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, The Jewish Fund Teen Board is able to offer our alumni paid non-profit summer internships.
Working at the South Oakland Shelter was an experience I’ll always cherish and look back on. Working at the shelter gave me a feel of what working at an office setting is like and how it operates. It was my job to set up and plan a 5k/10k to raise money for the shelter so that they continue to move people into homes, and lower the homelessness rates in Metro Detroit. The run was on August 6th so throughout June and July I called former race participants to see if they would like to run this year, sent out emails for the run, advertised the race on websites, made a snapchat filter for the race, contacted various businesses for a possible sponsorships, and helped package envelopes. The day of the race on August 6th was unforgettable. It felt so good to look back and see how much my work meant. It was a great feeling and one that made me feel so good about myself. Overall, I had an amazing time and I hope I can work there again next summer! I loved the staff and learned how amazing the South Oakland Shelter really is.