The Center for Jewish Life and Learning - More than just MAKOM

The Center for Jewish Life and Learning (CJLL) is the new name of the Department of Jewish Education and this year we have a multitude of ways for every Jewish teen to develop their Jewish identity and remain connected to the Jewish community.

For more information about any of the following programs offered by the CJLL, contact Rich Walter at 203-387-2424x 300 or rwalter@jewishnewhaven.org.

MAKOM at the JCC
Open House BBQ on September 15th at 7:00 PM - Classes Start October 6th -
Grades 8-12

MAKOM offers a variety of courses and mini courses for students to choose from, including, The Artist in You, Virtual History, Under the Cover, Beyond Oy Vey, Comic Book Bible: In the Beginning, The Coen Brothers and MAKOM Jams. All MAKOM classes emphasize learning through doing and real life application of concepts by students.

Madrichim (Teacher’s Aides) Institute - Learn and Earn
Grades 9-12

In partnership with Brandeis University, the Madrichim Institute is for teens working as teacher’s aides in Sunday schools, Hebrew schools, or local Jewish pre-schools. Participants will meet one Sunday a month for a seminar in a variety of educational techniques, including drama, the arts, experiential learning, and a Sunday trip to New York City to learn about museum education.
Each participant will take what they have learned back to their schools as well as earn a $200 stipend for successfully completing the program.

The Madrichim Institute begins on Sunday September 12th from 10:00 -12:00 at the JCC.

Chaver (Friend)
Grades 8-12

Perfect for teens with community service requirements for their school
Explore the Jewish values of spending time with the elderly and sick. You will be trained in how to visit with these individuals as you make deep connections in local hospitals and senior housing facilities.

Chaver will meet the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the JCC or Towers beginning October 14

A joint initiative of the CJLL, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven, Yale New Haven Hospital, and Tower One/Tower East

Panim el Panim (Face to Face)
January 16-18, 2011
Grades 10-12
Cost: $750

Panim el Panim challenges students to become active in social and political issues. The 3 day retreat in Washington D.C. includes interaction with policy experts, integration of Jewish values and public policy issues, exposure to Capitol Hill, and visits to historic sites
Teens are required to participate in the Just Action mini class at MAKOM from 8:00 – 9:00 PM, December 1 – January 12.

TACT: Teens Acting for Community and Tzedakah
Grades 8-12

TACT is a leadership youth council that plans and promotes community service activities such as the Philadelphia Community Service Trip, (February 20-21, 2011) and J-Serve Youth Community Service Day(April 17, 2011).
The leadership council meets once per month at the JCC

Adopt-A-Survivor
Grades 10-12

Take a journey through the life of a Holocaust survivor that will allow you to examine and absorb their attitude, spirit and soul.
Through meetings, interviews, and listening to the survivor’s testimony, you will learn about their childhood, their lives, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Adopt-A-Survivor meets Wednesday evenings during MAKOM

Build A Tzedakah Fund
Grades 7 – 12

Build-A-Tzedakah is a tool for teens to give tzedakah, and get involved in community service and social action projects.
Even if you already had your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, you can still create a lasting legacy by establishing a BTF fund.

• You create a new philanthropic fund at the Jewish Foundation in your own name by contributing $600

• A generous community donor provides a $400 match, so your fund totals $1,000

• Once a year, you pick a qualified charity(or charities) to donate money to from your fund

• You can contribute more to your fund at any time --a great use of money from gifts or work

The Jewish Foundation will invest your fund, track additions and process your charitable recommendations. Once a year, at Hanukah time, the Jewish Foundation will send you an annual summary of your fund’s activity and ask you which charitable organization you want to support.