Teen Tov brings partners together for increased teen engagement
'Teen Tov is yet another representation of the desire in our community to experience Judaism together, to be in community, to have teens coming together, being proud, and feeling supported'
A partnership predicated on strengthening community is affording teens new opportunities for growth. Teen Tov, a program created by Community Day School and Our Giving Kitchen, builds on nearly a year of regular programming between the organizations.
The exclusive volunteer sessions, held once a month, have enabled CDS parents and students to work alongside OGK staff, chop vegetables, season dishes and cook meals for food insecure neighbors.
Casey Weiss, CDS’ head of school, and Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld, OGK’s co-founder and director, told the Chronicle they recognized the partnership’s value and began strategizing ways to enhance the program.
Over a series of conversations, the two Jewish professionals, along with OGK’s Bassie Rosenfeld, identified a gap in programming: Community Day School graduates and Pittsburgh-area high school students lacked an afterschool setting where they could engage in chessed, study Torah and develop advanced conversational Hebrew in one place.
There were programs that offered one or two of those opportunities, Weiss said, but nothing that brought them all together.
While the community offers teens meaningful ways to promote leadership, focus on Israel or give back to others — whether through Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh or Diller Teen Fellows, Rosenfeld said — Teen Tov is strategically adding to those options. “We’re being very intentional about incorporating this piece of Jewish learning and about the partnership with Community Day and the program we’re going to put in.”
Weiss said she encourages CDS graduates to join youth groups, work at summer camps and take part in the “amazing opportunities” already available throughout the community. Where Teen Tov fits into the puzzle is that it’s designed to meet the needs of busy teens, she added.
“It’s really hard for high schoolers to manage their coursework, and their sports, or their musical endeavors, or their instruments,” she said. “We really went back and forth a lot about what the model should be.”
With an awareness of the demographic and the demands on parents, organizers developed a plan to support teens, especially CDS graduates, Weiss said. Post-graduation, many CDS alumni are looking for ways to continue earlier practices, like speaking Hebrew, socializing and volunteering.
Given that realization, Teen Tov was created.
The Jewish learning and living experience will roll out Sept. 2, and occur every other Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at OGK through May 19. Registration is $360. The program is open to all Jewish teens grades 9-12.
Weiss described Teen Tov as “hopefully one of many opportunities” the community offers its youth.
“Teen Tov is yet another representation of the desire in our community to experience Judaism together, to be in community, to have teens coming together, being proud, and feeling supported,” she said.
The Jewish day school leader credited parents with driving the initiative and said, “I think it’s so wonderful that they want their children to continue to be engaged.”
What the program cooks up is yet to be determined, Weiss said. In the meantime, “I think it’s going to be an absolutely beautiful experience.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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