3 Adat Reyim Teens Participate in JYPI

June 1, 2010

100 Local Teens Fund $85,000 in Grants to Nonprofits World-wide
through the Partnership’s Six Youth Philanthropy Groups

3 Adat Reyim Teens Participate in the JYPI Program Blending Grant-making with Jewish Values

Rockville, MD – One hundred local teens just completed this year’s grant cycle with the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning’s Jewish Youth Philanthropy (JYPI) Program. The JYPI program provides the opportunity for teens to engage in the grant-making process and to become active community leaders, empowered citizens and responsible Jewish adults.

Included in the group of teens were three congregation members – Lia M., Sami R. and Ryan A. They met with teens from across the Washington DC Metro area to learn about the principles of philanthropy, explore the needs of society and then make a group funding decision in response to grant proposals submitted by a variety of local, national and international nonprofits – both in and out of the organized Jewish community.

“With so many pressures on teens, JYPI is a program that enables teens to get involved personally in philanthropy and to broaden their perspectives as Jews regarding individual and communal responsibility,” said Dr. James Hyman, CEO of the Partnership. “Many alumni have noted that this type of experience – from the non-profits they visited to the experience of reaching consensus for funding – has carried a lifelong impact for them.”

“Teens who come to the JYPI program do so with such energy and excitement about the opportunity to give back to our community,” said Leah Siskin, Director of the JYPI Program at the Partnership. “They make careful and thoughtful decisions, and they truly understand the impact their decisions have on others.”

Since JYPI’s creation in 2000, more than 2,000 teens have participated in the program, awarding nearly $675,000 in grants to 180 non-profit organizations and completing over 10,000 hours of community service. The JYPI program qualifies for Student Service Learning (SSL) credit counting toward most high schools’ graduation requirements. Please visit www.pjll.org for a full list of the 2010 JYPI grantees, and contact Leah Siskin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information about the program.

partnership

The Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning is a non-profit, communal agency that takes an innovative approach to Jewish learning. We look beyond books and classrooms, and deliver high quality programs and ideas that integrate Judaism into daily life, making Jewish learning joyful at all ages. By providing research that identifies key challenges and creative solutions; offering dynamic programs through local partners or our own staff; advancing local educators’ professional development; and collaborating with other community organizations, our staff of nationally recognized educators provides the vision, leadership and resources for real change in the Washington Metro area and beyond. For more information call 240-283-6200 or visit www.pjll.org