The Teen Jews of Color Fellowship is a transformative experience for 11th and 12th graders that offers an inclusive and vibrant space for participants to explore and engage with all their intersecting identities, form community, cultivate leadership skills, and create meaningful projects based on their learnings.
Is This Fellowship for Me?
We welcome teens with a range of diverse Jewish identities including (but not limited to) mixed race Jews, transracial adoptees, Asian, Black, Latine, Sephardic, Mizrachi, Persian Jews, and many others.
What Does This Cohort Do?
At the heart of this fellowship lies a commitment to creating affinity spaces—spaces that provide a sense of belonging and understanding among individuals who share common experiences. Within these spaces, Jewish teens of color are encouraged to explore their personal narratives, discuss the intersections of their identities, and forge deep connections with their peers. Participants will emerge empowered, equipped with the tools to shape a future that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.
Throughout the 9-month program (September -April) participants embark on a journey of personal growth and leadership development, meeting both virtually and at 1-2 in-person retreats. In addition to monthly meetings, fellows receive mentorship from an adult Jews of Color who shares some their identities and/or interests. Mentors guide, support and inspire participants as they integrate learning from the fellowship into their daily lives and fellowship projects.
The fellowship emphasizes community building and empowering participants to bring about positive change in their home communities. Through project-based learning participants are encouraged to integrate their learning into forms of creative expression, advocacy, and community building that align with their interests.
At the heart of this fellowship lies a commitment to creating affinity spaces—spaces that provide a sense of belonging and understanding among individuals who share common experiences. Within these spaces, Jewish teens of color are encouraged to explore their personal narratives, discuss the intersections of their identities, and forge deep connections with their peers. Participants will emerge empowered, equipped with the tools to shape a future that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.
If you would like us to contact you when applications are live for our next cohort, please fill out our interest form and you'll be the first to know! Questions? Email Rabbi Isaama Goldstein-Stoll
Program Cost
Historically Jewish programming comes with a cost that can be inaccessible to groups who have been historically marginalized. This includes lower income families, Families of Color, families with members who live with disabilities, single parent families, and other often disenfranchised groups. Our funders at Shards of Light Foundation agree that diversity is essential, and do not want cost to be a barrier to participation in the Teen Jews of Color Fellowship.
The actual cost of this program is $5,000 per person. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer the program at a significantly reduced base price of $500. To ensure that the fellowship is accessible to all who wish to apply, we request that all families with the means to do so contribute above the base price.
We are committed to making the program accessible to all regardless of ability to pay, and we will work with Fellows and their families privately to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation. If you would like to speak privately about program pricing for your family, please reach out to Rabbi Kelly Whitehead.
Please note that the application asks you to submit credit card information. Your credit card will not be charged and payment will not be processed until you are accepted into the fellowship. You will receive an email upon your acceptance, at which point your card will be charged. If you prefer to pay a lower rate, please be in touch with Logan before submitting your application.
The Teen Jews of Color Fellowship is generously supported by the Shards of Light Foundation.