Jewish Student Connection’s Clubs Achieving Success

Teens Increasingly Create their own Jewish Experiences and Communities

San Francisco – Entering its fourth year of offering in-school educational experiences for Jewish teens, a new study released today demonstrates that Jewish Student Connection (JSC) is achieving positive outcomes as a catalyst for Jewish teens to take ownership of their Jewish future. The study, conducted by BTW informing change, looked specifically at the programmatic and organizational growth of JSC in Chicago, South Florida, Westchester/Connecticut and Denver from 2010 - 2012.

“JSC has changed my life in so many ways,” says Cali Willis of George Washington High School in Denver. “From helping me map out my future decisions, to helping me grow as a Jew, JSC has proven to be my main support. It was not long ago that I walked through the halls at my public school feeling slightly different from the rest of my peers. Whether this feeling came from the Jewish Star I wear around my neck, I always felt different. I never walked through the halls of my school feeling confident in my Jewish identity. But JSC has been the most positive and motivating experience of my life.”

In each region, JSC’s network of Jewish culture clubs in public and private high schools are guided by full-time Jewish educator-advisers who focus their attention on building one-on-one relationships with participants. Unlike other Jewish education offerings for teens, JSC’s network of 65 school-based clubs meets conveniently on their high school campuses and require no membership or up front commitment.

Key findings show that JSC helps to shape the teens’ Jewish journeys:

Participants

60% report a positive change in their understanding of Judaism and Jewish life.
67% have increased their interest in learning more about Israel
71% report an increase in wanting to learn more about Judaism or what it means to be Jewish.
Read the full study here.

“The results from this evaluation are very promising for a young organization,” says Ellen Irie, principal of BTW informing change. “JSC’s ability to touch so many Jewish and non-Jewish teens speaks to how well aligned the program is with today’s youth. The findings show that regular participation in JSC provides Jewish teens with an ongoing Jewish learning experience and a Jewish community. The excellent program staff is a key to this, as they relate exceptionally well to students, develop students’ trust, and cultivate student leadership.”

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