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URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project Curriculum

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URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project Curriculum URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project Curriculum Written by Dana Sheanin, MSW/MAJCS TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction: Creating a Congregational Teen Foundation Page 1 Session1: Parents and Teens Page 6 Session 2: Jewish Values and Teen Philanthropy Page 10 Session 3: Understanding Communal Need Page 15 Session 4: Philanthropy Guest Speaker Page 17 Session 5: Building Consensus Page 19 Session 6: Choosing a Funding Priority Page 24 Session 7: Creating a Fundraising Plan Page 27 Session 8: Philanthropy, Activism and the RAC Page 30 Session 9: Understanding Organizational Mission Page 35 Session 10: Request for Proposals Page 40 Session 11: Service Learning Page 44 Session 12: Developing Criteria for Proposal Evaluation Page 46 Session 13: Proposal Reading Page 50 Session 14: Site Visits or Applicant Interviews Page 51 Session 15: Final Allocation Decision Page 56 Session 16: Evaluation Page 67 Session 17: Siyyum Page 68 Appendix I: Frequently Asked Questions For Teens Page 69 Appendix II: Sample Program Budget Page 71 Appendix III: Sample Student Application Page 72 Appendix IV: Sample Student Contract Page 73 Appendix V: Sample Jewish Texts for Study Page 74 Appendix VI: Request for Proposals Samples Page 82 Appendix VII: Five Stages of Service Learning Page 88 URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project INTRODUCTION: CREATING A CONGREGATIONAL TEEN FOUNDATION August 13, 2012 PREFACE The URJ’s Teen Philanthropy pilot project, now entering its second year, is a critical component of our Campaign for Excellence in Youth Engagement. Launched in December 2010, the campaign emerged from our Movement’s acknowledgement that we must create a wide range of innovative ways for teens to participate, if we are to increase the retention of middle and high school students in congregational life beyond b’nai mitzvah. The URJ is tremendously appreciative of the commitment of the staff and leadership of the six congregations that participated in the year one pilot, as well as those joining us for year two. We are also indebted to the Jewish Teen Funders Network, and its Director of Youth Philanthropy, Stefanie Zelkind, for providing us with both seed funding and a rich array of materials from which to draw upon. We particularly appreciate JTFN’s awarding of a second year of grant funding. Finally, we also wish to express our gratitude to the following for sharing their materials and expertise with us: B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program: Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix Door and Ladder Society Atlanta Jewish Teen Philanthropy Initiative Jewish Community Teen Foundation: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties Jewish Community Youth Foundation: Princeton ,New Jersey Jewish Youth Philanthropy Program: Jewish Federation of Greater Washington “Money Matters - Jewish Ethics of Money and Business” URJ Press Rose Community Foundation: Denver, Colorado Temple Isaiah: Lafayette, California Temple Sinai: Atlanta, Georgia INTRODUCTION What makes teen philanthropy a compelling entry point to Jewish engagement for post b’nai mitzvah students? A decade of research now suggests that experiential education has the most profound impact on Jewish identity development. However, in addition to what they learn Jewishly, participation in a teen foundation gives students the opportunity to build friendships, strengthen their leadership skills and take action on values that we know are important to them 1 URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project during adolescence. When structured well, teen foundations have the opportunity to impact not only the participants, but their parents, adult advisors and other members of the congregation as well. A teen foundation is distinct from the broad notion of teen philanthropy. The Jewish Teen Funders Network defines a teen foundation as follows: “A group of teenagers sponsored by a Jewish organization, working collaboratively with adult support to build consensus around an area of funding interest, shape a Request for Proposals to solicit grant applicants, and thoughtfully and strategically allocate money to organizations who apply.” As teen participants will learn in Session 1: Jewish Values and Teen Philanthropy, the creation of a teen foundation is a clear expression of tzedakah. While the giving of money may be part of the work of tikkun olam or g’milut hasadim, honoring the obligation to give financial resources in order to create a more just world is at the core of this effort. Each of the pilot organizations will wrestle with whether to direct teens to give only to Jewish organizations, or to allocate more broadly. Either decision is appropriate here, and we encourage those making the decision to explore the texts used throughout the sessions and in the appendix that speak to the issue of how we decide where to give. TEEN FOUNDATION GOALS The Year One pilot cohort articulated the goals for this project: 1. To enable teens to understand and act upon the core Jewish values of Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam and G’milut Hasadim through the creation of a teen foundation 2. To support healthy adolescent development by offering a safe environment, engaging activities, opportunities for leadership and relationships with trusted adults 3. To build a strong sense of community among teens 4. To help teens establish associations with nonprofit organizations in their local community and in Israel 5. To influence and create a new generation of Jewish philanthropists [and activists] STRUCTURE OF THE SESSIONS All sessions are designed to be completed in one hour; however they can be expanded with more discussion to a 90-minute session if more time is available in your setting. The sessions may also be combined for those working with a longer block of time. The important part is to 2 URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project cover the key themes. Please feel free to make choices about how to use the suggested activities, based on your teens and your structure. Here you will find an outline for each session with session goals, suggested activities, handouts as required, and information about where to find additional resources. Given the skilled nature of those participating in our pilot cohort, you are not receiving scripted lessons. Additional consultation and support are available on any topic that you may need more guidance on in order to make the sessions your own. Please be aware that this year’s material and session order have been revised based on the feedback received from year one participants. Each congregation will offer 15-20 sessions depending on your calendar. The sessions that are optional are marked accordingly. For those considering beginning the program with a retreat or Shabbaton, sessions may be combined, depending on the amount of time available. Sessions should follow approximately this schedule: 1. Parents and Teens Talk About Philanthropy (OPTIONAL parent session) 2. Jewish Values and Teen Philanthropy 3. Understanding Communal Need 4. Developing a Personal Approach to Philanthropy – Guest Speaker 5. Building Consensus 6. Choosing Our Funding Priority 7. Creating Our Fundraising Plan 8. Philanthropy, Activism and the RAC (OPTIONAL) 9. Understanding Organizational Mission 10. The Request for Proposals 11. Off site service learning activities (OPTIONAL) 12. Off site service learning activities (OPTIONAL) 13. Developing Criteria for Proposal Evaluation 14. Proposal reading 15. Site visit or applicant interviews 16. Site visit or applicant interviews 17. Final Allocation Decisions 18. Evaluation and Next Year’s Program (for new or continuing teens) 19. Siyyum 20. Overflow as needed Community building among teens is an important component of the teen philanthropy initiative. Each session should begin with an opening ritual to build comfort among 3 URJ-JTFN Teen Philanthropy Project participants and link the sessions together. For your opening ritual, please consider one of the following options: 1. A niggun of your choice 2. A text study of your choice (See list in appendix) 3. An opportunity to reflect on a question, either in pairs, or through journal writing (See list in appendix) If your teens do not already know each other, the first session should also begin with an icebreaker activity, following the opening ritual. For a collection of icebreakers, please visit the NFTY website: www.nfty.org/resources/mc/mixersandicebreakers It would be ideal to conclude each session with a closing ritual as well. Given the short period of time available, you may consider either a “whip around the room” asking teens to offer one word about their experience in this session, or one word that describes how they are feeling as the session ends. You might also consider asking each to turn to the person on their right and share one thing they heard today that they would like to think more about. WORDS OF WISDOM FROM YEAR ONE PARTICIPANTS Before you begin, please consider the following important lessons learned by our Year One congregations! Choose a staff person who will relate well to your teens. The individual running the program is critical in terms of setting high expectations and holding teens accountable. Encourage consistent attendance. Get parents on board to insure participating teens make a real commitment to participate. Building community is a key goal of the teen philanthropy initiative: don’t overlook the opening and closing rituals, and think about what else you can do to build friendship among participants. Consider a service learning activity or trip as another strategy for building community among teens. Make use of the speakers available in your community. Teens learn a great deal from dialogue with adults. Be sure to incorporate some element of “active doing” in as many sessions as possible. Find ways to combine the session hours – two hour sessions are ideal. Let the teens fail and make their own mistakes! Consider choosing student leaders to pilot the program. Often times a smaller group of very committed teens is more effective than requiring all teens to participate. Consider offering the foundation initiative at an alternative time of day, to appeal to teens that might not otherwise participate.
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