Gesher LeKesher, a Jewish peer leadership program, is currently accepting applications from 11th and 12th grade teens (as of the 2024-2025 school year). As Gesher “Madrichim” (Peer Leaders), teens lead a group of seventh to ninth grade “Talmidim” (Learners) in outreaches addressing topics from a Jewish perspective including friendships, the impact of social media, peer pressure, prejudice, and antisemitism. This is a great opportunity to develop leadership skills which can be used in college and beyond while meeting and working with other Jewish teens in the Greater Princeton Mercer Bucks area. Last year’s peer leaders represented eight area high schools.
Gesher LeKesher meets six hours each month – two Monday night trainings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and an additional outreach held either Monday or Wednesday nights. Gesher LeKesher is partially sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks. For more information, visit www.jfcsonline.org/gesher-lekesher.
The Jewish Community Youth Foundation is celebrating its 22nd year giving back to local, national and global nonprofits. Teens in grades eight through 12 from the Mercer and Bucks Counties area learn about, experience and act upon Jewish values. The Jewish Community Youth Foundation is a project of Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County and is funded by the Ricky and Andrew J. Shechtel Philanthropic Fund.
The Jewish Community Youth Foundation is nationally-recognized and serves as a model for teen philanthropy programs around the country.  Each teen philanthropist donates their own money which gets matched and pooled with money they fundraise during the program.  Students meet to discuss Tzedakah, explore needs and the nonprofit organizations who address them. At year-end, each group decides how their dollars will be donated. Since the Jewish Community Youth Foundation’s inception, more than $1 million has been distributed to 72 recipient agencies.  The program offers teens an opportunity to develop leadership and presentation skills.
Registration is now open for all participants in eighth through 10th grades and returning participants in 11th and 12th grades.  Space is limited.  For more information, visit www.jfcsonline.org/jcyf.   Â
Community service hours available for both programs.
Contact Celeste Albert at (609) 987-8100 ext. 210 or CelesteA@jfcsonline.org with any questions.Â
