ALUMNI

J-Teen Leadership enhances connections to Jewish values and serves as a catalyst to pursue additional Jewish study and community service work. Our alumni have the self-confidence to get involved in campus life and assume leadership positions at: Hillels, Fraternities/Sororities, Clubs and college-based Community Service Programs.

Our alumni are invited to join the Linked-In Group: J-Teen Leadership Alumni, and our Alumni Facebook Group– great ways to keep in touch personally and professionally.

Here is what some of our Alumni are saying about their J-Teen Leadership experiences:

Ethan Halpern, White Plains High School 2018
Parsons School of Design, Class of 2022
Time and time again I think to myself how special this organization is, it empowers teens to get involved in their Jewish community here in Westchester, and globally through social action. I am so passionate about J-Teen Leadership and it was an honor to be able to share my opinions and help further this special organization. It is unimaginable what my life would be without J-Teen Leadership.

Rachel Janis, Horace Greeley High School 2018
Tulane University Class of 2022
Something I love about J-Teen is the direct ties it has to Judaism, and I feel I have a better understanding of my Jewish roots because of it. I would not be the person I am today without the skills I've learned from my work with J-Teen.

Sophie Kleinhandler, Solomon Schechter High School 2018
Muhlenberg College Class of 2022
J-Teen Leadership has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities for growth. I have developed leadership skills through chairing projects, working on committees, participating in service trips and serving as the Local Projects Chair. I have always appreciated Judaism in a spritiual and religious way, but bringing meaning and purpose to it in a cultural and community light has been invaluable to me.

Isabella Lazar, Blind Brook High School 2018
University of Delaware Class of 2022
Through J-Teen Leadership, I have learned the true meaning of Judaism, and how each of us can make an impact and do so much to help change the world. I have enjoyed meeting new friends and volunteering at the same places each year.

Dina Sokol, Byram Hills High School 2018
Emory University Class of 2022
J-Teen Leadership has been an integral part of my life, and my high school experience would not have been the same without it. I've learned countless fundamental lessons about leadership, empathy, and selflessness, and I've also seen myself grow tremendously.

Jordan Sternthal, Blind Brook High School 2018
Emory University Class of 2022
I have met so many new and diverse people who have truly changed my life: from my co-members, to the elderly at Sarah Neuman, to the children at Edenwald. Not only did I have an impact on the community, but helping others had an impact on me. Through J-Teen Leadership I have gained leadership and public speaking skills, as well as new perspectives on life and Judaism. J-Teen has prepared me for my life experiences post graduation and has prepared me to take on grand tasks in the future.

Alix Weiss, Byram Hills High School 2018
Tulane University Class of 2022
I will forever be grateful to J-Teen for giving me an outlet to connect to Judaism, community service, and teens my age during the four years which I was discovering who I am and who I want to be. As I move onto the next stage of my life one thing is for sure: J-Teen Leadership can be attributed in some way to every positive change I bring to communities on my journey to be the change I want to see in the world.

Julia Zimmerman, Byram Hills High School 2018
Cornell University Class of 2022
The leadership opportunities that J-Teen gave me, such as Special Needs Chair and later, Membership Co-Chair, gave me the chance to explore my ablity to lead as I got older. J-Teen helped me realize that I have the potential to inspire and teach others, and now I'm using this knowledge as a mentor and leader in my community.

Hayley Girsky, Emory University 2017
I learned a lot from J-Teen. I gained valuable leadership and development skills. I learned how to plan events. I met lots of new interesting people. I heard many unique stories of victims as well as participated in many other eye opening experiences.

Hillary Rieger, Barnard College 2013
It made me want to get more involved in the Jewish communities elsewhere in my life. As I went into college, I explored different aspects of my Jewish identity, in particular, the politics of Israel and the Jewish American culture.

Katie Connolly, Tulane University 2016
I gained the skills of being able to meet new people and interact more comfortably, as well as the knowledge on how even as just teens we are able to connect on a deeper level through our shared link of Judaism as well as our wanting to create a better world through cooperation and understanding.

Jessica Landsberg, University of Massachusettes 2017
J-Teen truly impacted my understanding of Community service. Every time I helped with a project such as Midnight Run for example; I felt that I personally helped those around me. It’s one thing to go and give money to those in need…It’s another to actually do it hands on.

Amanda Bilski, Washington University in St. Louis 2012
(Hillel Takkana Fellowship to Guatemala, Philanthropy Vice-President of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority)
“I never realized until I got to campus how unusual it is for people our age to have such an impact. J-Teen gave me the tools to feel confident and be proactive as soon as I stepped on campus.”

Meredith Bilski, Brown University 2014
“J-Teen Leadership has provided me countless opportunities beyond my bat mitzvah to make a difference in the world through projects within our community and in others including those in New Orleans, Iowa, Nashville and even Cuba. Through my involvement with J-Teen, I am confident that I have built a firm foundation upon which I can continue to act and inspire others to action, now as a college student and for the rest of my life.”

Zach Goldstein, Northwestern University 2014
“During my four year experience with J-Teen Leadership I learned that every individual, no matter age, race, or background, has the potential to change the world. The real challenge, however, is harnessing and improving these skills and ultimately putting them to action. J-Teen has helped me find my place, learn my strengths, and make a difference. At Northwestern, I am on the Promotions Committee for our big fundraiser, Dance Marathon, raising money for the Children’s Heart Foundation.”