Teen Summit
on Israel and Antisemitism
This day-long summit, organized by and for teens with help from local JCCs and partners, unites Jewish high schoolers from across NYC, Westchester, and Long Island.
Through powerful sessions and hands-on experiences, the summit fosters Jewish joy, community, and confidence while addressing rising antisemitism and growing bias around Israel.
Stay tuned for details on registration!
Why this summit matters
The Summit is a direct response to the growing challenges Jewish teens face today, including rising antisemitism in schools and online spaces and increasing polarization around Israel. While college students and Jewish day school teens often benefit from structured support, Jewish teens in public and independent high schools remain underserved.
Rather than prescribing answers, the program equips teens with the tools, language, and support to explore, articulate, and own their Jewish and Israel narratives. The Summit employs a teen-led, adult-guided, identity-based model that fosters confidence, critical thinking, and belonging.
Program structure
Program development is led by a Teen Advisory Council in partnership with Education Director Rachel Fish, PhD. Throughout the day, participants engage in plenary learning, small-group breakout sessions, experiential workshops, and community-building activities. Teens choose sessions aligned with their interests, ensuring both ownership of the experience and exposure to diverse perspectives.
Core themes
Jewish Identity & Belonging
Understanding Antisemitism
Israel Education & Nuance
Leadership & Advocacy Skills
Lived Experience & Testimony
Community, Culture & Resilience
Long-term vision
The New York Jewish Teen Summit lays the foundation for a long-term, JCC-led strategy to address antisemitism and strengthen a thoughtful, nuanced Jewish connection to Israel among teens. By investing in education, identity-building, and themselves peer leadership, the Summit strengthens the next generation’s capacity to stand up for, for Israel, and for the Jewish people.
For more information
Contact Ester Abramovich at:
[email protected]