Engagement Funder Collaborative , Federation is funding and advancing the San Diego Jewish communal approach to teen mental health and wellbeing - known as Jewish Teens Thrive . Federation has initiated a working group of professionals to address this issue and implement new strategies and programs to support teens and their parents , guardians , and educators . Currently , Federation is fielding two surveys to develop a baseline understanding of teen mental health and wellbeing in the community , one for teens and another for parents / educators / adults who work with teens . The surveys are accessible at jewishinsandiego . org / teens / thrive .
Federation also hired seven local teens to conduct research and focus groups about the hearts and minds of local Jewish teens as part of its Peer Leaders Fellowship . These teens will work to critically examine issues facing their peers , including antisemitism and mental health . They will also uncover what Jewish teens want from their Jewish community and what being Jewish means to them .
Federation also invests significantly in leadership development to ensure a strong Jewish community in the future . Participants in the 2nd cohort of the Pauline Foster Women ’ s Leadership Institute recently spent an inspiring day at Leichtag Commons building relationships and hearing from Gantwerk
and community leaders Charlene Seidle and Rabbi Yael Ridberg . Throughout the program , participants learn from and are mentored by seasoned leaders , develop a better understanding of Jewish community and values , and build a stronger community through hand-on volunteerism . The women build a strong network among peers and , upon program completion , take on additional leadership roles throughout the Jewish and secular community .
Finally , along with ADL San Diego and The Butterfly Project , Federation recently marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day by releasing new educational resources , an online video library , and a Speakers Bureau of Survivors - all available for teachers , educators , and administrators to incorporate into lessons and other conversations with young learners throughout the school year .
Adds Gantwerk , “ Given the recent rise in antisemitism around the country and world , this day took on even greater importance this year . We will never be silent or scared ; we will fight antisemitism anywhere it manifests . A united Jewish community is a strong community , and we thank all of our partners and talented leaders who create such vibrant San Diego Jewish life . www . jewishinsandiego . org
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