26 | OCTOBER 13 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY A bored teen? Not the best expe- rience for anyone (yes, parents, I’m talking to you, too.) A Teen Board? Well, that’s a different story and, by all accounts, a great experience in learning to help others. Teen Board is an initiative of The Jewish Fund that aims to develop teens as “philanthropists” and engage them in hands-on grant-making. Established in 1997 from the sale pro- ceeds of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit Medical Center, the Jewish Fund contin- ues Sinai’s tradition of assuring quality and compassionate care for those in need by awarding grants to help vulnerable individuals. Each year, The Jewish Fund engages a group of 25 Jewish high school students in grades 10 through 12 to be Teen Board members. At the end of the year, The Jewish Fund Teen Board members work together to grant $50,000 to both Jewish and secular charities in Metro Detroit. So, what’s it like to participate in this special cohort that helps to change lives, including those of the board members themselves? We asked Teen Board partic- ipants, and the answers speak for them- selves. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT TEEN BOARD? Nicolette Handler: My favorite part about Teen Board is that I get to make a big dif- ference in certain charity organizations, which allows them to start new programs or help more people. I also love the social aspect of Teen Board because I got to meet so many more Jewish teens in my area. Madison Charnas: I loved being able to connect with other Jewish teens and becoming more educated about the amazing organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in the Metro Detroit area. Going on the different site visits was real- ly interesting and so was hearing about all the things these organizations do. Ella Fried: My favorite part about Teen Board was interviewing the different organizations because they shared excit- ing evidence of the change they were making in the community, and I felt empowered to be a part of that change. Tali Feingold: My favorite part is site visits with the nonprofits. I had the opportunity to meet with nonprofit leaders to discuss their grant proposals. I heard firsthand stories of their accom- plishments and their aspirations for the future. In all my site visits, the leaders’ passion was contagious, and I found myself discovering a deeper connection to their grant, goals and to philanthropy as a whole. WHAT LESSONS FROM TEEN BOARD HAVE OR WILL SHAPE YOUR JEWISH IDENTITY? Madison Charnas: Philanthropy is a large part of Judaism and, while I was on the Teen Board, I was able to learn more than just the basics of philanthro- py. There is a large focus on helping the members of the community who need it, which is also a large part of Judaism that I would like to continue to focus on. Ella Fried: Judaism and passion for social justice are two major parts of my identity. Teen Board helped to combine these two parts of me, each one fueling and strengthening the other. Nicolette Handler: Teen Board has shaped my Jewish identity by strength- ening my tikkun olam, which is a core Jewish value. Tali Feingold: When in Teen Board, I read about many Jewish nonprofits, engaged in many discussions about Judaism and antisemitism, all surrounded by a community of Jewish teens and lead- ers. Throughout the year, I learned about the difficulties that being Jewish can sometimes bring. But what stuck with me more is the countless ways Jewish com- munity members assist each other. I feel that this has led to an unwavering pride in the Jewish people and a strengthened Jewish identity. Help Your Teens Become the Change They Want to See JEWISH FEDERATION