As the Director of Teen Programming at Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, I’ve seen firsthand how our teen initiatives like allocating tzedakah to causes in our community, traveling to Israel, forming community with other teens, and diving into Jewish learning and leadership help our teens grow into confident, compassionate, and strong Jewish leaders. In the reflections that follow, Sara and Jordana from Diller Teen Fellows share how Federation has shaped their Jewish journey—and how it can shape yours too.
Sara Dybner:
My time with Federation started with my bat mitzvah project, one happy camper, when I was in 7th grade. That experience, helping send Jewish kids to summer camp, showed me what it feels like to give back to the community.
A few years later, I spent my summers volunteering with JTeen doing things like it cleaning up the Watchung Reservation and visiting the Jewish Museum in Manhattan. Though I didn’t take part in leadership at the JTeen level, Federation allowed me to find meaningful work in aiding my community.
I truly found my place Federation in my 10th and 12th grade years when I participated in the Diller Teen Fellows program. It was my first time traveling to Israel without family, and it opened my eyes to the diversity of Jewish life I’d never seen before.
Through Diller, I learned how important listening and collaboration are in leadership. Becoming a Diller Junior Counselor helped me develop these skills even further as I worked with both teens and adults to create engaging programs. Federation has been the place where I grew into a Jewish teen leader.
Jordana Goldstein:
Throughout high school, I’ve been lucky to participate in so many Federation teen programs. It started with Iris Teen Tzedakah in my freshman year, then Diller Teen Fellows as a sophomore, TILC in my junior and senior years, and now serving as a Diller Junior Counselor.
What stands out most is how Federation brings Jewish teens together. I’ve met people I never would have crossed paths with otherwise. We’ve had real conversations about Israel, antisemitism, and what it means to be a Jewish teen today that have made me think deeply and grow.
Federation also opened doors for me to connect with Israeli teens in our partnership communities. Unlike typical teen trips to Israel, Diller created space for real friendships and honest conversations with Israeli teens and Jewish peers from around the world. These connections, and the friendships I’ve made with our Rishonim, have given me a richer understanding of Israel and Jewish life globally. They’ve even inspired me to pursue Middle East Studies, including Hebrew and Arabic.
Here’s What Sticks
For many teens, being a part of Jewish programming is just a moment in time. However, at Federation our mission is to spark within our youth the idea that those moments build upon one another until they become a defining journey.
Both Sara and Jordana didn’t know at the onset that their lives would be profoundly changed during their time here. It’s the purpose of Federation’s teen initiatives to nurture the curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking skills that empower our youth to keep learning beyond our four walls. Being a part of the Jewish community means more than just learning our history. It’s the recognition that we are an integral part of the fabric of life that lets us grow together, laugh together, heal together, and build together.
My blessing of hope for our community is threefold (like the priestly benediction):
- May you be a gatherer: Ask questions, explore new ideas, learn from everyone you meet, and seek wisdom!
- Be the change you want to see: In a world that evolves slowly, be the leader that brings some innovation, new perspectives, and a little bit of chutzpah (gumption) to bring us to a better society.
- Lean into Jewish Joy: Judaism isn’t meant to be perfunctory. It’s supposed to bring meaning to our lives. Whether through Jewish books, music, art, volunteerism, rituals, friendship, sports, or simple shared conversations, let yourself discover and immerse in the joys of our culture.
May G-d bless you and protect you!
May G-d deal kindly and graciously with you!
May G-d bestow favor upon you and grant you peace!
Want your child’s teen years to be their best years? Check out our Federation teen programs.
Learn more about One Happy Camper and our fun-filled summer pop-ups (ice cream sundaes included!)