For many Jewish teens, school is where they spend most of their day—but it isn't always where they experience Jewish community. Through its partnership with Jewish Student Union (JSU), the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston is helping change that by creating opportunities for Jewish teens to connect, build friendships, and explore their Jewish identity right where they are.
Engaging the next generation is an important part of Federation's work to build a flourishing and connected Jewish community. That's why we are excited to partner with JSU, a national organization that empowers Jewish teens through student-led Jewish cultural clubs in middle and high schools. With generous support from The Leon Levine Foundation, this partnership is expanding opportunities for Jewish teens throughout the Greater Charleston area.
While many Jewish experiences take place in synagogues, camps, youth groups, and other community settings, JSU offers another pathway to Jewish connection—one that begins at school. Through student-led clubs on middle and high school campuses, teens can connect with other Jewish students, celebrate holidays and traditions, ask questions, and discover new ways to engage with Jewish life.
For some students, a JSU club is one of many ways they participate in Jewish life. For others, it may be their first connection to the broader Jewish community. By bringing Jewish engagement into students' everyday lives, the partnership helps create more opportunities for teens to feel seen, supported, and connected.
“Creating a flourishing Jewish community means creating many different pathways for people to find their place in Jewish life,” said Tair Giudice, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston. “By partnering with Jewish Student Union and The Leon Levine Foundation, we can meet teens where they are and give them opportunities to build friendships, explore their Jewish identity, and connect with the broader Jewish community.”
Leading this effort locally is Shayna Roberts, Charleston's JSU Director. Shayna works with students, schools, families, and community organizations to establish and support JSU clubs throughout the Greater Charleston area.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching students realize they don't have to navigate their Jewish identity alone,” said Shayna. “JSU creates welcoming spaces where teens can connect, celebrate being Jewish, and discover a community that supports them.”
Investing in Jewish teens is an investment in the future of Jewish Charleston. Today's teens will become tomorrow's community leaders, volunteers, philanthropists, parents, and builders of Jewish life. By creating a range of opportunities for young people—from camps and leadership programs to school-based engagement—Federation is helping ensure that the next generation has meaningful ways to connect to Jewish life and to one another.
We are deeply grateful to The Leon Levine Foundation for helping make this partnership possible. Together with JSU and other community partners, we look forward to creating more opportunities for Jewish teens to find connection, belonging, and community—and to sharing the stories of the young people whose lives are being enriched along the way.
About Jewish Student Union (JSU)
Jewish Student Union (JSU) is a national organization that empowers Jewish teens through student-led Jewish cultural clubs in middle and high schools. By meeting students where they already are—at school—JSU creates welcoming spaces for teens to explore Jewish identity, celebrate Jewish traditions, build friendships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their connection to the Jewish community.
Your support of the Annual Campaign helps make this work possible. If you haven't made your gift yet, please consider doing so today: https://www.jewishcharleston.org/ways-to-give/donate
Your support of the Annual Campaign helps make this work possible. If you haven't made your gift yet, please consider doing so today: https://www.jewishcharleston.org/ways-to-give/donate
Learn more about JSU: www.jsu.org
Interested in learning more or bringing JSU to your school?
Shayna Roberts
JSU Director – Greater Charleston Area
Email: shayna.roberts@jsu.org