Mission Statement
Or Tzedek is JCUA's year-round teen institute for social justice. Through hands-on service, teen-led social action projects and education about Jewish values and social justice, teens learn about challenges facing Chicago’s diverse communities and take action to combat them.
Summer Program
High School teens (at the minimum teens who have completed Grade 9) spend one week with Or Tzedek and gain a lifetime of experience, perspective and memories. The program strengthens the participants’ Jewish identity and clarifies their commitment to social and economic justice. As part of the program, teens will:
--Work in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods
--Explore Jewish approaches to social justice
--Develop leadership skills
--Examine urban issues and their impact
--Live in Chicago and enjoy the city in the summer!
--Earn 30-40 Community Service Credit Hours
--Work in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods
--Explore Jewish approaches to social justice
--Develop leadership skills
--Examine urban issues and their impact
--Live in Chicago and enjoy the city in the summer!
--Earn 30-40 Community Service Credit Hours
Year-Round Events & Projects
Throughout the year, Or Tzedek has many exciting events and projects.
These include:
-Hands-on service projects that help underserved communities.
-Study groups where Or Tzedek members learn together different Jewish texts on social justice.
-Partnering with community-based organizations and local teens to promote on-going projects that make a real difference in people’s lives.
and Or Tzedek and JCUA are proud to announce....
our first annual Winter Leadership Retreat
On December 28-30 meet teens from all over the Chicagoland area and engage in three intensive, incredible days of building friendships, taking action in Chicago’s diverse communities, exploring Jewish approaches to justice, and developing as a leader. Or Tzedek participants address urban issues through hands-on service, in-depth study, and participation in real-life community organizing campaigns. The leadership retreat is open to high school students, both who have and have not participated in Or Tzedek, and Or Tzedek alums in college.
Register today!
See videos of past projects
Click here for more info on Year-Round Programs
Register for Or Tzedek's Winter 2011 Leadership Retreat
These include:
-Hands-on service projects that help underserved communities.
-Study groups where Or Tzedek members learn together different Jewish texts on social justice.
-Partnering with community-based organizations and local teens to promote on-going projects that make a real difference in people’s lives.
and Or Tzedek and JCUA are proud to announce....
our first annual Winter Leadership Retreat
On December 28-30 meet teens from all over the Chicagoland area and engage in three intensive, incredible days of building friendships, taking action in Chicago’s diverse communities, exploring Jewish approaches to justice, and developing as a leader. Or Tzedek participants address urban issues through hands-on service, in-depth study, and participation in real-life community organizing campaigns. The leadership retreat is open to high school students, both who have and have not participated in Or Tzedek, and Or Tzedek alums in college.
Register today!
See videos of past projects
Click here for more info on Year-Round Programs
Register for Or Tzedek's Winter 2011 Leadership Retreat






