Why sign up for Or Tzedek Summer '13? 

Good Reasons
  1. Earn up to 40 hours of community service hours.
  2. Looks impressive on a college application.
  3. Have at least one thing to write about for your “What I did during my summer vacation” essay.
  4. Sound really really smart talking about systemic factors that create social injustices.
GREAT Reasons
  1. Make a real change in your city.
  2. Meet Jewish teens who are unapologetically passionate about social justice.
  3. Work with leaders and organizers on the forefront of activism and advocacy work in Chicago.
  4. Find your voice and power as a Jewish youth activist.

Summer Program At A Glance

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JCUA’s Or Tzedek Summer Program is an 8-day summer urban immersion program for Jewish middle and high school students.  Teens strengthen their Jewish identity and clarify their commitment to social justice through hands-on experiences.

Throughout the week, the teens will explore communities all around Chicago, learning about the challenges they face, the actions they are taking for change, and much more! Teens will participate in volunteer service projects, as well as gain the leadership skills necessary to effect social change. That means, for example, cleaning-up a community park while also learning how to launch a successful campaign advocating for more green space in low-income communities.

The program also includes prominent Jewish educators and leaders who will facilitate workshops about Jewish values and social justice.  Finally, the program takes full-advantage of Chicago-in-the-summer, including Millennium Park, the lakefront beaches, theater, etc.

We seek diversity within the Jewish community in our programs. Therefore we are non-denominational and invite participants of all Jewish backgrounds to take part in our quest for justice.
Summer 2013 Dates:
ADVANCED ACTIVISM (for returning participants): June 23-30
ACTIVISM AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING (available program sessions): July 14-21 and August 4-11