Here at JOI, we don’t just look at the current state of the Jewish community, we also look to the future. One of the seminars at our Judaism 2030 conference back in May was to speak to Jewish teens, and to hear about their Jewish experience thus far. They are, after all, the future of the Jewish people, so it is important for Jewish communal professionals to know how they define being Jewish, and what it means to them.

Going to Israel is often an important right of passage for a Jewish teen, and this trip can help shape their Jewish identities. The eight grade class at the Portland Jewish Academy in Portland, OR, is currently raising money for their trip to Israel this spring, and have shown just how creative this generation can be by putting together a fundraising video. The students are asking people to donate just $1 each, and then to pass the video on to their family and friends. Their hope is that the video will go viral, and that the bulk of their fundraising will be received through this innovative campaign.

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