JUF Young Families help young families experience and celebrate the joys of Jewish life, community and learning. One of its award-winning signature programs is PJ Library Chicago, which delivers delightful, age-appropriate Jewish books to 8,000 young families every month.
JUF’s pathways for teen involvement are as unique as our youth. Springboard—one of our dozens of teen leadership and service learning programs—comes together with wide-ranging community partners to host exciting alternative spring break programs.
Through programs like Base Hillel, JUF strives to inspire Jewish college students to commit to Jewish life. Chicago’s two Base Hillels have become dynamic, pluralistic hubs of young adult Jewish life, anchored by rabbinic couples that welcome community members into their homes.
JUF engages 20- and 30-something Jews through social, professional, volunteer and philanthropic opportunities. One of these is JUF’s Russian Jewish Division, which develops young leaders while celebrating their shared Russian-speaking heritage.
Time spent in Israel makes Jewish identity and history come alive. To make these experiences possible, JUF offers Israel Experience Savings Programs, scholarships and subsidies—including JUF’s signature 8th-grade Israel trip, which brings thousands of kids to Israel post B’nai Mitzvah.
JUF and our community partners offer scholarships and subsidies that make it possible for thousands of children to experience Jewish summer camp. JUF’s One Happy Camper offers $1,000 incentive grants for first-time Jewish residential campers.
JUF is committed to fostering the best in Jewish day school, supplemental and synagogue-based Jewish education. Through JUF Right Start, we partner with 38 local early childhood education programs across the spectrum of Jewish observance.
