Teen Leadership & Tikkun Olam
THE PEER ENGAGEMENT INTERNSHIP
Build Relationships – Connect to Jewish Life – Create Meaningful Jewish Opportunities
About the Peer Engagement Internship
The Peer Engagement Internship is a 10-month paid internship for teens through The Second Floor at the JCC. Interns serve as connectors and builders of Jewish life in Pittsburgh, utilizing their own social networks and creating relationships with Jewish students across the community. Interns attend monthly skill-building workshops and create their own teen-led programs to welcome their peers to The Second Floor space.
Interested students must be in grades 10-12 and over the age of 16 to apply. All First-Year Peer Engagement Interns will be paid at a rate of $9/hour and Returning Interns will be paid at a rate of $10/hour for the 2024-2025 school year.
All interns are expected to:
- Attend mandatory monthly meetings and trainings.
- Connect their peers to opportunities that match their interests.
- Identify trends and gaps in engagement opportunities.
- Engage with teens in the space during working hours.
- Represent the Peer Engagement Intern brand, and promote The Second Floor programming and events during and outside working hours.
- Utilize staff resources to fulfill job requirements to the best of their ability.
- Have a fun, outgoing, and friendly attitude!
To apply, please fill out the application page here. You do not need to attach a resume, but please attach a short letter or statement about why you would like to work with us.
Contact: Jenna Baker for more information.
Internship Tracks
This year, the second floor is excited to announce that we are offering new peer engagement internship tracks! Brief descriptions of these tracks are below but we are happy to answer any questions you might have on the roles/responsibilities!
Jewish Enrichment
Jewish Enrichment PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor staff to plan and facilitate Jewish programming on The Second Floor. These PEIs will assist with holiday event planning, shabbat programming, Nazun (aka Challah for Hunger), and more.
Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor Staff to create, facilitate, and promote new and engaging service opportunities for teens. These PEIs will work with our new Tikkun Olam Club to help put together monthly service opportunities. Additionally, these PEIs will work with the J-Serve Steering Committee throughout the year and play a hands-on role in the planning process.
Middle School Engagement
Middle School Engagement PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor Staff to help build connections with 6-8th graders to provide more specific programming opportunities for Middle Schoolers and ensure they have a smooth transition into our HS-aged programming when the time comes. Middle School Engagement PEIs will also have the opportunity to network and engage with local middle schools to build connections with The Second Floor.
Sports and Fitness
Sports and Fitness PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor Staff to spearhead our new JCC Teen Sports + Fitness Committee from a teen perspective. These PEIs will help guide conversations around sports, athletics, and fitness programs at the JCC as well as have the opportunity to plan larger sports and fitness themed events such as speakers, sports competitions, etc.
Social Programming
Social Programming PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor Staff to plan and facilitate social programs on The Second Floor. These may include pop-up experiences, half-day activities, Friendsgiving, midterm/finals weeks, and more.
Israel Engagement
Israel Engagement PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor Staff to create and lead initiatives, events, and programs around Israeli culture, history, etc. These PEIs will also have the opportunity to work closely with the Shinshinim to have them involved in Israel-based programming on The Second Floor.
Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture PEIs will work with JCC/The Second Floor Staff to create, support, and facilitate arts and culture based programming with teens. These programs may include Crafting and Jewish Spirituality, Middle and High School Musicals, Cricut Club, and more.
Registration
Prerequisites: Interested students must be in grades 10-12 and over the age of 16 to apply.
Cost: All First-Year Peer Engagement Interns will be paid at a rate of $9/hour and Returning Interns will be paid at a rate of $10/hour for the 2023-2024 school year.
Contact: Email Rebecca Kahn.
Peer Engagement Internship (PEI) Application 2023-2024 are now open!
Diller Teen Fellows
Diller Teen Fellows, a year to impact a lifetime.
A Year To Impact A Lifetime. 32 Communities, 7 Countries, 1 Global Jewish Community.
Applications for the upcoming cohort of the Pittsburgh Diller Teen Fellowship will reopen in Spring 2025.
About Diller Teen Fellows
This is the Diller Teen Fellowship: A year where Fellows become stronger and more rooted in their Jewish identities, empowered leaders, and activated leaders of Tikkun Olam and social justice initiatives.
The Diller Teen Fellows program consists of once-to-twice a month Sunday workshops, four overnight Shabbatonim (Shabbat weekend retreats) and a 3-week transformative trip to Israel in the Summer.
The Diller Teen Fellowship is open to Jewish high schoolers in 10th and 11th grades. We encourage Jews from all backgrounds to apply; whether you keep kosher or love bacon, whether you speak Hebrew or have never been to synagogue or been to Israel — you are Jewish enough for Diller.
Scholarships are available.
Is the Diller Fellows Program for Me?
We encourage people to apply from all races, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, and ranges of Jewish practice and belief.
As long as you are interested in talking about how your Jewish identity impacts (or doesn’t impact!) your life, meeting new friends, and passionate about social justice and becoming a leader – Diller might be right for you!
Activities
As part of the prestigious and global Diller International Teen Fellows program, you will experience:
- Twelve Sunday experiences focused on helping you become the best leader you can be
- Four Weekend Retreats (Shabbatonim) where you will connect with your cohort, learn how Jewish traditions may or may not be helpful for you and the importance of Jewish peoplehood
- Service experiences and social justice – make a difference in YOUR community!
Want to know what its like?
Read our blog about the Diller Teen Fellows’ 2023 annual Jewish Community Mifgash (JCM) here.
Contact:
Fellow Testimonials
Photo Gallery
Maccabi
Maccabi is an international organization devoted to the rachmanas (compassion or empathy) and ruach (spirit) of young teens. Maccabi is open to Jewish Teens ages 13-17. Through teamwork and leadership, teens compete for the gold.
This year, Maccabi will be held in Pittsburgh on PITT’s campus! You can register to be an athlete here.
For more information about the 2025 Maccabi Campus Games, click here.
Contact: Jenna Baker for more information.
Samuel M. Goldston Teen Engagement
What would YOU do with $10,000?
Join a group of future Jewish teen changemakers and leaders in
Goldston Teen Engagement to learn more!
About the Project
The Samuel M. Goldston Teen Engagement project is a free program for 7th-9th graders to gain real-world leadership skills by practicing Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), learning about philanthropy, and understanding the world of non-profit organizations and social justice issues.
The Goldston Teen Engagement Project was begun in 2006 under the name “Goldston Teen Philanthropy” by the Goldston family in memory of Samuel Goldston. The family wanted to make an impact on the quality of Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects students were doing while teaching them the thought process around tzedakah (charitable giving). Eddie, the family patriarch, always reminded the Goldston family that “it feels good to do good.” Having impacted hundreds of teens throughout the community, the Goldston Teen Engagement project continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of 21st-century teens.
During the 8-week project, our group will:
- Learn to assess which social justice and charitable issues are most important to us as individuals.
- Learn about and engage with issues facing the Greater Pittsburgh community.
- Allocate over $10,000 to a local charity of our choice.
- Learn about philanthropy, fundraising, and how to be an agent of social change in our community.
- Learn how social justice, philanthropy, and Tikkun Olam fit into (or do not fit into) our Jewish identities.
Registration
Registration will open for the 2026 Goldston Teen Engagement project session in the Winter of 2025.
Contact: Rebecca Kahn for more information.
Contributions are matched through a generous grant from Edward and Linda Goldston (z’l) in memory of their son, Samuel. This program is supported by the Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
J-Serve
The International Day of Jewish Youth Service
The JCC, in partnership with BBYO and other local organizations, hosts J-Serve, an annual day of community service and Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) in the Spring. This day of giving is filled with community, putting Jewish values into action, and giving back to our community. J-Serve is open to all teens in 6th to 12th grades. Teens do not need to be Jewish to participate.
This year’s J-Serve will be held on Sunday, April 6th.
Contact: Jenna Baker for more information.
Nazun (Challah for Hunger)
Teens from The Second Floor Teen Center meet monthly to braid challah dough and discuss a topic related to food insecurity, ethics and justice, or Jewish culture. The loaves are baked in the JCC’s kosher kitchen overnight and then the challot are sold and donated to 412FoodRescue.
This opportunity usually satisfies volunteer hour requirements.
Contact: Dr. Maria Carson for more information.
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