The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation 2015-2016 Application
Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation is a selective, diverse program that includes students from
many schools across the Chicagoland area. Over the course of the academic year, the teens work together
as a real philanthropic foundation and:
 learn the ins and outs of both the grant making and grant writing process while
applying Jewish values to philanthropy
 acquire critical research skills and honing leadership abilities
 debate social justice issues
 participate in intensive training on how to solicit and evaluate grant proposals
from non-profits
 challenge each other to make thoughtful, insightful grants that address the causes
that matter most to them
At the end of the year, teen board members work together to grant over $25,000 to both Jewish
and secular charities in Chicago, across the country, and all around the world. Voices is a very real, very
substantial demonstration not only of tzedakah and tikkun olam, but of the tremendous social and
financial impact that tomorrow's grant makers can have upon the world TODAY.
We meet monthly throughout the school year on Sundays and for a minimum of two hours each
meeting. Voices is available to students in 9th – 12th grades and open to students from all streams of
Judaism. Throughout the program, all religious practices will be respected, and dietary laws will be
strictly observed. Before you apply, you must be ready to make Voices a priority and you must be ready
to read, write, listen, think, debate, wrestle and apply yourself throughout the year-long program.
Homework (don’t worry, it’s never any more than an hour or so of work!) is assigned on a monthly basis
and completion of all assignments is mandatory. Success of the program depends upon your FULL
participation because your fellow board members will depend on you throughout the year. Be prepared to
communicate with them on Facebook, through email, or on the phone outside of the context of board
meetings.
Attendance at the seven board meetings, the opening and closing dinners, the all-day retreat, and the
all-day site visit day is mandatory (unless previously discussed with Voices staff prior to the meetings).
Board meetings are typically about 3 hours long and they happen in a variety of locations (synagogues,
JCCs, participants’ homes, etc…). Most meetings occur in the late afternoon and early evening. See the
dates and meeting descriptions on the following page not only to get a good idea about what we will be
working on throughout the year, but also to mark the dates on your calendar and anticipate any conflicts:
Attendance at the seven board meetings, the opening and closing dinners, the all-day retreat, and the
all-day site visit day is mandatory (unless previously discussed with Voices staff prior to the meetings).
Board meetings are typically about 3 hours long and they happen in a variety of locations (synagogues,
JCCs, participants’ homes, etc…). Most meetings occur in the late afternoon and early evening. See the
dates and meeting descriptions on the following page not only to get a good idea about what we will be
working on throughout the year, but also to mark the dates on your calendar and anticipate any conflicts:
VOICES: CHICAGO JEWISH TEEN FOUNDATION 2015-2016
MEETING DATES
September 20, 2015:
Opening Dinner and Introduction to the program
Learn about what’s going to happen this year!
October 18, 2015:
All day retreat! Most likely from 10:00am-6:00pm
November 15, 2015:
How to read a budget
December 6, 2015
JUF Phonothon + Voices Meeting. Most likely from 10:00am3:00pm
January 24, 2016:
Finalize Grant Guidelines and RFPs
February 7, 2016:
Learn to critique and review grant proposals.
February 21, 2016:
Continued session on grant proposals
March 6, 2016:
Preparation for site visits
April 10, 2016:
Site Visit Day! Most likely from 10:00am-6:00pm
May 15, 2016:
Evaluation of proposals and presentations
June 5, 2016:
Grant award ceremony and dinner program
*MEETING DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Are you ready to apply???
The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation 2015-2016 Application
PLEASE PRINT NEATLY OR TYPE
Name___________________________________________ Preferred Gender Pronoun: __________________
Address___________________________________________________________________________________
City_________________ State __________ ZIP____________ Phone (_____) _______________________
Email____________________________________________________
Cell (_____) ___________________
School_________________________________ Age (in Fall of 2015)______
Grade (in Fall of 2015)_____
1. Why do you want to participate in Voices? What part of the program is most appealing to you?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2.
Describe your strengths and weaknesses in working with groups. _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.
What will you offer to a diverse group of Jewish teens? ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4.
List all extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and/or jobs in which you are involved, as well as your
anticipated involvement for next year.
______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Which of the following best describes your Jewish affiliation?




Secular—just Jewish, not religious
Reform
Reconstructionist
Renewal




Orthodox
Modern Orthodox
Traditional
Conservative
 Nondenominational
 Other ___________
Please answer the following:
6.
____ I am ____ I am not currently involved in the Jewish community.
7.
My family is affiliated with the following congregation and/or other Jewish organizations:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8.
I currently or formerly belonged to a Jewish youth group(s). ____ Yes _____ No
List group(s) _______________________________________________________________
Did you hold an office? ____Yes
____No
If so, what/when? ___________________________________________________________
I am currently involved with Jewish activities and/or education. _____ Yes _____ No
If yes, please describe all activities and educational experiences, including Israel trips.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
9.
Over the course of the year, we will have the opportunity to explore many needs in the community.
Please list some of the areas you would like to explore (for example: human rights, the environment, the
elderly, Jewish education, Israel).
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
10.
Have you ever participated in a philanthropy program? _______ If so, please explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
11.
Do you know someone who has previously participated in Voices? How did you hear about the
program?_____________________________________________________________________________
12.
Please attach a brief essay (500 words or less) describing an experience you had “giving back”
to the community that impacted your feelings about tzedakah or philanthropy.
Applicant Signature
By my signature below, I acknowledge that I read the requirements for Voices: The Chicago
Jewish Teen Foundation, which I understand that, if accepted, I will be required to attend
monthly meetings, complete assignments, and participate in a group volunteer project.
Signature
Date
Permission from Parent/Guardian
Name _______________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________________
E-mail Address ________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone _________________ Business Phone __________________ Cell Phone _______________
Relationship to Applicant ________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Name and Phone ______________________________________________________
By my signature below, I acknowledge that ___________________ (applicant’s name) is
applying for Voices, that I understand the program requirements, which include attending
monthly meetings, completing assignments, and participating in a group volunteer project. I will
make every effort to support his/her participation in the program throughout the year.
Signature
Date
Please note that the application deadline for Voices 2015-2016 is
August 31, 2015. BUT due to the popularity of the program, EARLY SUBMISSIONS ARE
HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!!! Depending on the volume of applications this year, phoneinterviews may be scheduled.
Please mail the application to: Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation
30 S. Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60606
OR
Email to stephaniegoldfarb@juf.org. Please put “Application” in the subject line.
Please note, you cannot participate in Voices and Write on for Israel simultaneously. If you are
a junior and have applied to both Voices and Write On, please make a note on your application.
Although you can apply to both, you will not be able to participate in both programs.