I’m turning this Shabbat message over to Rhiannon M. Yates, Community Relations & Education Associate.
~Jeff Finkelstein, CEO & President
Over the past year, we’ve built Student-to-Student from the ground up in Greater Pittsburgh. The program brings Jewish high school students into local classrooms to share their experiences and traditions with non-Jewish peers. Through personal stories and open conversation, we aim to build understanding and challenge stereotypes that fuel antisemitism.
Recruitment and First Cohort
We’ve recruited seven teens for our first cohort. They’ll meet for orientation and training on Sunday, November 15, at Shaare Torah. At resource fairs at Community Day School and the JCC, we spoke with about 40 teens, and both students and parents were excited about the program. Over the past year, we connected with about 30 parents and worked with Jewish day schools, congregations, and youth organizations to recruit teens from a range of Jewish backgrounds.
School Partnerships and Outreach
We met in person with Principal Buchak of North Allegheny High School, Superintendent Caroline Johns of Northgate, Assistant Superintendent Melissa Pearlman of Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Superintendent Andrew Surloff of Quaker Valley. We discussed the experiences of Jewish students and how Student to Student presentations could complement each district’s work.
Before the High Holidays, we mailed back-to-school packets to about 40 regional superintendents. The packets included guidance on Jewish holidays, religious accommodations, and support for Jewish student-athletes, along with our Jewish Heritage and Antisemitism Resource Packet, a PJ Library book on Jewish American life, and an invitation to host a presentation. For the first time, two districts, South Allegheny and Seneca Valley, heard about the program by word of mouth and reached out to us about bringing it into their classrooms.
Next Steps
We’re aiming to begin small-group classroom presentations in December or January. We’ve also been invited to host an informational table at Pitt’s Building a Beloved Community Summit, and we’re working to involve our shinshinim so students can hear directly from young Israelis about their experiences. Our goal is to build lasting partnerships that bring Student-to-Student into classrooms across Greater Pittsburgh throughout the school year.
Shabbat shalom.
Rhiannon M. Yates
Community Relations & Education Associate