Jewish Teen Foundation Leader Application

Leader Application Now Open (returning members)
Deadline to Apply: September 7, 2026 (5:00 pm PST)

Thank you for your interest in rejoining the Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF). Please be sure you have submitted your completed application. You will receive an email within 2-3 business days with the next steps. If you do not receive an email, please contact Rachael Cunningham at rachael@jcfsandiego.org.

JTF is a teen-led giving program that runs year-round. Keep your answers honest and specific — we care about how you think, not polished writing.

JTF Meeting Dates (Attendance Required)
All meetings are mandatory for participation. If you have repeated conflicts, please understand that you will not be able to participate in the program.

Session 1 – Sunday, October 11, 2026 (all-day retreat)
Session 2 – Sunday, November 8, 2026 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
Session 3 – Sunday, December 13, 2026 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
Session 4 – Sunday, January 10, 2027 (mid-year retreat)
Session 5 – Sunday, February 7, 2027 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
Session 6 – Sunday, March 14, 2027 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
Session 7 – Sunday, April 4, 2027 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
Closing – Sunday, April 18, 2027 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)

Personal Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Pronouns(Required)

She/Her

He/Him

They/Them

Other

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Are you a returning or new JTF student?(Required)

Returning

New

Date of Birth(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Teen Cell Phone(Required)

Teen Email(Required)

Home Phone

High School(Required)

Location of High School (City)(Required)

What grade will you be entering this Fall?(Required)

10th

11th

12th

How many years have you been in JTF?(Required)

Parent/Guardian 1 Name(Required)

Parent/Guardian 1 Email(Required)

Parent/Guardian 1 Phone(Required)

Parent/Guardian 2 Name

Parent/Guardian 2 Email

Parent/Guardian 2 Phone

Emergency Contact Name (if different)

Emergency Phone (if different)

Parent/Guardian Signature:(Required)

Please type in their full name.

Date(Required)

Jewish Identity and Involvement

How do you describe your religious affiliation?(Required)

Reform

Conservative

Orthodox

Reconstructionist

Renewal

Secular / Just Jewish / Cultural

Nondenominational / Postdenominational

Other

Do you currently belong to a synagogue?(Required)

Yes

If yes, please list synagogue name.

Do you currently or have you formerly belonged to a Jewish youth group or camp?(Required)

Yes

If yes, please list group(s) or camp(s) and any leadership roles held.

Are you involved with other Jewish activities, organizations, or educational programs (including Israel trips)?(Required)

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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Group Work and Personality

Please answer these questions to the best of your abilities.

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What strengths do you bring to a group?(Required)

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What challenges or weaknesses have you experienced when working in groups?(Required)

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Would you describe yourself as an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between? Please briefly explain.(Required)

Extracurricular Activities and Time Commitments

List your extracurricular activities, leadership roles, jobs, and your anticipated commitments for the upcoming school year.(Required)

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Philanthropy and Program Motivation

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Have you participated in any other philanthropy, volunteer, or community service programs?(Required)

Yes

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If yes, please describe your involvement.

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If you had $5,000 to donate to charitable organizations, which organization(s) would you choose and why?(Required)

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Why do you want to participate in the Jewish Teen Foundation? What part of the program is most appealing to you? (If returning, what was your favorite part of JTF last year and what do you hope to gain from rejoining?)(Required)

Short Essay Questions

Looking back at your year(s) in JTF, describe a specific moment when your view changed — about a cause, an organization, or a even fellow JTF peers’ opinions. What changed it, and what did it teach you about how you judge community needs?(Required)

(up to 250 words)

Now that you are more familiar with the process of JTF, what’s one change or new idea you’d like to see in the program?(Required)

(up to 150 words)

Is there one particular program or activity you would like to help lead or plan this year?(Required)

Social Connections

Do you know any past or current JTF participants? If yes, please list their name(s).

Do you have any friends who might also be interested in applying this year? If yes, please list their name(s).

Commitment and Acknowledgement

Attendance Policy(Required)

I agree to the mandatory attendance policy for the Jewish Teen Foundation program.

I have reviewed the program dates (listed below) and understand that full participation is required. By signing below, I confirm that I understand the time commitment and responsibilities involved in the Jewish Teen Foundation program, and I commit to full participation if accepted.

Participation Fee(Required)

I acknowledge that there is a $360 participation fee due upon acceptance into the program.

Half of this fee supports program costs, and the other half contributes to the teen philanthropic granting pool. If this fee presents a barrier to participation, financial assistance is available. Please contact Rachael Cunningham at rachael@jcfsandiego.org for more information.

2026-2027 Program Dates

Please review carefully before committing to the program. All meetings are mandatory for participation. If you have repeated conflicts, please understand that you will not be able to participate in the program.
• Session 1 - Sunday, October 11, 2026 (all-day retreat)
• Session 2 - Sunday, November 8, 2026 (4:00 - 7:00 pm)
• Session 3 - Sunday, December 13, 2026 (4:00 - 7:00 pm)
• Session 4 - Sunday, January 10, 2027 (mid-year retreat)
• Session 5 - Sunday, February 7, 2027 (4:00 - 7:00 pm)
• Session 6 - Sunday, March 14, 2027 (4:00 - 7:00 pm)
• Session 7 - Sunday, April 4, 2027 (4:00 - 7:00 pm)
• Closing - Sunday, April 18, 2027 (4:00 - 7:00 pm)

Your Electronic Signature(Required)

Please type in your full name.

Date(Required)

Additional Comments or Questions (optional)

For more information, please contact Rachael Cunningham at rachael@jcfsandiego.org or (858) 279-2740.

Jewish Teen Foundation Leader Application

Leader Application Now Open (returning members)Deadline to Apply: September 7, 2026 (5:00 pm PST)

Personal Information

Jewish Identity and Involvement

Group Work and Personality

Extracurricular Activities and Time Commitments

Philanthropy and Program Motivation

Short Essay Questions

Social Connections

Commitment and Acknowledgement

Leader Application Now Open (returning members)
Deadline to Apply: September 7, 2026 (5:00 pm PST)