< Jewish Teen Foundation
The JTF Leaders (returning students) were guided by the value of B’tzelem Elohim to empower underprivileged youth in Tijuana, San Diego, and Israel to build a brighter future through access to education and mentorship..
JTF Officers strive to provide access to affordable healthcare for the San Diego community by giving individuals reliable and dignified healthcare to embody the Jewish value of ‘Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself’.
The 2025-26 participants awarded 4 grants to the organizations listed below for a total of more than $24,010.
Grant Amount: $3,602 The mission of Advancing Students Forward is to provide underserved students access to education and support for academic success so that they can create a promising future for themselves and for the community in which they live. ASF is a binational nonprofit, supporting students in Tijuana, Mexico and promoting cross cultural and educational exchanges between students on both sides of the border.
Grant Amount: $4,202 Lev LaLev serves religious girls ages 7-21 who come from impoverished, unstable, or otherwise at-risk homes. Some of their parents have passed away or suffer from physical or mental illness. Some girls have suffered from neglect or abuse, or have been deprived of adequate food, clothing, or shelter.
Grant Amount: $4,201 Reality Changers prepares youth to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities.
Grant Amount: $5,402 Family Health Centers provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons. Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, two PACE centers and a pharmacy.
Grant Amount: $6,603 Our mission is to alleviate poverty in San Diego’s Jewish community by mitigating individual crises and fostering self-sustainability, rooted in kindness, empathy, and Jewish values. Fully dedicated to our Jewish community, we go far beyond crisis response. We walk alongside families, building lives through dignity, education, and personalized one-on-one concierge case management that meets each person exactly where they are.
The JTF Leaders (returning students) strive to embody B’tzelem Elohim by protecting victims of violence whether that be from gun violence, domestic violence, or terrorism to practice Tikkun Olam. They aim to support these needs by providing mental health resources and physical support.
This year the JTF Officers’ (first-time students) mission is to create safe spaces for healing the mental health of victims of antisemitism.
The 2024-25 participants awarded 4 grants to the organizations listed below for a total of more than $36,000.
Grant Amount: $3,821 ASSAF works to promote the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Israel to a life of dignity, security, belonging, and equality. Through the various projects it operates, ASSAF provides assistance, accompaniment, and micro-advocacy for refugees living in Israel, often to the most vulnerable in the community. ASSAF also advocates in the public sphere for the protection and promotion of refugee rights through research, activity with the Israeli public and with government officials, and through the media.
Grant Amount: $5,000 AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. AJC stands up for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security; confronts antisemitism, no matter the source; and upholds the democratic values that unite Jews and our allies.
Grant Amount: $3,465 Hillel of San Diego’s mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish college students in San Diego so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Their vision is that every Jewish college student in San Diego makes an enduring commitment to Jewish life, Jewish learning, and Israel. They build an inclusive community for 2,500 Jewish students who go to college in San Diego at SDSU, UC San Diego, CSU San Marcos, and University of San Diego.
Grant Amount: $7,000 Project S.A.R.A.H. is a support system for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence by providing crisis intervention, help with safety planning, counseling, support groups, case management, and education.
Grant Amount: $7,500 JWI is the leading Jewish organization championing women and girls by fighting gender-based violence, preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse, addressing the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence, building pathways to long-term economic security, and strengthening access to every level of leadership in our communities, workplaces, and country.
In memory of Ofir Libstein (z”l), mayor of Sha’ar Hanegev, the JTF Leaders’ (returning students) mission is to protect and support communities impacted by the Israel-Hamas war, while working to uplift the Jewish community.
The JTF Officers (first-time students) strive to help the people of Israel and the Jewish community in crisis by providing protection and stability through humanitarian aid such as psychological services and reconstruction efforts.
The 2023-24 participants awarded 4 grants to the organizations listed below for a total of $34,430.
Grant Amount: $7,488 The Initiative pools donations to fund grassroots efforts that address the urgent, real-time needs of Israelis whose lives have been shattered by war. 100% of donated funds are promptly sent to trusted allies on the front lines. Since October 7, IEGRI has allocated millions of dollars to hundreds of initiatives. During this war, we are quickly directing funds for mental health, evacuees, the elderly, people with disabilities, and reservist families. The initiative offers direct, flexible funds to those on the front lines.
Grant Amount: $11,488 In the United States, disaster relief, ambulance, and blood services are handled by an array of organizations. In Israel, there’s one organization that does it all — Magen David Adom. Although MDA’s role is mandated by the Israeli government, it’s not a government agency. As Israel’s official representative to the International Red Cross, Magen David Adom’s role precludes it from accepting governmental support for its general operations. Because of this arrangement, MDA relies on support from donors to keep its dispatch systems, training, and equipment the best in the world.
Grant Amount: $12,488 United Hatzalah are a community-based volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) organization committed to providing the fastest response to medical emergencies across Israel even prior the arrival of ambulances and completely free of charge. Their network of more than 7,000 volunteer medics help save thousands of lives each year across Israel by providing medical treatment in an average response time of 3 minutes or less.
The mission of the Jewish Teen Foundation Leaders is to strive to protect women’s health and safety.
The Jewish Teen Foundation Officers aim to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness by supporting mental health, affordable housing, and food access.
The 2022-23 participants awarded 7 grants to the organizations listed below for a total of $30,968.
Grant Amount: $4,424 Bat Melech provides shelter, mental and legal help to abused Orthodox women in Israel suffering from domestic violence and are in life threatening situations.
Grant Amount: $4,424 Project Kesher’s mission is to build Jewish community and advance civil society by developing and empowering women leaders. Project Kesher is meeting the needs of women and girls in Ukraine as they face the current crisis and the fallout, including those who are displaced.
Grant Amount: $4,424 Project S.A.R.A.H. is a support system for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence by providing crisis intervention, help with safety planning, counseling, support groups, case management, and education.
Grant Amount: $4,424 Sharsheret is a national nonprofit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach.
Grant Amount: $4,424 Community Housing Works provides and builds life-changing affordable apartment communities with resident-centered services for working families, seniors and people with disabilities to forge stronger futures.
Grant Amount: $4,424 The Monarch School has served as a place of hope and belonging to thousands of unhoused students since 1987. Their unique and innovative Kindergarten through 12th grade school provides students with the stability and security they need to heal and learn.
Grant Amount: $4,424 The Safe Parking Program provides a welcoming environment, meaningful resources and tools, and dignified support to help families stabilize and transition back into permanent housing.
The mission of the Jewish Teen Foundation Leaders is to prevent antisemitism by educating future generations.
The mission of the Jewish Teen Foundation Officers is to take action against veteran homelessness via rehabilitation, employment resources, and long term support.
The 2021-22 participants awarded 6 grants to the organizations listed below for a total of $23,844.
Grant Amount: $3,982 The Butterfly Project is a call to action through education, the arts, and memorial making. They teach social justice through lessons of the Holocaust, educating all about the dangers of hatred and bigotry to cultivate empathy and social responsibility.
Grant Amount: $3,982 ICS improves the quality of K-12 education on Jews, Judaism, Jewish history, and Israel in the United States by working directly with publishers and digital content producers, developing standards-aligned curricula, and providing professional development to teachers nationwide.
Grant Amount: $3,982 USC Shoah Foundation’s mission is to develop empathy, understanding, and respect through testimony. The Institute strives to share experience and knowledge from genocide survivors, witnesses, and liberators through the Visual History Archive (VHA) to educate and stand against identity-based hate.
Grant Amount: $5,000 DAV is dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead highquality lives with respect and dignity. DAV accomplishes this by educating the public about the sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning from military to civilian life and ensuring that they have access to the benefits and resources they earned.
Grant Amount: $1,898 The mission of Father Joe’s Villages is to prevent and end homelessness, one life at a time. They achieve their mission by providing outcome-based programs in the spirit of their CREED (Compassion, Respect, Empathy, Empowerment, and Dignity).
Grant Amount: $5,000 Metiv’s mission is to ensure that IDF veterans who experienced traumatic events during their service receive necessary mental health intervention. They do this by supporting Metiv’s Peace of Mind program. The veterans emerge with strengthened emotional and mental health, allowing for a healthier transition from military to civilian life.
The Leaders (returning students) aimed to invest in organizations that help with food insecurity during Covid-19.
The Program Officers (new students) focused on organizations that support teen mental health.
The 2020-21 participants awarded 7 grants to the organizations listed below for a total of $23,000.
Unique among all other organizations that serve the poor in Israel and food banks worldwide, Leket Israel’s sole focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need through partner nonprofit organizations.
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and their North County Food Bank chapter are committed to providing food assistance and resources to the 350,000 people they serve every month and those affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
San Diego Hunger Coalition leads coordinated action to end hunger in San Diego County supported by research, education, and advocacy. Their vision is that everyone in San Diego County has enough food for an active, healthy life.
Founded in 1998, Yad Ezra V’Shulamit began by delivering food baskets to fifty local families. Since then, it has expanded into a nation-wide operation which includes weekly and holiday food distributions of thousands of baskets and children’s centers feeding over 500 children every day.
JFS offers individual counseling and support groups for youth, couples, families and adults across the lifespan; areas of specialty include mood disorders, bereavement, aging, domestic violence, and issues impacting couples and families.
Project Proactive aims to break mental health stigmas and proactively alleviate barriers to health through spreading awareness and education.
Refuat Hanefesh strives to create a Jewish community that is more aware, respectful, and empathetic to people living with mental illness. Their vision is a supportive community that openly discusses mental health, works to improve overall well-being, and readily comes to the aid of those experiencing mental health challenges.
The Leaders (returning students) cohort aims to invest in organizations that conserve and protect the environment.
The Program Officers (first-time participants) cohort aims to invest in organizations that help children with special needs. The 2019-20 participants represented 7 different high schools and 6 synagogues.
They awarded 7 grants to the organizations below for a total of $21,855.
JNF is a nonprofit and United Nations NGO (non-governmental) organization that gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.
SDHC is a nationally accredited land trust working since 2004 to acquire, manage, and protect land that supports sensitive habitats and species.
The San Diego River Park Foundation is dedicated to fostering stewardship and appreciation of the region’s namesake waterway.
Friendship Circle creates friendship in the lives of individuals with special needs and those facing isolation while providing an opportunity to become a contributing member of the community.
The Shira Pransky Project brings successful healthcare navigation to English-speaking Israeli immigrants. Their models of healthcare advocacy and information outreach empower all populations struggling in Israeli Healthcare to access their rights and the best possible care.
This nonprofit provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.
Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities is a thriving global organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all Jewish individuals with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in every aspect of Jewish life.
Each organization received a grant in the amount of $3,122 from the Jewish Teen Foundation.
Central San Diego Cohort The Jewish Teen Foundation aims to invest in organizations improving mental health welfare.
North County San Diego Cohort The Jewish Teen Foundation aims to invest in organizations improving the welfare of domestic and wild animals.
The 2018-19 participants represented 7 high schools and 6 synagogues. They raised $28,800 to grant to the eight organizations below that best matched their mission statements.
Grant Amount: $3,500 Crossroads provides prevention and intervention programs for at-risk English-speaking teens and young adults in Israel who are struggling with social, emotional, and/or educational difficulties.
Grant Amount: $4,650 To effectively prevent and treat child abuse, Home Start addresses the conditions that can contribute to risky or abusive situations. Their vision is for every child to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
Grant Amount: $3,500 Founded in 1918, JFS is one of San Diego’s most impactful non-profit human services agencies – making a difference in the lives of more than 32,000 people every year.
Grant Amount: $2,700 North County Lifeline’s mission is to build self-reliance among youth, individuals and families through problem-solving, skill-building and accessible community-based services.
Grant Amount: $3,500 This nonprofit all breed rescue organization operates in Baja, Mexico and San Diego areas to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome cats and dogs.
Grant Amount: $3,500 Since 1987, the nonprofit Greyhound Adoption Center (Houndsavers) has rescued, rehabilitated and found loving homes for thousands of greyhounds.
Grant Amount: $3,500 The JSPCA is Jerusalem’s largest animal shelter organization, housing up to 300 dogs and 100 cats at any given time. In addition, they have a vet clinic with emergency capabilities.
Grant Amount: $3,950 Established in 2002, Lions, Tigers & Bears is a No Kill, No Breed, No Contact animal rescue, sanctuary, and educational facility located in east San Diego County.
The 2017-18 Jewish Teen Foundation aims to improve the lives of those affected by homelessness as a result of domestic violence.
The 2017-18 participants represented 9 different high schools and the spectrum of religious observance. They awarded five grants to the organizations below for a total of $22,000.
Grant Amount: $4500 The Alpha Project strives to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing work, recovery and support services to people who are motivated to change their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
Grant Amount: $4500 Bat Melech provides shelter, childcare, therapeutic counseling, legal services, and transitional aid to women and children who flee from life-threatening home situations in Israel.
Grant Amount: $4500 The Crisis House of San Diego responds immediately to stop the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness and connect families and individuals to crucial resources that empower them to renew their lives.
Grant Amount: $4250 Home Start’s mission is to assure the safety and resiliency of children by strengthening families and their communities. Their vision is for every child in San Diego to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment.
Grant Amount: $4250 The Shalom Task Force aims to prevent domestic abuse and promote peaceful family relations, and more specifically: a) to help access services for families who have suffered from domestic abuse; b) to provide other services as may be necessary, including without limitation, counseling, financial assistance, support services, and referral services; c) to provide educational programs about the problems of domestic abuse.
The 2016-17 Jewish Teen Foundation aims to invest in organizations improving mental health treatment for teens as well as individuals affiliated with the military.
Grant Amount: $5,000 to Outside in Youth Program The JDC works in 70 countries to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief for victims of natural and man-made disasters.
Grant Amount: $5,000 to Student Services Department ARTS is a nationally recognized, multidisciplinary creative youth development agency offering informal and professional creative experiences to build hope, confidence, and 21st Century life-skills among youth facing adversity.
Grant Amount: $2,500 to Positive Parenting Program Jewish Family Service is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego.
Grant Amount: $3,000 to Recovery Treatment Curriculum Mental Health Systems is a non-profit agency founded in 1978 to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities facing substance abuse and behavioral health challenges.
Grant Amount: $4,600 to At-Risk Teen Barrier Buster Fund North County Lifeline builds self-reliance among youth, individuals and families through problem-solving, skill-building and accessible community-based services.