Our Teen Hanukkah Celebration shined so brightly Thank you to our wonderful teen community, our staff, youth group partners (USY, BBYO Connecticut Valley Region, NUTSY, JSU, NCSY); our synagogue partners(Beth El Temple, West Hartford, CT, Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation, Congregation Beth Israel, Young Israel of West Hartford, Beth David Synagogue, The Emanuel Synagogue, Temple Sinai);Continue reading Teen Hanukkah Celebration 2023 Shined So Brightly →

This past Sunday, JTConnect teens came together to make more than 325 pumpkin pies for families in need in the Greater Hartford area. Teens also heard from Marilyn Rosetti, president and CEO of The Open Hearth Organization, about the realities of homelessness in the Greater Hartford area and the important work her organization does forContinue reading JTConnect Holds Biggest Teen Mitzvah Yet   →

JTConnect is excited to welcome our new Program Coordinator, Debra Raviv! Debbie is a West Hartford native who went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University as well as a Culinary Arts Degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. She and her husband have owned several businesses in the Greater Hartford areaContinue reading JTConnect Announces New Program Coordinator! →

This past Sunday, Teens learned about hygiene poverty and the importance Judaism places on human dignity, Kevod HaBeriyot. Dignity Grows lead us through an activity that challenged students to prioritize basic necessities with a very small budget. This activity illustrated the reality that many thousands of individuals and families have to choose between feeding theirContinue reading Dignity Grows Pre-Packing Party Education Session →

Our Summer of Service (SOS) Program is a weeklong social action campoffering teens (7th-10th graders) the chance to explore need in the world and our local community, develop key leadership skills and build relationships, and take a deep dive into understanding the causes and organizations they were volunteering with each day. Every morning we ranContinue reading 2nd Annual SOS Program Was A Success! →

JTConnect Board of Directors is excited to announce that Caroline Poland will be JTConnect’s new Executive Director.  Caroline comes to JTConnect with experience and a passion for Jewish teen education. Caroline holds a Masters of Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and has a strong background in nonprofit fundraising, program planning and development,Continue reading JTConnect Announces Incoming Executive Director Caroline Poland →

. “The teens took ownership and made thoughtful decisions for families we serve. Those thoughtful decisions will turn into happier holidays for many families in our community.” Continue reading Teens collect, wrap and deliver holiday gifts for JFS clients →

Hanukkah was jam packed with laughter and light for a full-week of activities, from lighting the community menorah at the Mandell JCC to collecting and wrapping gifts for the clients at Jewish Family Services.  The highlight of the week was the Saturday night Hanukkah celebration JTConnect hosted in partnership with local youth groups with over 130 teens in attendance.Continue reading Teens Spreading Light on Hanukkah →

TLPI Homelessness and Gender Equality GrantRequest for Proposal  Accepting Grant requests up to $3,000 Mission Statement:  TLPI is a group of Jewish high school students committed to learning about philanthropy through a Jewish perspective, cultivating our kindness and generosity through the donation of time and money. TLPI believes that the world stands on the JewishContinue reading TLPI Announces Homelessness and Gender Equality Grant →