JYCA is a youth-led Jewish Social Justice Organization.
Our vision is to educate, empower and inspire young activists by building a community based on trust, respect and cooperative process.
In this safe environment we are able to use Jewish perspectives to examine ourselves and the world, inspiring greater political, social, environmental and cultural awareness and action.
OUR MISSION:
JYCA is a program created and led by youth to work towards progressive social change. We seek to educate, empower and inspire political, social, environmental and cultural awareness and action in young activists, guided by Jewish values of social justice.
Frequently Asked Questions about JYCA!
1. What is it?
JYCA is Jewish Youth for Community Action. We're a community where you are given the chance to connect with other teens through life, community action, caring community and Jewish social justice values. It is a group of dedicated youth who act to make a difference in their communities. JYCA is fun, exciting, eye-opening, social, and an awesome, open place.
2. What do you do?
You meet incredible, inspiring people, make new friends, learn how everyone can make a difference in the world, learn about and try to help fix the many problems of the world. There are Leadership Training Sessions twice a month, plus retreats, community events, opportunities to do activism and community organizing and service. There are opportunities to engage in every part of JYCA. Youth-led means there are youth on the Board of Directors, all the committees, and planning all events.
3. Who’s in it?
High school aged youth from around the Bay Area interested in gaining leadership skills and participating in progressive social action. We are a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious community of young people who honor and care about social justice, activism and learning about the ways Jewish traditions and values can support our activism.
4. What’s the commitment?
JYCA starts with a The Leadership Group in Training (LGiT) that meets twice a month. It begins in January and runs for six months, through the first week of June. The six months include two weekend retreats. All members participate in community activism. After completing the Leadership Group in Training, you can join the Organizing Group, the OG, and lead workshops, plan events, lead organizing efforts, participate in higher level trainings and OG retreats. The OG runs from September through June, meeting twice a month, and participants have the option of continuing on with the OG each year of high school.
1. What is it?
JYCA is Jewish Youth for Community Action. We're a community where you are given the chance to connect with other teens through life, community action, caring community and Jewish social justice values. It is a group of dedicated youth who act to make a difference in their communities. JYCA is fun, exciting, eye-opening, social, and an awesome, open place.
2. What do you do?
You meet incredible, inspiring people, make new friends, learn how everyone can make a difference in the world, learn about and try to help fix the many problems of the world. There are Leadership Training Sessions twice a month, plus retreats, community events, opportunities to do activism and community organizing and service. There are opportunities to engage in every part of JYCA. Youth-led means there are youth on the Board of Directors, all the committees, and planning all events.
3. Who’s in it?
High school aged youth from around the Bay Area interested in gaining leadership skills and participating in progressive social action. We are a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious community of young people who honor and care about social justice, activism and learning about the ways Jewish traditions and values can support our activism.
4. What’s the commitment?
JYCA starts with a The Leadership Group in Training (LGiT) that meets twice a month. It begins in January and runs for six months, through the first week of June. The six months include two weekend retreats. All members participate in community activism. After completing the Leadership Group in Training, you can join the Organizing Group, the OG, and lead workshops, plan events, lead organizing efforts, participate in higher level trainings and OG retreats. The OG runs from September through June, meeting twice a month, and participants have the option of continuing on with the OG each year of high school.
5. What’s the Jewish aspect of it?
We talk about the ties between Judaism and social justice, we reflect on issues within and facing Jewish communities, and we celebrate Shabbat and Havdallah on retreats (these celebrations are optional, and we welcome and include people of all faith traditions as a part of our community). We also celebrate some of the Jewish holidays together such as Channukah. Again, everyone is welcome regardless of your experience with Judaism.
6. Do I have to be Jewish to join?
No! Almost each year, we have non-Jews participate in our programs. We just ask that you be open to looking at the issues we discuss through a Jewish social justice lens.
7. What's the action aspect of it?
We learn about issues that are important to us and then figure out ways to educate and help. We attend social justice events as a community. We organize campaigns and projects around specific issues. We take action together, engage in political advocacy, organize our communities together, and learn to stand up vocally and publicly for what we believe in.
8. What’s the cost?
Tuition is on a sliding-scale fee, based on income and ability to pay
The Leadership Group in Training
LGiT (Jan-June) $800 - $1,200
The Organizing Group (Sept-June) $1,600 - $2,400
Please inquire about payment plans and scholarships if needed. We make every effort possible to ensure that JYCA is accessible to everyone.
9. How do I join?
Go to our Join JYCA page and fill out an online application there!
We talk about the ties between Judaism and social justice, we reflect on issues within and facing Jewish communities, and we celebrate Shabbat and Havdallah on retreats (these celebrations are optional, and we welcome and include people of all faith traditions as a part of our community). We also celebrate some of the Jewish holidays together such as Channukah. Again, everyone is welcome regardless of your experience with Judaism.
6. Do I have to be Jewish to join?
No! Almost each year, we have non-Jews participate in our programs. We just ask that you be open to looking at the issues we discuss through a Jewish social justice lens.
7. What's the action aspect of it?
We learn about issues that are important to us and then figure out ways to educate and help. We attend social justice events as a community. We organize campaigns and projects around specific issues. We take action together, engage in political advocacy, organize our communities together, and learn to stand up vocally and publicly for what we believe in.
8. What’s the cost?
Tuition is on a sliding-scale fee, based on income and ability to pay
The Leadership Group in Training
LGiT (Jan-June) $800 - $1,200
The Organizing Group (Sept-June) $1,600 - $2,400
Please inquire about payment plans and scholarships if needed. We make every effort possible to ensure that JYCA is accessible to everyone.
9. How do I join?
Go to our Join JYCA page and fill out an online application there!
10. What’s the process and timeline for joining?
We begin accepting applications for the new Leadership in Training Group in the Fall. We have info sessions where you can learn more during the fall and Leadership Group in Training (LGiT) begins in January.
We begin accepting applications for the new Leadership in Training Group in the Fall. We have info sessions where you can learn more during the fall and Leadership Group in Training (LGiT) begins in January.
JYCA is an innovative leadership program dedicated to empowering Jewish youth and contributing to social justice. JYCA forms a tight-knit group in which every individual is respected and valued, everyone's ideas are taken seriously and enthusiastic participation is the norm.
Leadership Group in Training
The Leadership Group in Training (LGiT) is JYCA’s six month long innovative leadership training program. Youth may apply in the Fall of each year to join with a group that starts in January and continues through the first week of June (we don’t meet over the summer). LGiT Participants:
Youth then have the option to continue on with the O.G. following their first 6 month period.
The Leadership Group in Training (LGiT) is JYCA’s six month long innovative leadership training program. Youth may apply in the Fall of each year to join with a group that starts in January and continues through the first week of June (we don’t meet over the summer). LGiT Participants:
- Attend bi-monthly (2 times a month) Sunday Leadership Training Sessions which introduce youth to the skills and analysis they need be leaders for change in their communities and in social justice movements
- Get a chance to bond with other passionate youth during three weekend retreats
- Become community activists by participating in the social justice campaign chosen by the group
- Meet amazing people and build a fun, supportive and inclusive community
- Gain focused skills training in fundraising for social justice
- Learn the secrets of games like “Toy Truck,” “Dead Fish Live Fish” and “Mutant Pterodactyl”
Youth then have the option to continue on with the O.G. following their first 6 month period.
What is the O.G.?
The “the Organizing Group” (The O.G) are youth leaders who have completed the Leadership Group in Training. They have their own dynamic Leadership Training Sessions, and also use the facilitation and leadership skills they learned during their program to lead the next LGiT group. OG's have their own retreat, plan social justice events, and have tons of ways of getting involved and creating their own projects through JYCA. OG runs from September through June each year. JYCA'ns have the option to continue on with the OG each year they are in high school.
The “the Organizing Group” (The O.G) are youth leaders who have completed the Leadership Group in Training. They have their own dynamic Leadership Training Sessions, and also use the facilitation and leadership skills they learned during their program to lead the next LGiT group. OG's have their own retreat, plan social justice events, and have tons of ways of getting involved and creating their own projects through JYCA. OG runs from September through June each year. JYCA'ns have the option to continue on with the OG each year they are in high school.
