A community collaboration that launched in January 2015, the Boulder Jewish Teen Initiative (BJTI) is making a grand entrance into its second full year of programming! With a newly designed website it is easier to understand their role in the community and access all the options available for Jewish teens in the Greater Boulder area. They have even created a quick form for organizations in town to have their events featured on the BJTI site. Check it our here!

A core component of this initiative is giving teens ownership and a stage to flex their skills and expertise. The BJTI Teen Advisory Board, nicknamed HaMitbach (The Kitchen), is a core group of teens from all affiliations, backgrounds and aspirations that vision and create programming for their peers.  At their monthly gatherings they are concurrently learning 21st century skills that are applicable to all facets of their High School lives

BJTI is also bridging the gap of a national trend where students disengage after their B’nai Mitzvah year by launching a community-wide 8th grade program this September. Aptly named NaviG8, this 23-session program will focus on expanding these teens’ peer group, exploring diverse ways to be Jewish, and preparing them for the transition from Middle School to High School.  Spaces are already filling up so register soon!  If you would like to attend an information session about this program please be in touch with the BJTI staff.

Join the Boulder teen community on September 14th for “The Big Deal” as they participate in the Boulder JCC community night.  Food Trucks, lawn games, an acapella band, free giveaways, and an opportunity to meet new peers as the school year gets off to a start!