Photo: Left to right; Laizer Kornwasser, National Vice President of the OU and Co-Chairman of NCSY Youth Commission; Rabbi Dr. Joshua Joseph, Executive Vice President and COO of the OU; Tiffany Yankovich, National Development Director of NCSY; Becky and Avi Katz, Guests of Honor; Rabbi Micah Greenland, International Director of NCSY, Moishe Bane, President…
The Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation (OJCYF) is a program of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF), designed to encourage a lifelong passion for Jewish philanthropy, leadership and community. Through OJCYF, high school students develop a deep understanding of the importance and operations of nonprofit organizations. They evaluate local Jewish and secular organizations through…
If the first of May slipped by you somehow and you’d still like to apply to Tivnu: Building Justice’s 2021-22 Gap Year cohort, there’s good news: they still have a few spots left and there’s an information session coming up May 13 at 5 pm to answer any questions that stand between you and…
Have you heard of HPV-related oral cancer? Jason Mendelsohn hadn’t heard of it until he diagnosed with Stage IV human papillomavirus-related tonsil cancer. Now he is passionate about educating parents about the importance of the HPV vaccine for boys and girls, as well as promoting oral cancer screenings for adults. Oregon Jewish Life shared his…
Overnight camps help young campers learn valuable life skills that enhance their lives in college and beyond. Numerous studies have shown youth benefit from attend- ing sleep-away camps. The American Camp Association lists numerous benefits young people develop through their experiences at residential camps. In terms of social skills development, campers learn leadership, communication and…
COURAGE by Zoe Fanning, St. Clare Middle School, Portland, was the Grand Prize Art Winner in this year’s Sala Kryszek Art and Writing Contest of the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center. Fanning was also the grand prize winner for her writing entry, One Word Can Change a Life. Each year the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center sponsors an…
Meira Spivak is trying to solve a major problem facing the Jewish community today – how to reach unaffiliated Jewish teens. As NCSY’s Oregon teen programming director, Spivak is in charge of local Jewish Student Unions – Jewish culture clubs in high schools. JSU has more than 300 clubs across North America and has expanded…
A bat mitzvah project nine years ago has evolved into a program that continues to change lives and enrich community. The Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation unites high school students who have a deep interest in Jewish philanthropy and helping the community. OJCYF teens visit Jewish and non-Jewish organizations to learn what they do and…
Art therapy offers adolescents an alternative method for exploring personal problems and emotional issues. Linda Zahavi, a national and board certified art therapist and active member of Portland’s Congregation P’nai Or, has a growing local practice on Southwest Boones Ferry Road. She uses art therapy as an effective means for patients to explore their feelings…
