Westchester Teens Represent UJA at Tree of Life Commemoration

J-Teen Leadership, and Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership represented UJA-Federation of New York as a teen delegation to Pittsburgh on Sunday, October 27, 2019, the one-year anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue tragedy.

The teens experienced interfaith learning at a mosque and a church, volunteered with a local Jewish organization, visited the Tree of Life synagogue, and attended the community memorial.

“UJA’s presence was loud and clear with us being there, our actions and intentions. It was one of the most emotionally difficult memorials I've ever attended, but there is no way to fight hate without showing up”, commented Guy Felixbrodt, Director, J-Teen Leadership. “I was so proud of our teens’ commitment, mannerism and dedication despite of all the challenges.”

Photo Captions:

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(l-r) Teens from Calvary Episcopal Church (holding shirts) met with J-Teen Leadership Westchester delegates Ethan Wolland (Bedford), Yadid Orlow (White Plains), Alyssa Harris (Pawling, NY), Guy Felixbrodt (J-Teen Leadership Director), Kate Solomon (NYC), Jake Goldman (Armonk), Caroline Mayer (Rye).

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(l-r) Back- Guy Felixbrodt (J-Teen Leadership) Director, Kate Solomon (New York City), Kadijah Spence (J-Teen Leadership Social Justice Coach), Ethan Wolland (Bedford), Caroline Mayer (Rye), Alyssa Harris (Pawling), Yadid Orlow (White Plains), Jake Goldman (Armonk)

About J-Teen Leadership

J-Teen Leadership, a program of UJA-Federation of New York, is a community service, leadership development program for Jewish high school students from all backgrounds and affiliations who want to make a difference in the world today. Teen-led local projects and long-distance learning service trips are meaningful and fun, and provide a platform for teens to develop a collective voice, connect to other teens and become change agents in repairing the world.

About UJA-Federation of New York:

For more than 100 years, UJA-Federation has brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors impact the issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA-Federation extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org .