Youth Leadership

For generations, Jewish youth have been at the forefront of movements for change.

From Bundists organizing Jewish workers in the early 20th century to Jewish Freedom Riders fighting for civil rights in the 1960s, young Jews have played a critical role in labor movements, civil rights, and immigrant justice. This legacy of resistance and solidarity continues today, as young people organize to take on the defining struggles of our time.

As today’s youth confront economic inequality, climate change, and attacks on queer and marginalized communities, they are rising up to demand a future rooted in justice, dignity, and collective liberation.

JCUA empowers teens and young adults through two dedicated programs, providing opportunities to build organizing skills, take action, and connect with a vibrant community of young Jewish changemakers.

• Or Tzedek is a ten-month organizing fellowship for high school students (ages 14-18) looking to deepen their leadership and gain hands-on experience in community organizing. Through training, mentorship, and direct participation in grassroots campaigns, fellows develop the tools to fight for justice alongside directly impacted communities.

• JCUA’s Youth Organizing Caucus is an affinity space where Jewish teens and young adults from across Chicago and its suburbs meet regularly to organize, strategize, and take action. The caucus builds collective power among young Jews committed to racial and economic justice, offering a supportive community to continue learning and leading.

Both programs provide a strong foundation in Jewish activism and resistance, equipping participants with the skills and relationships to become lifelong organizers. Youth leaders are deeply involved in JCUA, taking on leadership roles within our multi-generational organizing committees.

Applications for Or Tzedek 2025-2026 are open now! Please apply by June 8th here. To learn more, contact JCUA’s Youth Leadership Coordinator, Talia Yaari (talia@jcua.org).