JCC Association’s Merrin Center for Teen Engagement has selected 15 professionals working with teens in affiliated JCCs and camps in North America to participate in the acclaimed Merrin Teen Professional Fellows Program. Our very own Jon Zeftel is one of the people selected.
"I'm so honored to have been selected as a Merrin fellow" said Jon. "I've heard so much about the program from my supervisor, Alan Scher, who is a past participant. To have been selected fulfills a goal I've had since starting at the Y. I'm really looking forward to meeting other JCC professionals from around the country, sharing some best practices in the field of teen and youth engagement, and -- of course -- going to Israel next October!"
The program will feature five seminars held over 14 months, with the first gathering in New York City in January, 2015. This selective professional development program focuses on developing their leadership and management skills, learning how to serve teens more effectively, planning their career paths in the JCC Movement, and deepening their Jewish knowledge. One of the seminars is held in Israel.
The Merrin Teen Professional Fellows Program was started in 1999, with the support of Seth Merrin and Anne Heyman. Their partnership with JCC Association initiated this exceptional program to give those working with teens the skills to better serve a critical sector of the Jewish community. The program has enhanced the profile of those working with teens in their respective organizations and throughout the JCC Movement, enriched and deepened their Jewish identities, and built a stronger professional network of teen service providers across North America.
The Merrin Family Foundation has since deepened their commitment to the JCC Movement and Jewish teens by helping to establish the Merrin Center for Teen Engagement. This integrates the resources for teens provided to the field, including the JCC Maccabi programs (JCC Maccabi Games®, JCC Maccabi ArtsFest® and JCC Maccabi Israel®) and camping services.
