Our Program
Teen JUST-US Boston is a unique summer internship experience for Jewish teens entering 11th and 12th grade who are committed to making a difference in their own communities. Participants pursue their passion and purpose through direct engagement with local agencies and organizations that work to make the world a better place.
Join Teen JUST-US Boston for the Summer!
- Meet amazing teens who want to make a difference right here in the Boston area
- Gain real-world experience in a paid summer internship
- Learn how Judaism connects to social justice and how you can reflect Jewish values
- Talk about and work on big challenges we face today—the clock running out on climate change, immigrants at our borders, and more
- Have fun and participate in hands-on projects with an extraordinary community
Internship Experience
- Teens will work at a local social justice organization on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, working on projects such as event planning, research, or creating materials for populations served. In some organizations, interns will also have the opportunity for hands-on service.
Cohort Time
- Teens will meet as a group on Wednesdays and Fridays, to participate in leadership development activities, learn about social service/social justice from a Jewish perspective, and engage with speakers who are active in social justice activities or recipients of social justice organizations’ services.
- The group will participate in a weekly field trip with a hands-on social justice group experience.
- The group will celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat together on Fridays.
Dates
2024 Summer Program:
June 24 – August 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the dates for this program?
A: The Teen JUST-US Boston Summer Program will run for 6 weeks during the summer of 2023, from June 26 to Aug 4.
Q: How will teens spend their time during this summer experience?
A: Teens will work at a local social justice organization on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am – 5 pm. Teens will participate in service learning, field trips, and leadership development on Wednesdays from 9 am – 5 pm and Fridays from 9 am – 4 pm and will join for Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday afternoons.
Q: What type of work will teens do at internship sites?
A: We are working with a range of social justice organizations to plan one or more projects for teens to complete at our internship partners. Examples of this include research, event planning, or creating materials for populations served.
Q: Do teens need to belong to a synagogue or have participated in formal Jewish education to apply?
A: No. Teen JUST-US Boston welcomes teens with all levels of Jewish education and exposure from unaffiliated to observant. We believe everyone can and should engage in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and that all teens will have a meaningful experience in our program.
Q: What if applicants are not available for all six weeks that the program runs?
A: Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept applicants who cannot commit to the full six weeks. This is due to the time and dedication needed for both individual intern commitments and cohort experiences.
Q: If teens do not have access to a car or have a license, can they participate?
A: Yes! All our internship partners are accessible by public transportation. We will provide transportation for cohort field trips.
Q: Can teens drive to internship or cohort activities?
A: We ask that all interns travel via public transportation.
Q: Do teens need prior internship or work experience? How will you prepare teens for success at the internship locations?
A: Teen JUST-US Boston will provide relevant support and development. We will host a Spring Launch Program for all interns to meet their peers and prepare for their internships.
Q: Will teens receive compensation for their internships?
A: Yes. All teens will be paid a $1000.00 stipend upon successful completion of all parts of the internship program.
Q: Is there a deposit for participating in this program? Why?
A: Yes. Applicants who are accepted will be asked to pay a $250.00 deposit which will be refunded after successful completion of the program. Applicants who are accepted and pay the deposit, but later opt to spend their summer in another way, will forfeit the deposit. Since we can accept a limited number of interns, this policy is designed to ensure that interns are committed to the summer experience. Any interns who wish to be exempted from the deposit due to financial circumstances should reach out to Teen JUST-US staff with this request.
Internship Partners
We are incredibly fortunate to partner with amazing greater Boston organizations. The following were partners for the 2022 summer:
Community Partners
We are incredibly fortunate to partner with amazing community organizations.
