Page 46 - Jewish News_January 2022

10B January 2022 FOCUS ON YOUTH

A look back at 2021, as we STEP into 2022

By Jessi Sheslow, Teen & Family Programs Manager
t the beginning of the 2021- answer for issues that are topical and versation about housing insecurity and to volunteer with All Faiths Food Bank
22 school year, we were crav- sometimes divisive? We get the oppor- homelessness, our teens wanted to vol- at the beginning of 2022.
Aing human interaction. Right tunity to read articles or watch short unteer for families who were in need. Thanks to their participation in
off the bat, STEP (Shapiro Teen En- videos before we meet and have a dis- First, we tried Habitat for Humanity, Federation’s STEP, local teens are get-
gagement Program) members met in cussion. The conversations are always but due to Covid-19 there were too ting the chance to meet and engage
person, outdoors and masked, for our robust and often open up new opportu- many restrictions. We now have plans with teens from different synagogues,
STEP Open House. The teens met nities, specifically to volunteer. While high schools and summer camps. They
with me, while their parents met with offering volunteer hours to the STEP are creating a vibrant Jewish commu-
members of the STEP parent commit- teens is a high priority, one of the high- nity amongst themselves while doing
tee. We all had the opportunity to get est for me is giving our teens a founda- good for everyone around them. To-
to know each other and learn about the tion to be proud of their Judaism, our gether we have talked about Housing
programming options for the school homeland Israel and to build a strong Insecurity, Immigration and Criminal
year. I shared that what I presented to community in Sarasota-Manatee. Justice Reform, and in the coming
them was not set in stone, and could Some examples of our teens step- year we will talk about Environmental-
be looked at as a guide. Since then, we ping up as good citizens include ar- ism and Women’s Rights. How do the
have had a perfect combination of pre- ranging an “essential items” drive issues of today connect with our Juda-
planned and spontaneous programs. for Afghan refugees resulting in lo- ism? That’s what STEP is talking about
The foundation of our program- cal news coverage, partnerships with this year!
ming consists of monthly meetings JFCS of the Suncoast and the Sarasota For more information about the
during which we take current social County Sheriff’s Office, and good will Shapiro Teen Engagement Program,
justice issues and connect them with from so many community members. contact me at jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
our Judaism. Does Judaism have an Another example is that after our con- or 941.343.2109, and visit jfedsrq.org/
step. Temple Beth Sholom
Lucy Thomas with her Tzedakah Box
Youth Group update

Michel Trope Mayer, Maxwell Fletcher, Gustavo Trope Mayer, Megan Meese, Caroline Spiegel,
STEP teens gather safely outside Jessi Sheslow, Gabrielle Meese, Spencer Cohen, Michela Hazan

December 5,

2021

STEP teens gathered for a Chanukah celebration. [Back row:
Gustavo Trope Mayer, Jessi Sheslow (STEP program manager), Megan
Meese, Gabrielle Meese, Caroline Spiegel, Tyler Ruben, Michel Trope
Mayer. Front row: Michela Hazan and Abbie Mount with Chanukiah]

Are you a high
school junior or
senior interested
in visiting certain
Florida colleges and
universities? Lighting the Chanukiah

If so, please visit
JFEDSRQ.org/Teens
to fill out the interest form.

We must reach a STEP discussing criminal justice reform
minimum number of
teens for it to move
forward, so let us know
if you're interested!

There will be a cost per
student and it will be an STEP TEENS ARE AWESOME! Abbie Mount wore her
overnight weekend trip. Chanukah shirt.
STEP
a

For more information about the Shines Light
college tour or STEP, contact
JESSI SHESLOW at
jsheslow@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2109 as bright as the Chanukiah
JFEDSRQ.org/STEP as our teens learned, discussed and had fun this Chanukah!