Page 45 - Jewish News_December 2021

FOCUS ON YOUTH December 2021 9B

cus on Y
outh
Focus on Youth
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o

A program of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, PJ Library & PJ
Our Way engages children between birth and age 12, and their families, with
books and activities that enhance their Jewish journey. Throughout the year,
families gather for story times and other special programs where they can
socialize and meet new friends. PJ is for any family raising Jewish children –
affiliated, unaffiliated, interfaith or non-traditional. The program is completely
free for families, thanks to the generosity of The Harold Grinspoon Founda-
tion, Edie and David Chaifetz, the Federation and other generous donors.
Unique as individuals, yet

together, one community READ—GATHER—GROW

PJ Library has partnered with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
®
By MG Berman, PJ Community Connector to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift of free, high-quality
children’s books, music, and resources that foster deeper engagement with
s parents we strive to teach our how to make the world work for me in- Jewish life in our community.
Meet JNF-USA’s new Aat times can be a challenge in stead of feeling as if it is against me. to start enhancing your family’s Jewish journey.
kids right from wrong, which
Join one of our PJ programs below
When you are young, and things are
Dream Israel Manager, a world with many controversies. We even a little different, it can be very Children 6 mo. - 8 yrs. Children 8 - 12
try to teach our kids how to treat oth-
hard to ask for help and feel it’s okay to
Zoë Carvel ers with kindness, do so. I have had to really teach myself
how to cook, tie
how to ask for help, and now I really
shoes and climb a try to encourage my son Jacob to ask
tree, yet we may for help when he gets stuck, even on Sign-up at
through talking to donors, that I real- forget a few other the smallest of things. I tell him all the Sign-up at
ized the critical need for more signif- important things time that it is okay to ask for help. Ask- JFEDSRQ.org/PJ pjourway.org
icant engagement in Zionist education until they say ing for help when young with a learn-
among young Jews. something to us. ing disability felt like the world was For more information, contact
Why are you so excited about Parenting is hard, against me and I did everything wrong, Jessi Sheslow
managing JNF-USA’s Dream Israel MG Berman but as a communi- but I now know it was not that way. jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
Teen Travel Initiative? ty we can help and support one another. I would spend hours doing home- 941.343.2109 PJ Library Sarasota-Manatee is generously
It’s exciting to be spearheading an Growing up, I was diagnosed with work, preparing for tests and just try- funded in part by Edie and David Chaifetz.
initiative that will have an impact on many learning challenges. It was dif- ing to figure out what that one sentence
the future of Jewish life and the Jewish ficult since I always had a tutor come meant. My parents were told that I
state. Dream Israel is not only provid- to school or went to one after school. would be lucky if I graduated college.
E
V
R
I
N
T
H
O
G
ing Jewish teens the opportunity to have Some people said they treated me the Not only am I a college graduate, but I
MP
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A
a life-changing study same as others, but to me they treated have held jobs people dream about such OVERNIGHT
abroad experience be- me differently. At times, I would feel as working the 2012 London Olympics
fore college, but it’s all alone in a big world, and I did not and Paralympic Games. More impor- Grants
also strengthening the know how to verbalize those feelings. tantly, I now work at Federation for PJ CAMP
next generation’s con- I just wanted to be like all my other Library.
nection to Zionism, classmates and friends. We as parents have a tough job in
Jewish identity and Why am I sharing this with you? balancing when and how to help our
commitment to Israel. Because learning challenges are more kids. What I can share, being that kid
There’s never been a common than we think, and I want to with learning challenges, is to encour-
more important time break the stigma. age your child to be the lunch buddy to The impact of Jewish camp lasts a lifetime. Children benefit from Jewish camp
for Dream Israel than I was the girl who had few friends the one sitting alone just because they experiences by learning to value their Jewish heritage. The Jewish Federation of
now and I’m looking because others didn’t know how to can. Encourage them to be the one who Sarasota-Manatee, in partnership with local philanthropists, offers incentive
forward to helping the treat me or talk to me. They saw me invites the child sitting off to the side and need-based grants for Jewish children planning to attend not-for-profit
initiative grow. as different. I may have been in some to come join on the swings or to come Jewish overnight camps for the summer. Applications are
How can students receive a grant special classes so my learning needs bike ride at your house. Be the one who accepted until
to put toward their study abroad were met, but that did not mean that I teaches by example what we all know Nov. 1, 2021 thru
program? wanted anything different from others but sometimes forget. Continue to en- Jan. 31, 2022.
Students can earn up to $7,500 to- my own age. It was hard and hurtful at courage your kids just as my parents
ward several long-term study abroad times. I just wanted to be like everyone did for me, as I would not be where I
programs that are facilitated by Ra- else and, in truth, all that was different am today without their encouragement.
mah TRY, Heller High and JNF-USA, was the way I learned things. I need- If this sounds all too familiar and
by fundraising for a JNF-USA philan- ed things written in color or said to me resonates with you, please email me at
thropic project in Israel. By incorpo- aloud many times. It was also helpful mgpjconnector@gmail.com or call me
rating a fundraising component, we’re to have time to process and think be- at 941.706.0027 to chat. As a commu-
instilling in young Jews the value of fore being asked for a response or for nity we are much stronger together.
tzedakah (charity) and making their my feedback. I still wanted to play on For more information about PJ
investment in the land and people of the playground, feel like part of the Library of Sarasota-Manatee, please
Israel that much more meaningful. group, be invited to birthday parties, visit jfedsrq.org/pj or contact Jessi
What is your advice to someone sleepovers and bike rides, and have Sheslow, Teen and Family Programs
who’s considering a long-term pro- someone to talk to at lunch. Manager, at jsheslow@jfedsrq.com or
gram in Israel? My learning challenges have not 941.343.2109.
Go! It looks great on college appli- changed over time, but I have learned
cations and, more importantly, you’ll APPLY AT
have the best experience of your life. Read the current and previous
jfedsrq.org/camp?utm_source=jewish-news
For more information about JNF- at JFEDSRQ.org/Camp
USA’s Dream Israel Teen Travel Initia- editions of The Jewish News at SPONSORED BY
tive, please visit jnf.org/dreamisrael or “Welcoming Shabbat”
photo courtesy of
contact Zoë Carvel at zcarvel@jnf.org jfedsrq.org/jewish-news Camp Coleman.
or 212.879.9305 x935.