Student to Student (STS) is a research-backed program that empowers Jewish students to share their Jewish journey and identity with their non-Jewish peers and disrupt the growing patterns of ignorance that lead to antisemitism.
Bring Student to Student to Your High School
STS provides students with the opportunity to give classroom presentations on what being Jewish means for them. The presentations are free and designed for high school classroom settings to provide a calm, open dialogue and a safe space for student questions.
All presentations are done within the classroom period or time specified by the teacher. Our STS Teen Ambassadors come in teams of approximately four students and come prepared to discuss various aspects of Jewish culture and Judaism. Above all though, they share their personal narratives, talk about what it’s like to be a Jewish teen, and show the diversity of the Jewish community. STS come with props to increase awareness of the topics covered (including challah bread to share). We strive to enhance the classroom curriculum, and we aim to build upon it. We work with teachers and administrators to ensure this goal is achieved.
Apply Now
Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 cohort
Join us as a Student to Student Teen Ambassador and change perceptions of the Jewish community. Spend a small amount of time to make a big impact by breaking down cultural barriers, connecting with Jewish peers, and showing leadership. Share your Jewish journey with middle and high school students in San Diego County to combat antisemitism in schools and shape their views positively. Gain unique experiences, boost confidence in articulating your identity, and earn community service hours.
Funding Acknowledgement
Financial support for Student to Student is provided through the generosity of the Chortek Weissman Family, as part of The Peter & Elaine Chortek BRIDGE Initiative—Building Resilient Identity & Deep Global Engagement. The BRIDGE Initiative honors the Chorteks’ legacy by investing in the next generation, ensuring that Peter and Elaine’s values of dignity, service, resilience, and global peoplehood continue dor l’dor—from generation to generation.
Going Beyond the Classroom
The impact of a Student to Student presentation goes well beyond the classroom and the school day. After engaging with STS Teen Ambassadors, high school students better understand what it means to be Jewish in today’s world as well as the common practices and beliefs of Judaism. Students come away from with increased awareness of religious and cultural differences as well as commonalities, and it’s proven that they gain a greater desire to interrupt antisemitic incidents inside, and outside, school settings.
83% of teachers strongly agree that Student to Student presentations
break down stereotypes and effectively engage their students.
94% of teachers report that students continue to discuss what they learned from Student to Student presentations in their classrooms afterward.
Data source: 2019 report conducted by LS Associates, available upon request.
84% of students report that they have shared what they learned or have taken another step to learn more about Judaism. 27% say that they have interrupted an antisemitic comment.
78% of teachers believe that Student to Student presentations helped to counter antisemitism in their schools.
Originally created by Be the Narrative, a national nonprofit organization, STS has been operating for over 30 years and has been validated through independent research to change the lives of both Jewish and non-Jewish teens. By building bridges of understanding and appreciation between faiths, STS aims to disrupt patterns of ignorance and hatred that lead to antisemitism.
For Questions & More Info:
Testimonials
“They were phenomenal! The students were so relatable, so passionate, they were confident, and they had such clever approaches to engaging students. I really appreciated how they first taught about Judaism, and then addressed the Holocaust and anti-Semitism after teaching about their culture. It prioritizes that Judaism is a rich culture existing today, and not, as was stated, something to simply see through the eyes of the Holocaust or history books.”
– Student to Student Participating Teacher
“Overall, I think this is an excellent program that can do more for tolerance and understanding than any curriculum I could potentially teach.”
– Student to Student Participating Teacher
“It is through programs such as this that our communities learn to understand each other so that we can live in mutual respect and peace.”
– Student to Student Participating Teacher
“I always leave presentations with an incredible sense of accomplishment, realizing that through this program, I really could change some of the problems in the world today.”
– Student to Student Presenter
Frequently Asked Questions
Jewish students attending private and public schools in San Diego County who will be in grades 9th – 12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year are eligible to apply. Students do not have to be affiliated with a Jewish organization, congregation or denomination.
This program makes a big impact with a minimal time commitment from student participants. Students will meet for a one-day orientation session in December, in addition to occasional educational gatherings. Students can expect to leave school to present at least 1-2 times a semester. All time spent on the Student To Student program qualifies for community service hours.
Our initial year will consist of a cohort of 12-16 students, representing a diversity of religious denominations and affiliations.
Each presentation is given by a group of three or four students, ideally representing the different branches of Judaism.
STS participants make presentations in public and private middle and high schools in classes that focus on world history, literature classes, ethnic studies, ancient civilizations, human geography, and comparative religions; to name a few.
Presenters discuss a range of topics, including any or all of the following:
– A description of the branches of Judaism
– Who are the Jewish people
– The Jewish life cycle from birth to Bar/Bat Mitzvah to marriage to death
– The Sabbath
– Antisemitism and the Holocaust
– Israel
– The Hebrew language
– Jewish dietary practices
– The Jewish calendar, including holidays
Groups bring a variety of “props” into the classroom that help make their presentations come alive for their peers, including challah, a shofar, Shabbat candlesticks, personal pieces of Judaica and more. The group encourages their fellow students to ask questions. The subsequent discussions are a vital element of the program.
Materials will be provided and support given to help the students prepare. Because so much of these presentations reflect students’ personal experiences, they will come into the program with much of the expertise they need to give effective presentations. You will practice as a group to ensure you feel confident in your presentation skills and material you are presenting about.
We expect all students to give a minimum of 1-2 site visit presentations per a semester.
Presentations take place during the school day. Students are provided with letters for their school to excuse their absence. If a student is unable to drive or get a ride to the presentation, we can help to coordinate rides to and from the presentations.
