From a first Jewish book or summer at camp to teen travel, leadership and connection with Jewish peers around the world, there are many ways for young people to find their place in Jewish life.
Jewish Federation of San Diego helps families access those opportunities. We invest in programs for children and families, provide grants and subsidies that make meaningful Jewish experiences more affordable, and create experiences for teens that connect them with one another, Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
Find resources and experiences that can help make Jewish life part of your family’s everyday life.
PJ Library sends free, age-appropriate Jewish books to families with young children each month, bringing Jewish stories, traditions and values into the home.
In San Diego, PJ Library is offered through Lawrence Family JCC with support from Federation.
For many kids, Jewish overnight camp is where friendships, traditions and a sense of Jewish belonging come together.
One Happy Camper provides eligible first-time campers with grants of up to $1,000 toward a qualifying Jewish overnight camp experience.
Looking for Jewish preschool, day school, religious school, camp or youth programming? Explore organizations and opportunities throughout San Diego County in our Community Directory.
The teenage years bring new questions, independence and opportunities to decide what being Jewish means personally.
Federation creates and supports experiences that give San Diego teens room to explore those questions with their peers. Through travel, leadership, education and financial support, teens can build relationships here at home, encounter Jewish communities around the world and develop the confidence to bring their own Jewish identities into the spaces they occupy every day.
Israel Unfiltered gives San Diego Jewish high school students an opportunity to experience Israel alongside their peers.
Rather than learning about Israel only from a distance, participants spend time in the country, meet Israelis and explore its people, places and complexities firsthand.
BRIDGE-supported
The Global Ambassador Program connects San Diego Jewish teens with Jewish teens from communities around the world.
Participants travel together, experience Jewish life in another community and later help welcome international peers to San Diego. Past exchanges have connected San Diego teens with communities including Sofia, Budapest and Mexico City.
BRIDGE-supported
Sometimes the most effective person to explain what it means to be a Jewish teenager is another teenager.
Student to Student trains San Diego Jewish high school students to share their own experiences with non-Jewish students in local classrooms. Ambassadors present in small teams, answer questions about Judaism and Jewish life, and help create space for conversation that can challenge stereotypes and misinformation.
BRIDGE-supported
A retreat, conference or trip can connect a teen with Jewish peers and experiences well beyond their everyday routine. Cost should not be the reason they miss that opportunity.
Federation offers grants of $72 to $540 for eligible San Diego Jewish teens in grades 6–12 participating in qualifying multi-day Jewish retreats, conferences and trips outside San Diego County.
Building Resilient Identity & Deep Global Engagement
The Peter & Elaine Chortek BRIDGE Initiative is a five-year commitment from the Chortek Weisman family to expand opportunities for San Diego Jewish teens to build strong Jewish identities, develop as leaders and connect with Jewish people around the world.
BRIDGE supports the Global Ambassador Program, Student to Student and Teen Immersive Experience Grants, helping more teens participate regardless of their family’s financial circumstances or where they live in San Diego County.
The initiative honors the legacy of Peter and Elaine Chortek, z”l, and their lifelong commitment to dignity, Jewish education, service and community.
Explore upcoming programs and events for children, teens and families from Federation and organizations across the San Diego Jewish community.
Nothing on the calendar for families right now. New listings go up as partner organizations submit them.
You don’t need to know the name of the right program. Tell us what your child or teen is interested in, and we can help point you toward opportunities that may be a good fit.
For questions about camp grants, teen experiences or Federation teen programs, contact:
