We have formed a partnership with Jewish Student Connection (JSC), a national non-profit organization, dedicated to establishing non-denominational Jewish clubs at public and secular private high schools. Clubs aim to engage Jewish and non-Jewish teens and meet them where they are by taking place in school during non-instructional time. Our goal is to provide a platform for Jewish teens to explore the many opportunities available to them and to expand their “Jew Crew”. We are currently offering this program at five schools in Orange County: Irvine High School, Northwood High School, OCSA, Fountain Valley High School and Corona del Mar High School. If you (or your teen) are interested in starting a club in another school, please contact Becca at [email protected].
Why JSC? Click HERE for more information.
FAQs:
Everything You Wanted to Know About JSC
Don’t see your question listed here? Visit their website at www.myjsc.org or contact the Bureau at 949.435.3450.
Is a Jewish club in a public school a violation of Separation of Church and State?
No. The Equal Access Act (“EAA”), adopted in 1984, requires that public schools treat all student- initiated groups equally. Specifically, if the school permits noncurriculum-related groups (like the chess club or cooking club) to meet during noninstructional time (like lunch hour or club hour), it must also permit other groups regardless of the religious, political or other orientation. Further, The Supreme Court reinforced this in its 2001 decision in “Good News v. Milford.” Consider a French club at your school. There French culture, history, holidays, cuisine, language and current events are discussed. Substitute Jewish culture for French; we now have the JSC Club at your school.
How is a JSC club started?
The key to starting a successful JSC club is having a teen leader. By law, public school clubs must be student-initiated and student-run. Often, a student will contact JSC and ask how to start a JSC at his/her school. At this point, the role of the JSC Advisor is to encourage and support the teen in navigating the school’s policies for forming an official school club. The student must do the following:
- Meet with the appropriate school official (usually the Assistant Principal for activities) to clarify what is required to initiate a school club.
- Identify a faculty member to serve as the club sponsor (a requirement of most schools–each club must have a faculty sponsor). The faculty member provides the meeting room, intervenes when it is necessary to maintain order, and provides the school administration with an adult contact. The Sponsor does not facilitate the club.
- File all necessary paperwork with the school administration. This may include a constitution (you can get a template from our National Office—just ask us ) and a petition from other like-minded students.
- Choose a meeting day and time, and set and publicize a first meeting date.
When does a JSC club meet?
A club can meet during any noninstructional time, depending on the school’s general guidelines. Lunch time is the preferred meeting time since teens are on campus but not in class. At some schools, when lunch isn’t feasible due to bell schedules or conflicting activities, clubs meet before or after school.
What takes place during club meetings?
- Each club functions a little differently from the next, but the content of the weekly meeting may include, among other things:
- A club business meeting
- Speakers from other organizations
- Visitors from Israel
- A discussion or debate on current events
- Holiday celebrations
- Falafel-eating contests
- A game of “Jewpardy”…and other great activities. Free food is always provided, and there is usually some other type of food available—Edible Ice cream maps of Israel, anyone?
What does a school need to provide to a JSC club?
Only what your school provides to any other student club that exists; namely space and a faculty sponsor. These sponsors may either be volunteers on their own time or paid by the school district, as per local regulations. If the school does not provide these basic items, please contact us.
Is a JSC club just for Jewish students?
No. Surprisingly, roughly 20% of our participants do not self-identify as Jewish, and they are integral participants in our clubs. Often times these teens even become club leaders. There is no religious, ethnic or age requirement to participate in a JSC club. The only qualification is interest in the subject matter, and the ability to consume mass quantities of pizza.
What about JSC Professionals? Isn’t this a student run club?
All JSC clubs are student led. The role of a JSC professional is to provide your school and its students with top-notch programming, discussions, and speakers. In addition, these professionals may lead discussions from time to time, but primarily play the role of a facilitator in helping students.
Do JSC clubs engage in prayer or Bible study?
Rarely, if ever. JSC is a Jewish culture club with a focus on Israel, Jewish peoplehood, and social action. There may be Jewish texts brought into discussions or activities, but any prayer or Bible study that takes place is solely the initiative of the students involved, and not the JSC organization. Activities that occur in clubs and on school grounds must always be approved by the faculty sponsor and the school.
How can JSC help my school in other ways?
Our organization has access to many resources that can benefit your entire school, not just a small subset. Here are a few examples:
- Providing service hours to teens that participate in group projects
- Planning school-wide speakers or activities during Holocaust Remembrance Week
- Scholarship and study abroad opportunities for college-bound seniors
- Dialogue and sensitivity training opportunities between cultural, religious and ethnic groups
Is JSC affiliated with any religious denomination?
No. We used to be – and realized that in order to be a true conduit to the greater Jewish community, we needed to be a neutral party. We are – and are proud of that.
Over 400 students, parents, faculty and staff recently attended our first Jewish Club event at Irvine High School! This is the kind of thing that can happen when we empower our kids to establish their identity on school campuses and create community. We can’t wait to see what they do next!
