Submission #28308 by Park Avenue Synagogue Men'S Club - New York, NY (816)

Submission information
Submitted by jbrody627
Mon, 2023-04-24 19:16
47.20.34.190
2023
I have read the 2023 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Club Name
Park Avenue Synagogue Men'S Club - New York, NY (816)
TZEDEK Youth Initiative
Club Representative
Person completing form
Dr. Jeff Shore
Dr. Steven
Mandel
Club President at time of convention if known at this time
Steven
Darling
Club President Now
Steven
Darling
Family and Youth Programming

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The Tzedek Program is for youth, and leadership between the ages of 13-19.

They will develop projects related to the Jewish Community which can include antisemitism,
climate change, Gender, Jews of Color, Mental illness and others of their choosing.

There will be scholarships/ plaques, letters of accommodation and more.

This is a great opportunity to develop leadership in the Jewish Community.

TZEDEK Youth Initiative Ethics, Responsibility, Justice.

This quote below is says why this is such an important program.

Take risks, raise your voice and push everyone to do better.” - Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Purpose:
Park Ave Synagogue created the Tzedek Program and opened it to the NYM region.

The NYM/FJMC Region is committed to promote social justice and well-being in education and programming.
As a Region we want to encourage “caring for the other” and the opportunity for personal growth, activism, and leadership.

Tzedek is designed to stir up students and teenager ideas from NYM/FJMC members Synagogues with a mission of developing community programs to address Jewish values that can have an impact on the Jewish community.
The areas of Jewish values are:
1. Jews of the Diaspora.
2. Mental health, suicide, and addiction – especially within our youth.
3. Diversity, equity, and inclusion of underserved populations to include race, ethnicity, LGBTQ, gender Jews of color those with physical and mental disabilities.
4. Antisemitism.
5. Climate and environmental change.

Eligibility and requirements:
 Applicants must be members of the New York Metro Region clubs in good standing.
 Boys and Girls 12 – 18.
 Approval for their proposal from their Synagogue Men’s Club and Committee of the New York
Metro FJMC.
 With approval, the student will then begin his/her project.
 The program can take place either within the synagogue or outside in the community.
Awards Committee Composed of the Regional President, Drs. Steven, and Heidi Mandel, and three additional members chosen by the NYM Executive Committee.

Critical Date:
Programs need to be completed by April 2023 to be considered, along with a written summary of their project.

Awards and Recognition:
There will be a maximum of four awards recipients per year of $250.00 per student. The student will receive a plaque of recognition.
Recognition at the Man of the Year event.
Recognition in the Regional newsletter.
Recognition on the Regional website.
Attachments
Self Assessment
● Currently there are 9 youth members enrolled into the PAS Tzedek program.
● These PAS youths are engaged in several diverse topics:
○ Combating Parkinson's
○ Reach out to multi-generations how to better understand the differences - creation of podcasts.
○ Mental Health podcasts
○ Connecting athletes with patients with the goal of fund-raising by selling athletes clothing
○ Women funding Women's activities with specific focus on African women
○ Food Pantry - ongoing at PAS for several years
○ Dress equity - collection of used clothing with the emphasis to fund-raise.
○ Creation of an Antisemitism task force
As you can see from the impact statement, this program supports youth and families. This program also touches some of the other programs such as community outreach, health and wellness, Inclusion, education. This program touches all of those and more. The program is making an impact on multiple generations of Jews and families.
The region is fully behind the Tzedek program because it embraces the mission that the NY Metro Region is committed to. All of the areas for the Tzedek program are Jewish values. We look forward to the program becoming a success in our own community and growing in the region as well.

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Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes