Moving Traditions to bring together Jewish teen activists from across the US to make a difference
August 28, 2024 – Moving Traditions is proud to announce 43 newly selected 2024-2025 Kol Koleinu Teen Fellows from across the United States.
Moving Tradition’s Meyer-Gottesman Kol Koleinu Teen Feminist Fellowship is a distinctive opportunity for young Jewish feminists to learn how to effectively speak their minds and create the change they want to see in the world.
Now in its seventh year, the Fellowship is welcoming the next class of competitively selected teen activists to participate in three regional cohorts.
The full list of 2024-25 Moving Traditions Kol Koleinu Fellows has been published.
Open to Jewish 9th-12th grade girls, trans, and nonbinary teens nationwide, this year-long fellowship brings teens together online and in person to learn about feminism and social change. The fellows will meet monthly to use their expertise to create projects, together with adult social activist mentors, that teach their peers and advance positive change in their communities. Twelve of the fellows are returning as Teen Leaders, meaning they are participating in the Fellowship for a second year.
Kol Koleinu Fellowship is part of Moving Traditions’ suite of programs that aim to embolden thousands of Jewish youth each year – with 8,000 total program participants in 2023-24.
“Year after year, these incredible Kol Koleinu Fellows blow me away with their passion and drive to create change in their communities and the world at large,” said Shuli Karkowsky, CEO of Moving Traditions. “While studies show that some youth are disconnecting from Jewish life and many others are responding to word events with apathy and hopelessness, these young activists represent our best response to hard times: a continued commitment to change the world for the better.”
Past participants in Kol Koleinu have created capstone projects on a broad range of social issues, including body image, voting rights, the need for gender equality within their schools, menstrual justice, and inclusive sex education. A few highlights from last year’s fellows include:
- An Inside Look: Jewish Teens’ Mental Health in the Face of Antisemitism, an op-ed written by Zahava B. and Sylvie S., based on data they collected on how teens are coping since October 7
- Euphoria Torah, a graphic novel by Julia K. and Sylvie M. that explores the parallels between the themes of sexualization and objectification of women in modern media narratives, such as the show Euphoria, with biblical and Talmudic stories
- International Women’s Day Panel, a schoolwide event by Serena V. that invited women in STEM careers to talk with teen students about their experiences with gender inequality in the workforce
Project summaries and links can be found on the Moving Traditions website.
“Our teens today are dealing with so much – the typical joys and challenges of being a teen plus all of the issues plaguing our communities. When I read the fellow’s applications for Kol Koleinu, I was truly inspired by the ways these teens are not only handling day to day, but how they want to make lasting change.” says Paige GoldMarche, Director of Kol Koleinu. “I can’t wait to be a part of building their activist toolboxes to help them make their marks. We are building the next generation of Jewish feminist activism right now.”
The Hadassah Foundation, Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, and many generous individual donors have provided generous support to Moving Traditions to create and expand Kol Koleinu.