March 3, 2020 – The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is proud to fund Chalon L’atid (“window to the future”), which provides opportunities for Jewish students from Houston’s suburban congregations to participate in meaningful learning experiences.
Six Jewish teens from the Houston area joined more than 400 high school students from all reaches of the country in Washington, to educate themselves on numerous social justice issues through a Reform Jewish perspective.
Chalon L’atid teens are often the only Jewish students in their class and many times, the only Jewish students in their entire secular school. Being a teen is a challenging time and having to deal with Anti-Semitism, bullying and anti-Israel remarks, High Holy Days absences, the December Dilemma (Chanukah/ Christmas issues) Jewish ideals and more are challenging. Chalon L’atid integrates continuing enrollment in the religious school years immediately proceeding and following B’nai Mitzvah.
Within the Houston area of highest Jewish concentration there are valid programs provided for this age group from BBYO, the ERJCC, and URJ, but these programs are too far removed to make regular or even special participation for those of us living in the suburban ring around Houston. Chalon L’atid provides students with a chalon – a window – to Jewish adulthood by offering these Jewish education opportunities. This puts our teens in a comfortable Jewish community with new peers all dealing with the same questions and issues about being Jewish.