Applications Now Open!
Do you want to participate in a leadership program centered on advocacy, dialogue, and bridge-building? Interested in a unique civil rights trip to Alabama and meeting with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.? Are you wanting to connect with fellow leaders and hone your networking skills?
AJC’s Atlanta Black/Jewish Teen Initiative (BJTI) ensures future leaders develop advocacy skills, build lasting relationships with their peers, and gain an increased understanding of the history and experiences of the Black and Jewish communities. Students will finish the program with deeper knowledge, newfound relationships, a stronger sense of identity, and practical skills such as public speaking to prepare them to be the next generation of changemakers. BJTI is a program of the Atlanta Black/Jewish Coalition.
Applications are due by Monday, April 20.
What to Expect
Sessions in this selective leadership program will cover the history of Black/Jewish relations, understanding racism and antisemitism (hatred of Jews), exploring the diversity within each community, discussing critical issues in the world today, and developing skills including public speaking and advocacy. Plus, students will gain new skills in public speaking and navigating complex conversations, preparing them for leadership in college and beyond.
In the past, students have met with leaders such as Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, Alabama State Rep. Phil Ensler, Georgia State Rep. Esther Panitch, Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves, Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, Sherry Frank, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Washington Bureau Chief Tia Mitchell, Dentons partner Steve Labovitz, former FBI agent Brian Davis, and the late civil rights activist Joanne Bland.
Who Should Apply
If you are a high school junior or senior living in the Greater Atlanta area who identifies as Black and/or Jewish, and is interested in leadership, advocacy, or dialogue, this program is made for you.
We’re looking for students who are intellectually curious, have demonstrated leadership capacity, and are interested in expanding their understanding of the world. Students should plan to attend all sessions and trips.
What You’ll Leave With
Graduates will gain critical leadership qualities and the confidence to engage in difficult and nuanced conversations as they enter college. Through monthly sessions and our two trips, participants will cultivate key relationships with like-minded peers and build powerful networks for advocacy.
Students will leave the program with newfound relationships with peers from different backgrounds and a deeper understanding of both themselves and those around them. They’ll join a network of nearly 100 BJTI alumni at top colleges and universities, and have exposure to the more than 600+ alumni of Project Understanding, the Black/Jewish Coalition’s adult leadership program.
Mark Your Calendar
The 2026-2027 session dates are listed below, but keep in mind that they are subject to change:
- Session 1: Sunday, August 30, 2026
- Session 2: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Parent Orientation: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Civil Rights Trip: Sunday, November 8 - Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Family Shabbat Dinner: Friday, December 4, 2026
- Session 4: Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Session 5: Sunday, January 31, 2027
- D.C. Trip: Sunday, February 21 - Tuesday, February 23, 2027
- Session 7: Sunday, March 14, 2027
- AJC’s Atlanta Unity Seder: Date TBA, early April
- Session 8: Sunday, April 18, 2027
All trips are fully subsidized.
Applications are due by Monday, April 20.
The Black/Jewish Teen Initiative is generously funded by the Redstone Family Foundation and JTeen, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Questions? Contact Sam Halpern at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
BJTI is only open to rising high school juniors and seniors in the greater Atlanta area who identify as Black and/or Jewish. You do not need to be both Black and Jewish, though we welcome Black Jews!
What is the time commitment?
Each student session will last approximately three hours. The Fall overnight trip will take place Sunday through Monday and the Spring overnight trip Sunday through Tuesday. School excuse letters will be provided for both.
What is the attendance policy?
Participants are expected to commit to attending all sessions and both overnight trips. Students who fail to consistently attend will be asked to leave the program.
Does it cost anything?
No, this program is free, thanks to generous support from the Redstone Family Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and JTeen, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
How long is the application?
Expect the application to take around 30-45 minutes. It includes basic information about you and your parents, as well as three short essay questions (250 words or less).
What is the application process?
Once you apply, your application will be reviewed by our Black/Jewish Teen Initiative Steering Committee. You will then be contacted for an interview. Applicants will hear about their acceptance in May.
Will there be transportation support?
Please be in touch if you need support with transportation. Transportation should not be a barrier to participation.
What schools have alumni attended?
Graduates of the BJTI program have attended schools including Brandeis, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Fort Valley State, GW, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Howard, Mercer, Northwestern, SCAD, Spelman, Syracuse, Tulane, Alabama, UC Boulder, UGA, Maryland, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Washington & Lee, Wash U, and Yale, among others.
Do I get school credit or volunteer hours?
Please individually consult with your school on whether this program satisfies your volunteer or credit requirements.
Will the meetings include food?
Yes, meals are included in all sessions. All dietary restrictions, including Kashrut, will be accommodated.
What will the overnight trip entail?
Participants on the trip will travel to Alabama to learn about the Civil Rights Movement, Black/Jewish activism, and Black and Jewish communities in the South. The trip will include museum visits, dialogue, and other programming. The advocacy trip will include meetings on Capitol Hill, visits to important museums/monuments, team exercises, and insightful speakers.
Do I have to be religious to participate?
No, this experience is open to Black and/or Jewish teens of all backgrounds and levels of observance.
