YouthFirst
JFCS’ YouthFirst Department helps teens develop the necessary life skills to move into young adulthood smoothly, successfully, and responsibly through a Jewish values-based lens. Our innovative programs include Jewish service-learning, leadership skills development, peer mental health training, internships, and career exploration!
In each of our four regions—Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Palo Alto—we provide teens with a cohort of peers to learn and grow together.
Join Our Upcoming Bay Area Summit on Antisemitism
With Programming for Teens and Parents
For Teens—Bay Area Teen Summit: Resisting Antisemitism
Sunday, February 1, 2026
1:00 – 5:00pm | North Peninsula
Empower yourself with tools, important facts, and personal rights to know as a student, while connecting with other teens and reminding yourself of the incredibly vibrant and strong Jewish teen community to which you belong. Location will be shared upon registration. REGISTER HERE >
For Parents—How to Interrupt Antisemitism without Losing Allies
Sunday, February 1, 2026
1:00 – 3:00pm | North Peninsula
(held at the same location as the Bay Area Teen Summit)
In this workshop for parents of teens, Ron Glait, Director of Community Education at the JFCS Holocaust Center, will provide an educational framework for understanding contemporary antisemitism and how it operates today. Drawing on current research and using the 4D Test, Ron will help parents recognize antisemitic patterns, distinguish criticism from hate, and support their teens with informed, thoughtful responses. REGISTER HERE >
Upcoming Special Program
2026 Manovill Seminar:
Cultivating the next generation of upstanders
Now Accepting Applications—Limited Spots Available
Online and In-Person Meetings from February 15 to April 20, 2026
The Manovill Seminar provides high school students with a unique opportunity to examine the patterns of genocide through the lens of the Holocaust and the Cambodian genocide, explore Jewish peoplehood, and analyze both historical and contemporary forms of antisemitism. LEARN MORE AND APPLY >
Join us at one of our upcoming volunteer events!
Impact Year Fellowship Program: Being an Impact Year Fellow is a great way to better understand our community’s needs while building new leadership skills. With the support of the YouthFirst staff, fellows collaboratively create and execute service and advocacy projects for their local communities.
Middle School Mitzvah Corps: Rooted in the three pillars of Judaism—Torah (learning), Avodah (service), and G’milut Chasedim (acts of loving kindness)—this immersive six-week experience empowers middle schoolers to discover their authentic Jewish voice while helping others in our community.
Peer Mental Health Advocates: Our Peer Mental Health Advocates are teens in our own community who play a unique role at Jewish Family and Children’s Services in promoting the importance of maintaining mental health, building a culture of support and care, and advocating for change in our legislation.
Shmunis Internship Program: JFCS offers six-week paid summer internships to qualified students entering grade 10, 11, and 12 in the fall. Our internship program is a great opportunity to learn valuable on-the-job skills, gain paid work experience and meet other Bay Area teens.
