Teens

Teens are a tremendous community asset — their talents, their enthusiasm, their energy. JCC Chicago recognizes the importance of engaging our teens in positive and healthy ways and offers programs designed around their diverse needs and interests. Our teen-focused programs create time to connect, make new friends and hang out, learn leadership and life skills and give back to the community through a variety of activities. Teens from middle school through high school can find their niche and roll with it.

See what we’re up to by checking out our Instagram @jcc.chicagoteens.

Upcoming Events

Celebrate The Festival of Lights

December 18-25
Join in on nightly candle lightings and in-person and virtual events across the Chicagoland area for all! Enjoy ice skating, cookie decorating, dreidel competitions, movies and more! Open to the community; all are welcome!

Learn More

The Revere

Come with your friends after school to play arcade games, hang out with your friends, do homework, and eat FREE food from the area’s best food trucks. The Revere is happening at Bernard Weinger JCC’s Lustbader Center in Northbrook.

Learn More

JSC

These inclusive high school clubs help teens find a deeper connection to Jewish values and their community. By becoming a part of the JSC experience, teens can participate in year-round monthly club experiences: Community opportunities, Community Clubs, General Board, JSC Scholars, JSC-in-a-Box and Schools clubs.

Learn More

Seed613

Seed613 is a social innovation and entrepreneurship program for Female-identifying Jewish teens. The cohort identifies challenges in our community and then creates solutions to make a meaningful difference. Fellows meet 1-2 times per month to work with their mentor and their small group on their impact projects.

Learn More

Maccabi Meet-Ups

There’s something for everyone during the school year, whether you’re an athlete, sports fan or just want to hang out with other Jewish teens!

Learn More

Finding Your Roots

Jewish teens can discover their family’s history by taking a deep dive into genealogy through this new JCC Chicago program.

Learn More

Chi Town Connection

Chi Town Connection (CTC) is a year-round youth group for teens in 8th-11th grade and is connected to JCC Camp Chi, known nationally as one of the leading overnight camps in the country. Teens in CTC participate in social and recreational events, community service activities and leadership opportunities.

Learn More

Level Up Lounge at Club J

The perfect place to hang out with friends on Tuesday nights! 6-8th graders can drop-in for this FREE program at Bernard Horwich JCC

Learn More

All Star Abilities

All Star Abilities is a peer-to-peer fitness program for teens with and without disabilities to strengthen their muscles and their friendships. Whether you join as a volunteer or as a participant – get ready to get fit and have fun!

Learn More

JCC Maccabi Games

3,000 Jewish teen athletes, ages 12-17 and representing communities from across the globe, come together for 1-2 weeks during the summer to experience the magic of JCC Maccabi, the world’s largest Jewish youth sports event.

Learn More

The Outpost Village or Pacific Northwest Travel Experience

Outdoor education and travel at its best from JCC Camp Chi! Hike, camp, cook over an open fire and experience living in nature through these two programs

The Outpost Village

Pacific Northwest Travel Experience

Camp Chi Overnight Camp Camper & Staff Experiences

JCC Camp Chi, known nationally as one of the leading overnight camps in the country, has been a summer home to generations of campers over the past 100 years. At camp in Lake Delton, WI, campers and staff unplug from their daily lives and connect to life-changing moments.

Noar (3, 4, 7 and 8 week sessions)
SIT (Staff In Training)
Junior Counselor

Learn More: Camper Experiences

Learn More: Work at Camp Chi

Apachi Day Camp Camper & Staff Experiences

Friendships, fun, community and enjoying summer is what Apachi is all about! Learn leadership and life skills and/or become part of creating a special day camp experience for children 3 years – 7th grade.