Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC) is now accepting applications from rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors for the 2024-2025 Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) cohort, beginning in the fall of 2024.
During the 2024-2025 school year, Kansas City’s LFT students will meet monthly on Sundays for interactive, student-centered sessions to learn about and unpack the most pressing issues affecting today’s Jewish teens. The LFT program works to educate young Jewish students to become informed, prepared and effective advocates for themselves, the Jewish community and Israel. It aims to instill in teens the knowledge, confidence and passion to serve as positive changemakers among their peers, in their communities and beyond.
In the upcoming cohort, students will discuss a variety of topics, including understanding and combating antisemitism in a post-Oct. 7 world; studying the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; identifying challenges and opportunities facing global Jewry; and learning strategic advocacy and coalition building skills.
“[LFT] helped foster new knowledge of antisemitism in the world and how I can advocate in my daily life,” said Drew Liss, a graduate of the 2023-24 LFT cohort. “As a teen, it can be daunting to stand up for Israel and advocate against antisemitism, but LFT has given me the tools to be confident in my skin as a Jew and be able to advocate against antisemitism and advocate for myself. I have made new friends and get to hear about life as a Jewish student in other schools and how they stand up to hate. I was able to go to the LFT summit in [Washington,] D.C., and it showed me a different career path and showed how impactful my voice can be.”
Over the past five years, nearly 100 Kansas City students have participated in the LFT program, helping them develop a strong Jewish identity and training them as advocates for Israel and voices against antisemitism.
“The LFT program has taught me not only how to advocate for Israel, but also for myself,” LFT graduate Ezra Jacobs said. “Our trip to Washington, D.C., was an unforgettable experience which heightened my world view and completely changed my perspective of who I am and what I can do with my life. This program is a very well-run program and hopefully will inspire many more.”
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but JCRB|AJC urges interested students to apply quickly before the cohort becomes full. Participants will be selected based on their application and a phone interview. There is no cost to participate.
