For teens in Baltimore, there’s endless opportunities to get involved and 4Front wants to help!
We’re here to connect you to fun, interesting, and interactive opportunities that allow you explore new interests and learn new things.
Check out our list of upcoming programs and events for teens, curated by 4Front and our local and national partners!
Upcoming Programs & Events
4Front & BHC Hanukkah Mitzvah Project and Party
Wednesday, December 16 | Grades 6-8: 4:00-5:00pm | Grades 9-12: 5:00-6:00pm | Owings Mills JCC- Outside 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave Owings Mills, MD 21117
Join 4Front and Baltimore Hebrew Congregation for a festive Hanukkah mitzvah project and party to celebrate the season of giving! Teens will gather together outside to enjoy some yummy Hanukkah treats, hang out with new and old friends, and participate in a hands-on service project.
To prevent against the spread of COVID-19 during in-person activities, social distancing and masks will be required at all times. Space is limited for each time slot, so RSVP is required.
Teen Service Council Pop-Up: Factuality, the Game
Sunday, January 17 | 1:00-3:00pm | Virtual
In partnership with JVC’s MLK Day of Service, our winter Teen Service Council pop-up will give teens the opportunity to experience a truly unique and enlightening service-learning activity by participating in the Factuality, The Game– a crash course on structural inequality in America. Thanks to our partners, this is a free program for Jewish teens grades 9-12.
StandWithUs International Conference: Israel in Focus
January 30 & 31, 2021 | Virtual
Israel in Focus embodies the mission of StandWithUs: educating people of all ages and backgrounds around the world about Israel, and fighting antisemitism. This conference will look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that student leaders face in high school and will focus on how they can build UNITY, COMMUNITY, and RESILIENCE in the face of adversity. The students will get to network with other high school leaders, learn about life on campus from college leaders and activists, and network with both community leaders and experts in the field.
Space at this conference is incredibly limited, so if your students are interested in attending, apply right away as the application will close on December 4, 2020. Please note: acceptance to attend the conference is not automatic and the applicants will be contacted for an interview to determine candidacy to attend by a StandWithUs High School Regional Coordinator.
Miamonides Moot Court Competition
March 4-7, 2021 | Baltimore, MD
The Maimonides Moot Court High School Competition occurs over a thrilling weekend. Beginning with an inspirational shabbaton and culminating in a fast-paced competition, the experience brings an international cohort of students together into a shared conversation rooted in the intensive study of Jewish ethics. Application now open.
Past Programs
Experience Ethiopian Jewish Culture with Haim, an Ethiopian-Israeli teenager
Sunday, November 15, 2020 | 1:00pm | ZOOM
Hosted by: The Macks Center for Jewish Education
The Macks Center for Jewish Education invites you to learn, engage, and experience the Ethiopian Jewish Culture through the eyes of Haim, an Israeli teenager of Ethiopian descent. Hosted by the Baltimore Shinshinim, Israeli high school graduates who volunteer as informal educators in our community and schools, Haim will share his family story and traditions. A special Ethiopian gift will be delivered to those who registered by November 9th and live in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
We welcome participants of all abilities. If you need any special accommodations, please contact shaikafox@cjebaltimore.org.
Social Innovation Hackathon
Sunday, October 25, 2020 | 1-5pm | Virtual | 4Front Signature Program
Join like-minded Jewish teens from around the country for this one-day event to learn how to become a young social changemaker and use innovative thinking to turn problems into opportunities.
Facilitated by entrepreneur and VC investor Henrik Scheel of Startup Experience, teens will go through the entire entrepreneurial process to create innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing issues. Develop your entrepreneurial mindset, boost your creative capacity, and work with teens from around the country, while learning how to use business to make a positive impact in our world!
URJ: High Holidays Opportunities for Reform Jewish Teens
Sept 9-29, 2020 | Virtual | Hosted by: Union for Reform Judaism
Join Reform Jewish teens for a meaningful, month-long High Holidays experience! Through fun and engaging virtual programming, we will focus on the core theme of betterment – of yourself, your community, and the world.
We will begin Rosh HaShanah with the intention of becoming the best version of ourselves, and will have a mindful and meditative Tashlich experience as well as the opportunity to find compassion for ourselves as we strive to do better. Next, we hope to see you as we work to better our communities through connection with older generations. To culminate our High Holidays offerings, we will lead directly into bettering the world through civic engagement, and we will join together as a community for a dessert breakfast. Throughout, there will be smaller supplemental experiences that you can take part in on your own time from the comfort of your own home.
Elul Speaker Series: Adina Lichtman, “Give tzedakah for a cause you support”
Thursday, Sept 24, 2020 | 8:00pm | Zoom | Hosted by: BBYO
Join the founder of Knock Knock Give a Sock Adina Lichtman, as she helps us understand the importance of giving– no matter what the amount and how we all have the power to make a difference!
Tashlich with 4Front Baltimore
Sunday, Sept 20, 2020 | 2:00pm | Red Run Stream Valley Trail
Join 4Front on Rosh Hashanah for a beautiful, short hike and environmentally friendly Tashlich to get a fresh start in 5781. In Hebrew, tashlich means to “cast off.” In this short High Holiday ceremony, we will symbolically throw away those moments when we weren’t our best selves over the past year in order to let go and reset for the new one ahead.
Meet us in the parking lot of the Red Run Stream Valley Trail in Owings Mills off of Dolfield Blvd (9500 Dolfield Road Owings Mills, MD 21117). We will practice social distancing and ask you to please wear your mask. RSVP is required.
Elul Speaker Series: Billy Planer, “Find a petition and sign it”
Wednesday, Sept 16, 2020 | 8:00pm | Zoom | Hosted by: BBYO
Join Billy Planer of Etgar 36 as he helps us reflect racial justice, getting comfortable with uncomfortable conversations, and our Elul prompt of the day: Find a petition and sign it
Billy Planer has worked with Jewish experiential education for 35 years. Challenged by a friend, Billy interviewed people while on a road trip around America. Half way through, he realized he should be bringing teens to these historical spots and meet with people who are involved in changing the world. Etgar 36 is a summer journey that takes Jewish teens on a bus across America to learn history, politics and activism and find their voice and power by meeting with all sides of political issues, understand the unique culture of each city, become empowered to get involved to create change and develop their American and Jewish identities. https://www.etgar.org/
4Front Summer Hangouts
Weekly, July & August | Owings Mills JCC, Outside | Hosted by: 4Front Baltimore
Bored at home with nothing to do? Join 4Front for weekly outdoor hangouts this July and August to get together safely with other teens & have some summer fun! We’re hosting fun evening events like teen-only pool parties, outdoor movies, and evening hikes. All hangouts will take place outside at the Owings Mills JCC campus and safety is our top priority! We hope you’ll join us and can’t wait to see you again! Space is limited for each hangout, so RSVP is required. Sign up for one or all!
All events will be held outside and are weather permitting. COVID-19 safety precautions like social distancing, wearing masks while interacting with others, and temperature checks prior to entry will be required.
Jewish Agency for Israel: Global TeenFest 2Gether
Sunday, August 23, 2020 | Virtual
The Jewish Agency’s Partnership Unit invites you to join the first Virtual International Festival for Jewish Teens: Facing Corona 2Gether!
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives and the way we do things. Among other issues, most summer programs have been cancelled, our youth have spent many months in lockdown, and there are fewer opportunities for Jewish teens from all over the world to connect with each other. The Jewish Agency’s Partnership Unit invites the teens in your community to a creative, accessible platform for meeting other Jewish teens from Israel and around the globe, strengthening their Jewish ties and having fun in an international event for thousands of young people: a virtual international Jewish youth festival. For teens ages 14-19 from around the world.
4Front Virtual Info Session
Monday, August 17, 2020 | 7:00-8:00pm | ZOOM | Hosted by: 4Front Baltimore
Join us on Zoom for a virtual info session to learn about 4Front’s 2020-2021 Signature Programs. We’ll be sharing about our new program format redesign, calendar, and seasonal recruitment. Come with your questions! This session will be recorded for those who can’t attend.
Missed out info session: Watch the recording here!
Virtual Youth Leadership Summit on Education Equity
July 20-22, 2020 | Hosted by: National Youth Leadership Council
Our current education systems increase disparities for students of color from the school to prison pipeline and unsafe school climates to whitewashed curriculum and policies. Lack of trauma-informed mental health support, cultural competency, and anti-racist practices create unjust school climates. All of this and more lends itself to education equity remaining one of the greatest issues of our time.
This student-led event will bring together youth to develop their skills for community action through a series of trainings that explore personal identity rooted in social and emotional learning. The three-day event will provide sessions on the explorations of personal leadership styles and cultural backgrounds, youth/adult partnerships, and action-planning for assessments leading to addressing community needs. Registration is FREE.