Bonim B’Yachad is designed for Jewish teens in grades 8–12, regardless of what school they attend. Participants may come from Jewish day schools, public schools, private schools, homeschools, or hybrid learning environments. Cohorts are formed based on readiness and goals, not school affiliation.

The local Federation or JCC provides the physical space, basic technology setup, and on-site supervision during sessions. The partner also serves as the local point of contact for scheduling and outreach. Bonim B’Yachad handles curriculum, educators, session planning, and overall program leadership.

The staff lift is intentionally light. Beyond providing space and supervision during sessions, staff involvement is limited to coordination and basic communication with families. Bonim B’Yachad supplies curriculum, educators, materials, and program structure, so no new department or heavy staffing is required.

Very customizable. Communities can select focus areas (such as Israel education, antisemitism response, media literacy, or Jewish identity), choose session length and cadence, and adapt scheduling to local needs. Programs can be piloted at a small scale and expanded over time as demand grows.

A typical pilot runs 6–8 weekly sessions, each lasting 60–90 minutes. Programs may be hosted fully on a Federation or JCC campus or offered in a hybrid format with 2–3 on-site sessions. Cohorts generally include 10–15 teens and are taught live by experienced Israeli educators, often joined by prominent guest speakers. Each pilot includes pre- and post-program surveys and a brief outcomes summary.

An adult supervisor must be present in the room for each session to support student engagement and ensure safety. This can be a staff member or vetted volunteer, depending on the community’s policies. Bonim B’Yachad provides clear facilitation prompts and session structure to support the on-site supervisor.

Yes. Many communities choose to fully sponsor the program or subsidize it through local donors, foundations, or education endowment funds. Hybrid models are also common, combining partial subsidy with a modest participant fee to improve accessibility while maintaining commitment. When helpful, Bonim B’Yachad can also assist in identifying potential donor foundations.

Absolutely. Bonim B’Yachad is intentionally designed as a communal program that brings together teens from different educational backgrounds. Instruction is pluralistic, skills-based, and age-appropriate, creating a shared learning environment that welcomes diverse experiences while strengthening Jewish identity and confidence.