Wilmette Teens Taking a Stand On Israel

Israel might be the size of New Jersey, but it attracts a disproportionate amount of media attention. Scrolling through Instagram, it’s hard to ignore some of the anti-Israel sentiments. Is Israel really an oppressive apartheid state? Do they overreact to terrorist attacks with indiscriminate violence?

The simple truth is that facts fight misinformation. “We want our teens to feel confident about our Jewish homeland,” says Rabbi Moshe Teldon, of Chabad in Wilmette. “But that knowledge doesn’t start with current events; it starts by going back thousands of years.”

A new CTeenU course launching in the fall semester will address some of these hot-button issues head-on. The 21-week course covers everything from the origins of Jewish claims to the land, to the ups and downs of the peace process, and the ethics of the IDF. At the conclusion of the course, each participating teen receives 3 elective college credits.

It is the product of a collaboration between Yeshiva University and the Chabad teen network, CTeen International. CTeen is the world’s fastest-growing network of Jewish teens, with over 630 chapters in 37 countries on 6 continents. Yeshiva University, the world’s premier Jewish institution for higher education, is home to a network of undergraduate and graduate programs.

“Yeshiva University and CTeen have carefully curated courses that will appeal to Jewish high school students from any background,” says Josh Ginsburg. “No previous Judaic knowledge is required.”

CTeenU’s relevant and engaging curriculum on the tenets of Judaism cultivates a strong sense of purpose and Jewish identity. The curriculum is designed to encourage teens to ask questions and apply Jewish thought to their everyday activities. The small group settings will make it possible for the instructor to get to know each student and for the students to bond with each other as they study.

“I found myself always looking forward to my CTeenU classes,” said Noah Shannon, a graduating senior from New Trier who has taken 3 CTeenU courses. “It’s that rare time when I can sit with friends and discuss things that really matter to me as a Jewish teen.”

Yeshiva University credits are accepted at many colleges around the country, including highly selective schools, state colleges, liberal arts colleges, public flagships, specialized programs, and many more.

“I know how busy teens are preparing for college—this is an opportunity for them to advance their resume and college career while studying our culture’s timeless wisdom,” says Teldon.

The course is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and classes will meet in person at Chabad starting in Fall 2022.

To find out more visit CTeenU.com.