Published in the Washington Jewish Week June 10, 2011.

The Partnership for Life and Learning has developed a new approach to sharing proven teaching techniques with the community. Building on the success of its Jewish Youth Philanthropy Program (JYPI) in connecting young people to the Jewish community through real-life philanthropic experiences, the Partnership is providing content and expertise to local congregations to help them create their own Jewish youth philanthropy groups.

Called the Collaborative Model of Philanthropy Education, the Partnership brought together four congregations in Northern Virginia, earlier this year, providing training, curricular components and grant funds to get them on the path to sponsoring and running their own programs. The Partnership believes this collaborative approach to expansion is a way to strengthen the base of the organized Jewish community.

"I have always envisioned how this program could work and to see it in action was a highlight of my participation in Jewish education," said Barry Smith, Beth El Hebrew Congregation's education director, after attending a training session where a nonprofit organization presented to the Collaborative Teen Philanthropy Group. "The kids were so engaged. It feels so good to work with a great team of Jewish educators and leaders."

Youth philanthropy groups, according to the Partnership, can be used as an elective option in congregational schools, as a tool to re-engage teens who are currently inactive in the congregation or as a learning opportunity for teens seeking new experiences.

"For congregations, this collaborative model is a win-win," says Rebecca Weisman of the Partnership. "The benefits include offering an innovative program directly to members of their community, connecting this experience with their congregation's values and seamlessly integrating this program into the array of educational offerings."

This type of philanthropy education allows learners to be actively engaged in tikkun olam (repairing the world) and has been shown, according to the Partnership, to make a profound impression on the lives of the young people who participate.

"What makes this program so effective is the conscious effort to infuse elements of both Jewish learning and Jewish values formation into each step of the program," said James Hyman, Partnership CEO. "It is not just about giving and helping, as important as these might be. It is a program designed to inspire young Jews to become part of a Jewish community at its best."