Project ROPE

Project ROPE is an elite program that adapts and expands Jewish youth philanthropy to the capacities of the day school setting. ROPE gives to a new generation of young American Jews the skills, tools, Jewish lens and experience to become lifelong learners, doers and givers. There are four core goals of Project ROPE: to teach teens the Jewish roots, values and imperatives of philanthropic giving; to enable them to learn about pressing social needs in depth and to learn about the different organizations that address those needs; to give them a 360-degree understanding of nonprofits and effective philanthropic methods; and to provide them with the hands-on learning experience of running a fundraising campaign for a cause of their choice and responsibly making collaborative decisions on where to place their grants.

As a direct result of Project ROPE, participating students will:

  • Understand how and why Jewish tradition has mandated philanthropic giving for thousands of years and what the implications are for us today
  • Develop a basic knowledge of, and a desire to engage in, effective methods of philanthropy
  • Experience the job of working collaboratively with fellow Jewish teens to identify and support causes of their choice

Throughout the year, students study social issues and discover nonprofit groups that address them in a variety of ways. They learn how nonprofits function from numerous angles, through site visits, interviews with clients and staff, and examination of organizations’  annual reports and balance sheets. Students from all the schools convene through monthly phone or video conferences, sharing ideas for the program and learning about philanthropy from top professionals in the field. By the end of the program they are able to make philanthropic decisions informed by the head and the heart, guided by Jewish values and taking account of needs both in their local communities and in Israel.

Each year Project ROPE has a different theme that serves as the focus of the activities and resources. The theme for Project ROPE 5770 / 2009-2010 is Disadvantaged Youth.

Project Rope is open to students in grades 9 to 11. This year we are delighted to welcome five schools into the program:

  • Donna Klein Jewish Academy (Boca Raton, Florida)
  • Gray Academy (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
  • Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School (North Miami Beach, Florida)
  • San Diego Jewish Academy (San Diego, California)
  • Shoshana S. Cardin School (Baltimore, Maryland)

Project ROPE is the recipient of a grant from the Jewish Teen Funders Network.

To learn more about Project ROPE, or to enroll your school in next year’s program, contact Dr. Elliott Rabin at erabin@ravsak.org.

Mitch Flatow
I can’t imagine Jewish day school education without RAVSAK.”
Mitch Flatow, Principal, General Studies
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School

[Full-time] JUDAIC STUDIES TEACHER FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES at JCDS, Boston's Jewish Community Day School

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Members of RAVSAK enjoy many benefits which support the overall work of the school and the professionals who lead them. Find out more about membership benefits and how your school can become a member.

Use our interactive map of member schools to find a Jewish Day School near you.

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