Services and Programs

Gesher LeKesher:
Building Jewish Leadership

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its reason for existing.  One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. “
  - Albert Einstein, (1879-1955)

Gesher LeKesher (“Bridge to a Connection”) is a national teen mentoring and leadership program implemented in synagogues for Jewish teens. The model for the Gesher LeKesher Princeton Mercer Bucks program was developed in 2000 by the Princeton Center for Leadership Training.

Local high school juniors and seniors from many local synagogues actively participate in the building of a strong Jewish community by working with younger students once-a-month in mentoring groups. Personalized attention from older peers, along with interactive Jewish learning activities and meaningful discussions, helps younger students define their beliefs, roles and attitudes and gives them the opportunity to express their own opinions. Concurrently, older students develop valuable leadership skills, including how to present issues, lead group activities, facilitate group discussions, and serve as role models.

Together, the teens strengthen their connections with their heritage, with their Judaism, and with other youth. The program encourages the creation of vibrant communities where mitzvot, rituals, values and Jewish culture are experienced, respected and integrated into the lives of young people. Each year, on average 35-40 Madrichim (peer leaders) work with 100-150 Talmidim (learners/students).

To apply to be a peer leader or to involve your congregation in the Gesher LeKesher program, contact Celeste Albert (call 609-987-8100 or e-mail at celestea@jfcsonline.org).

Hear from Gesher LeKesher Alumni about what they are doing
and how the Gesher LeKesher program influenced their current involvement in the Jewish community.

Michael Alter Gesher LeKesher Class of 2008

Hi my name is Michael Alter and I am studying at Rutgers University-New Brunswick majoring in Political Science and Economics.

I am one of the founding members of a student-run group at Rutgers called “Scarlet, Blue and White.” We are a pro-Israel group that tries to educate the students and faculty at Rutgers about the importance of a strong U.S.-Israeli alliance. Additionally, I attend Hillel weekly for services and various events.

I am currently the USY advisor for Beth El Synagogue and this is my second year in this position. I am in charge of coordinating with the USYers creative events that incorporate a blend of Judaism and friendship building.

Gesher LeKesher allowed me to mature as a leader in my community. I learned valuable skills as a Madrich like how to speak comfortably in public and how to get across a point in a clear and concise way. Overall, I was able to become comfortable in a leadership role and it has helped me get to where I am today.

I am a junior at Rutgers University and I am the treasurer of the Club Baseball team. I am considering going to law school or business school after my undergraduate career, but I have not decided which one I like better.

My message to current Madrichim is to take advantage of your time in Gesher LeKesher because it truly is a great experience. You learn countless skills and life lessons that will be helpful to you as you go through the last couple of years in high school and enter college.

Whenever I am in a setting where I have to speak amongst my peers, I have Gesher LeKesher to thank for my skills. All of the practice and hard work done in the Gesher LeKesher program has truly paid off for me.

Jonathan Davis Gesher LeKesher Class of 2007

My name is Jonathan Davis and I am currently attending William Paterson University majoring in English and Psychology and Early Childhood Education-P-3, K-5 Certification. I am a member of Beth El Synagogue. I have been involved in the Jewish community at my synagogue ever since I had my Bar Mitzvah and graduated from the Hebrew school in 2002.

After graduation I worked as an aide in the religious school while attending the synagogues Hebrew High School program. I also attended Young Judaea's senior Zionist camp Tel Yehudah, acted as president of the Princeton Chapter of young Judaea, participated in confirmation classes with Rabbi Jay Kornsgold and then became a madrich in the Gesher program, all while still remaining an aide in the religious school at Beth El all throughout high school. Upon graduating from Gesher and from high school, I moved up from being an aide in the religious school at Beth El to becoming one of the youngest teachers ever hired at Beth El. I have been teaching 3rd and 4th grade Jewish Studies for four years.

I have been the president of the short lived Princeton YJ chapter, I am the president of Beth El's Library Committee, and I am the advisor for the Princeton area chapter of BBYO.

I had always known that I wanted to be an educator, but Gesher LeKesher allowed me ability to gain experience in a field that had not thought of exploring further prior to joining the Peer Leadership program; Jewish Education. I truly believe that my participation and knowledge and confidence that I gained by participating in the Gesher program allowed me to become the Jewish educator that I am today.

Gesher helped shape and define who I have become today, it may not seem like it now, but the people and programming that takes place in Gesher is powerful. Something that you will treasure for the rest of your lives.

I currently volunteer my time working in both the Beth El Library, and directing the annual Purim Play at the Synagogue. I am also an advisor for the central region of BBYO and currently helping establish the Princeton Area chapter of BBYO. On the side I work as both a childcare provider and bus driver.

Because of my contributions to the Jewish Community I will receive recognition from the Jewish Educators Assembly as part of their yearly 20 20 honoree program this coming January.

Daniel Devery Gesher LeKesher Class of 2007

My name is Daniel Devery and I am studying at the University of South Carolina. With a double major in History, Concentration: Military History and Anthropology, Concentration in Middle Eastern Cultures and a minor in Arabic.

As a graduate of West Windsor- Plainsboro High School north, I attended Religious school at the Jewish Center from Pre-K through my sophomore year in high school. My junior and senior years in high school I was a Gesher LeKesher Madrich.

My summers in college have been spent working on archaeological excavations at Tel Megiddo and Tel Kabri in Israel.

The training I received in leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and stress control was easily transferable to the world of archaeology.

The tools I learned in Gesher allowed me to calmly and effectively supervise and motivate workers, a sometimes difficult task when people are hot, dirty, exhausted, and tired of eating humus.

This summer I will continue to work in Israel at several archaeological sites.

Hannah Heller Gesher LeKesher Class of 2005

My name is Hannah Heller and I graduated last year from Wellesley College, with a double major in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology and Jewish Studies. I went to Solomon Schechter Day School in East Brunswick through 8th grade, but would say that my true involvement with my local Jewish community began when I got involved with USY through the Beth El East Windsor chapter. I joined originally to keep in touch with my Schechter friends, but USY quickly became not only a social outlet but a religious and educational one as well. Being nearly entirely youth led, it was easy for us to feel empowered. Actually, it may have been the first time I took on a leadership position, of any kind. By senior year, I was chapter president, and editor of the regional newsletter. And it was through Beth El that I got to know about Gesher LeKesher.

As a Madricha I began to look at Jewish issues through the lens of how they might be taught. How can we make the issues relevant and appropriate for middle schoolers, keep their interest, and then-- hardest of all-- create a safe environment to encourage them to share their opinions and questions. I think the last aspect, creating a safe space, has been the most lasting lesson for me. As an RA, and then House President at Wellesley, we were all about "safe spaces". We even had stickers delineating rooms and buildings that could be considered "safe". But feeling safe takes more than a sticker, and I worked hard to create living communities that students could consider home.

Jewishly, Gesher reinforced my long-held belief that when in doubt, go to Israel; after graduation I spent five months in Israel working with a non-profit based in Tel Aviv called Omanoot: Israel Through Art. I wrote content and managed the office for their soon-to-be launched website (omanoot.org), a portal to all you'll need to know about the Israeli art scene. Through the website you'll also be able to access free education plans that incorporate Israeli art, as well as "art trips" you can take in Israel that focus on artistically relevant sites. It's a hugely impressive project and I'm so proud to have been a part of it (end plug!).

Now I'm back in Boston, about to start a graduate program at Tufts in Museum Education. I also have a job teaching 6th grade at a Hebrew school in my neighborhood. It turns out Gesher, and subsequently Israel, were the perfect catalysts to begin a career in art education.

If I could give the madrichim any advice I would tell them that kids are crazy impressionable. I feel like as an adult I'm still too impressionable for my own good, so one can imagine how a 6th grader might interpret your jokes, your facial expressions, your word choices. When the going gets rough, consider Gesher an opportunity to shape some minds, inspire. Use your influence for good and that focus will make every lesson that much more enjoyable.

Deena Mitlak Gesher LeKesher Class of 2008

I am a junior at Barnard College majoring in Economics and Mathematics. I grew up in a Conservative household. I have visited Israel with my family and went on Birthright in the winter of 2010. I serve on the Hillel Community Meals Task Force of Columbia/Barnard’s Hillel, where I help plan and host free Shabbat meals, onegs, and other activities for the Jewish community on campus.

I have also served as an orientation leader for Jewish Life Orientation of Columbia/Barnard. In this role, I helped welcome new students to the Jewish community on campus.

My experience as a Madricha for Gesher LeKesher taught me important peer leadership skills including public speaking. My experience encouraged me to pursue peer leadership in Jewish settings in college because I appreciated the warmth and friendship within the community.

I would advise current Gesher LeKesher Madrichim to enjoy this great opportunity to spend time with your peers and to become better leaders.

This semester, I am studying abroad in Paris.