The panel educates younger members of our Jewish community about the philanthropic process and responding to Jewish and general community needs. The panel consists of 40 area high school juniors and seniors who are selected through rabbi, religious school director, youth group advisor nominations and at-large applications.

Each year, a new Saltzman Youth Panel makes decisions about allocating fund to worthy organizations – 85% of which is awarded to programs serving the Jewish community. Through this process the participants learn about community decision-making, leadership and most importantly, tzedakah.

Among the grants were $7,500 for Hebrew Shelter Home for kosher meals for the homeless and victims of domestic violence; $5,000 for health training for Ethiopian teenage girls in Israel, a program run by the Jewish Agency for Israel (and supported by the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs); and $4,615 to the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance of Northeast Ohio to prevent teen suicide.

Qualifications:
Applicants must be in the 11th or 12th grade

Expectations:
Selection to the Saltzman Youth Panel is highly competitive, and participation, while very rewarding, can be demanding. Panelists are required to attend all scheduled sessions (seven Sunday meetings, plus Super Sunday, and a presentation to the Jewish Federation Board of Trustees in the spring) as well as conduct outside research and agency site visits. While reasonable efforts are made to avoid schedule conflicts, they may, on occasion, occur. Members of the Saltzman Youth Panel are expected to make their participation on the panel a priority, both for their own experience and for that of fellow panelists.

For more information download FAQ's.

Questions? Contact Ann Garson at the Federation: 216.593.2814 or agarson@jcfcleve.org.