Civic Spirit – To support the national expansion of a multi-faith cross-school partnership program that fosters dialogue and collaboration on civic issues among Jewish high schoolers and students from other faith-based schools.

What impact do you hope to see as a result of your program?

Through Building Civic Bridges, we hope to help young people and educators build the skills and relationships needed to connect across differences in a divided time. Educators will gain practical tools to lead thoughtful dialogue and collaboration, while students will have meaningful opportunities to learn alongside peers from different faith and cultural backgrounds. Our goal is to help students practice listening, working together, and engaging constructively with others, which are habits that are essential for a healthy democratic society.

Will there be a way for students to stay connected?

Sustained connection is a core goal of Building Civic Bridges. Because partnerships are embedded within schools rather than structured as one-time events, students will engage in multiple sessions throughout the year, allowing relationships to develop over time. Students can also remain connected through other Civic Spirit initiatives, such as Civic Spirit Clubs, which provide ongoing spaces for collaboration and dialogue. Our broader aim is for partnerships between schools to continue to develop after the grant period, becoming part of each school’s culture.

Is there a particular religious text you’re excited to introduce?

One text I’m excited to incorporate in the program is the Mishna from Pirkei Avot (5:17) about Makhloket LeShem Shamayim, “disagreement for the sake of heaven.” At a time when many young people experience disagreement as conflict to avoid, this idea offers a powerful alternative: the idea that constructive conflict can strengthen community. It provides students with a values-based framework for civic dialogue that feels both deeply Jewish and broadly relevant.