With antisemitism proliferating throughout North American schools, hundreds of Jewish teens are putting their Jewish pride front-and-center, utilizing peer-to-peer interactions to reverse a concerning trend.

 

That work was on full display at Jewish Federation of North America’s fifth annual Student to Student (STS) coordinators’ conference, held in St. Louis, Missouri, this past June. 

 

Coordinators gathered amid a year of immense growth in the STS program; of 30 Student to Student communities reporting, 714 Jewish teen participants gave 687 presentations in 216 schools, reaching over 28,500 high school students during the 2025-26 school year. The program is poised for further expansion this coming school year, with another 9 communities already signed on–representing 18% growth–and more in the pipeline.

 

“I am continually inspired by our colleagues across the U.S. and Canada, whose outstanding work empowers our young people to share their Jewish stories with pride and confidence—especially at a time when those voices are needed most,” said Fawn Chapel, Program Director of Student to Student. “In difficult moments, the impact of Student to Student’s model of direct engagement and community building is felt even more strongly.”

 

Student to Student was created in 1992 by the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, and had just six participants at its inception. The program grew steadily for 25 years and began to expand to other communities in 2018. In 2024, Student to Student became part of the Jewish Federations umbrella and has since enjoyed substantial growth, expanding its reach to 49 communities. 

 

As Student to Student ambassadors, Jewish teens across North America are trained to give presentations to students in high schools that have no Jewish presence. Post-presentation surveys of classroom students and teachers confirm the significant impact of the program on their perceptions of Jewish people. The peer-to-peer program has created thousands of young Jewish leaders who are proud of their Judaism, and share that pride with their non-Jewish peers.

 

“Student to Student is profoundly meaningful not only for the students we present to, but also for our presenters,” said Rachel Beerman, a former Student to Student coordinator in Buffalo, New York. “When asked to reflect on the program, our participants are keenly aware of its positive impact on themselves and their community. Also, at every school we present we receive questions that indicate how closely our presentations are listened to and how much our answers impact how students think about Jewish history, culture and people.”

 

Jewish high schoolers face an increasingly hostile environment, and STS coordinators work tirelessly to ensure that student presenters have the tools and support they need to be effective ambassadors for the Jewish community. At the June conference, coordinators from 26 communities across North America set the agenda for the coming school year, sharing best practices, learning from other communities, and keeping the focus on what matters most: supporting Jewish teens.

 

Veteran coordinators played a key role in leading workshops, sharing the core elements of running a successful Student to Student program. Throughout the conference, they discussed how to navigate the increasingly complex high school landscape and how to help teens deliver effective presentations. Participants also heard from keynote speaker Sarah Hurwitz, who shared her personal Jewish journey, discussed her research on campus antisemitism, and explored ways to empower Jewish young people in today’s environment.

 

Student to Student’s growth comes at a critical moment. Many Jewish teens are navigating a sharp rise in antisemitism and often feel misunderstood or singled out. The STS program offers something powerful: the confidence to speak up, the pride to share their Jewish identity, and the opportunity to replace stereotypes with real human connection. By telling their own stories, participants not only educate their peers -  they realize the strength of their own voices and become leaders for their communities.

 

If you would like to learn more about Student to Student or bring it to your community, email STS staff Fawn Chapel or Dalilah Conen.