A New Dawn: SPS Teens Cultivate Community at Sunrise 56

by Alexa Taras and Julia Weissman, Sutton Place Synagogue

In a bustling city of millions, where strangers swiftly pass by one another without a second thought, it’s easy to take the connections we have with others for granted. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of community became more evident than ever. For the Sutton Place Synagogue (SPS) Teen Fellowship Board, we found community at Sunrise 56.

We’ve both been part of the SPS family since we were toddlers, growing up surrounded by the warmth and traditions of our Jewish faith. Our journey, however, shifted from receiving to giving when we stepped into leadership roles as madrichim (teen aides) in the synagogue’s educational programs. Working with children ages 5 to 12 at Jackson Religious School, we found joy in teaching and giving back to the community that had given us so much. As madrichim, we have continued to learn and grow, and though our time in this role may be coming to an end, we are determined to leave a meaningful mark on the incredible community that shaped us. This dream took shape over the past year.

In May of 2024, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club NYC honored us with the Tzedek Youth Initiative Ethics, Responsibility, and Justice Award. This recognition celebrated our dedication to promoting social justice and well-being through educational programming. Inspired by this honor, and with the support of the accompanying grant, we launched our philanthropy project, “SPS Inspires,” in September of 2024.

Our goal: to bring Jewish New Yorkers closer together, starting with our own neighbors.

Inspired by the definition of tzedek (justice), we wanted to ensure that before we head off to college and into communities entirely different from our own, we leave our younger peers at SPS with something—or more importantly, someone—to look up to. Just blocks away from SPS, Sunrise 56 senior living facility became the perfect place to form intergenerational connections, fostering a space where we could safely learn, question, and engage with current events together.

Through SPS Inspires, we have facilitated monthly shabbat services, discussions, and presentations on topics ranging from pop culture and politics to technology. Every month we are greeted by friendly faces, and these gatherings have allowed us to build meaningful relationships. One of our favorite memories was being personally invited to a Shabbat dinner by a resident who wanted to share their unique traditions and show us the many ways Shabbat can be celebrated in community households.

As we look ahead, we hope to expand the program by involving younger SPS members so they can continue building these meaningful relationships and carry the torch forward. To further support the education of younger generations, we’ve chosen to direct the remainder of our grant money to the PJ Library, helping to nurture a love for learning and connection in young and inspired minds alike.