BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.7//EN TZID:America/New_York X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VEVENT UID:900@areyvut.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261018T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261018T140000 DTSTAMP:20261007T145937Z URL:https://areyvut.org/events/mitzvah-clowning-fall-2026-program-launch/ SUMMARY:Mitzvah Clowning Fall 2026 Program Launch DESCRIPTION:Mitzvah Clowning\nThe Center for Jewish Teen Engagement at Jewi sh Federation of Northern New Jersey\, is a new regional hub designed to h elp Jewish teens in Northern New Jersey connect\, grow and lead. The Cente r's teen programming in an effort to expand access to meaningful Jewish ex periences\, develop local leadership and innovate new opportunities in the region. Events powered by the CTE are open to all local teens and Areyvut is deeply honored to partner with this unique collaboration and to play a role in this inaugural year.\nBring Joy. Make Connections. Make a Differe nce.\nA smile has the power to brighten someone's day\, ease loneliness an d create meaningful human connection.\nAreyvut's Mitzvah Clowning program trains participants to become Caring (Medical) Clowns who use humor\, warm th\, compassion and positive energy to bring joy to others. This is not a performance. Rather\, participants learn how to connect with people in a g enuine\, respectful and meaningful way through conversation\, active liste ning\, age-appropriate humor and engaging activities.\nWhether visiting se niors\, individuals receiving care or others who can benefit from companio nship\, Mitzvah Clowns remind people that they are valued\, remembered and not alone.\n\nWhat is Mitzvah Clowning?\nMitzvah Clowning combines creati vity\, kindness and service. Participants learn practical skills that enab le them to interact confidently and compassionately with others while deve loping leadership\, empathy and communication skills that will benefit the m throughout their lives.\nThrough hands-on training and meaningful site v isits\, teens discover that sometimes the greatest gift they can offer is simply their presence.\nParticipants frequently tell us that they receive just as much from the experience as those they visit.\n\nWhat Will Partici pants Learn?\nDuring the initial training participants will:\n\n\n Learn the fundamentals of Mitzvah Clowning.\n Develop effective communication a nd active listening skills.\n Learn how to engage people of different age s and abilities.\n Explore how humor can be used appropriately to comfort and encourage others.\n Build confidence interacting with strangers.\n Understand expectations and best practices for site visits.\n Prepare to participate in meaningful volunteer experiences.\n\nNo previous experience is necessary.\n\nProgram Schedule\nInitial Training\nSunday\, October 18\ , 10:00 AM–2:00 PM\nParticipants will receive hands-on training and prep are for the site visits.\n\nSite Visits\, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM\nSunday\, No vember 1Sunday\, November 22Sunday\, December 13\nDuring these visits\, pa rticipants will put what they learned into practice by bringing smiles\, w armth and meaningful connections to members of our commUNITY.\n\nWho Can P articipate?\nThe program is open to all high school students.\nWhether you have extensive volunteer experience or are looking for a meaningful way t o give back for the first time\, Mitzvah Clowning is an opportunity to mak e a genuine difference while developing skills that will serve you through out your life.\n\nWhy Participate?\nParticipants will:\n\n\n Make a meani ngful difference in the lives of others.\n Build lasting friendships with fellow participants.\n Develop leadership and interpersonal skills.\n G ain meaningfully volunteer experience while having fun.\n Increase confid ence.\n Learn the importance of empathy\, kindness and human connection.\ n Become part of a growing network of teens proactively committed to stre ngthening their communities through acts of chesed.\n\nProgram Fee\n$125 p er participant\n\nAdditional Information\n\n No previous experience is ne cessary.\n Locations throughout Bergen County will be shared with registe red participants.\n Dates are subject to change.\n Space is limited.\n Advance registration is required. Form below. Payment can be made after re gistration is completed.\n\nQuestions?\nFor additional information\, pleas e contact Areyvut at: 201-244-6702 or info@areyvut.org\n[pdf-embedder ur l="https://areyvut.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Mitzvah-Clowning-Fall-26 -Flyer.pdf" title="Mitzvah Clowning Fall 26 Flyer"]\n\nRegistration Form\n [gravityform id="23" title="false" description="false"] CATEGORIES:Mitzvah Clowning END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR