AKLA — It's AWESOME to be Jewish!
DonateApply

Achla — adj. meaning awesome

What is AKLA?

AKLA (ACH-la, “awesome”) is a free five-Sunday fellowship for Jewish teens ages 12–14 in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Teens meet Jewish and Israeli innovators in technology, medicine, security, media, and remembrance — then leave prouder of who they already are.

Perfect as a pre- or post-B’nai Mitzvah program, AKLA empowers the next generation of Jewish leaders by connecting them with trailblazing Jewish professionals, innovators, and changemakers.

Each session offers a dynamic mix of inspiring guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and deep Jewish learning in a supportive, fun environment. Teens leave with a stronger connection to their Jewish heritage—and a clearer sense of how they can shape the future.

Applications open now. Group applications from synagogues, day schools, and youth organizations are welcome. Check out our application page for details.

AKLA is not Hebrew school and not a political program. It is Jewish pride through innovation — technology, medicine, security, media, and remembrance.

Check out our application page

A Sunday in four beats

Not a lecture series.

  1. 01

    Gather & go

    Teens meet, board the bus, and travel together. Pickup windows are emailed after acceptance.

  2. 02

    Meet an innovator

    A Jewish or Israeli guest — robotics, medicine, cinema, sport, or the IDF — opens the day.

  3. 03

    Hands-on

    Drones, VR, Krav Maga, a simulation lab, or a batting cage. This is not a lecture series.

  4. 04

    Pride & lunch

    Jewish learning, remembrance, and a meal. Teens leave prouder of who they already are.

Watch

2023 & 2024 Fall Cohort Videos

2023 Fall Cohort Video

2024 Fall Cohort Video

Mission Statement

AKLA creates proud Jews

AKLA creates proud Jews by educating teens about the world’s most accomplished Jewish successes and innovations. Through immersive, experiential learning across diverse fields—from technology and humanitarian impact to culture, security, and global innovation—AKLA empowers teens to discover pride in their heritage and the relevance of Jewish values in today’s world.

Vision

Partners in the field

Teens will work with AKLA’s leading partner organizations in high tech, medicine, security, arts and remembrance. They will be exposed to innovative and inspiring ways to look at their Jewish identity, and how they too can incorporate that understanding into their own lives and the greater Jewish community. The program also highlights Israel’s myriad cutting-edge achievements, thereby allowing the participants to forge a deeper connection to Israel and take pride in our homeland.

Team

Full bios →
Jeff Polak

Jeff Polak

President / Co-Founder

Tonia Barber

Tonia Barber

Executive Director / Co-Founder

Rebecca Webb

Rebecca Webb

Programming Coordinator

Advisory Board

Evan Schlessinger

Evan Schlessinger

Chair, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

David Suissa

David Suissa

President, Tribe Media / Jewish Journal

Rabbi David J. Wolpe

Rabbi David J. Wolpe

Senior Rabbi, Sinai Temple · Scholar in Residence, Maimonides Fund

Jacki Karsh

Jacki Karsh

Journalist · Founder, Karsh Fellowship for Journalism

Allyson Simon

Allyson Simon

Philanthropist · New York

Rabbi Lori Shapiro

Rabbi Lori Shapiro

Founder, Open Temple

Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot

Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot

Temple Judea

Robert Polak

Robert Polak

Founder, CEO, and CIO of Anchor Bolt Capital

Cedars-SinaiTechnionWarner Bros.Jewish JournalJUF ChicagoNorthwestern FeinbergAdler PlanetariumJewish National Fund-USASkirball Cultural CenterAcademy MuseumSinai TempleTemple Judea