Is it free?
Yes. AKLA is always free for participating teens. There is no tuition.
FAQ
Is it free? What time? Is my kid safe?
A parent should be able to answer those without a phone call.
What ages?
Los Angeles and Chicago are for Jewish teens ages 12–14, around B’nai Mitzvah. New York is a one-day intensive designed for a slightly older age group.
When is it? What time?
Los Angeles 2026: five Sundays, October 18 – November 15. Chicago 2027: five Sundays, February 7 – March 7. New York: Sunday, October 18, 2026. Sessions are Sunday half-days (full day in New York). Exact pickup windows are emailed after acceptance so families can put the dates on a calendar now and lock times later.
Is my kid safe?
Sessions are staffed by the AKLA team. Teens travel as a group by bus. Security and defense days have included Jewish Federation security experts and IDF soldiers, plus introductory Krav Maga. After acceptance we collect emergency contacts and medical notes. Pickup windows are private — not posted on this site.
Where do we go? Is there a bus?
Yes. Teens travel by bus to partner sites. Los Angeles visits include places such as Cedars-Sinai, cinema and technology partners, and a closing lunch at Hillcrest. Chicago includes Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Wrigley Field, and Adler Planetarium. New York is at The Squadron, with round-trip transportation from locations around the city.
Is this religious or political?
No. AKLA is not a synagogue school and not a political program. It is Jewish pride through innovation.
Can a school, synagogue, or youth group apply together?
Yes. Group applications are welcome. Use the group path on the Apply page.
Los Angeles 2026 is closed — now what?
Join the 2027 waitlist. Chicago 2027 and New York 2026 are open.
What should my child wear? What about food and phones?
Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes. Lunch is part of the day — tell us about allergies on the form. Phones stay with the teen unless a site requires otherwise. After acceptance we send packing, medical, and pickup details.
How fast do you reply?
We typically reply within a few business days at apply@aklausa.org.
Safety
How we run a Sunday.
Staffing
Sessions are run by the AKLA team — founders, programming staff, and session partners. After acceptance we collect parent/guardian emergency contacts.
Community security
Security and defense sessions have included Jewish Federation security experts and IDF soldiers, plus introductory Krav Maga. Staff stay with the group at every site. We do not name a private security contractor unless that partnership is public.
Travel
Teens travel as a group by bus. Pickup windows and stops are sent privately after acceptance.
Medical & food
Note allergies, medications, and mobility needs on your application. Lunch is provided on designated sessions. We follow site rules at hospitals, museums, and sports facilities.
What this is not
AKLA is not Hebrew school and not a political program. Krav Maga and security sessions are taught as skill and history — informative, not frightening.