AKLA Educational Fellowship Expanded Across United States

The American Jewish teen program has grown from its Los Angeles roots to serve students in Chicago and Dallas.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Judaism

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a stylized open book bridge with geometric light rays, representing youth educational expansion. — The AKLA educational fellowship, which offers themed enrichment for Jewish teens, has expanded its reach from Los Angeles to new programs in Chicago and Dallas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The AKLA program, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2022, provides five-week educational fellowships for Jewish teens aged 12 to 15. The initiative, which runs from Yom Kippur to Thanksgiving, has recently expanded from its original Los Angeles location to include new programs in Chicago and Dallas.

Why it matters

The program was created to address a lack of excitement in traditional bnei mitzvah education while aiming to instill a sense of Jewish pride. This focus has gained increased relevance for the community amid a rise in antisemitism.

The fellowship lasts for five consecutive Sundays and currently serves 140 participants in Los Angeles. Enrollment includes teens aged 12 to 15, with some individual temple cohorts ranging from 45 to 50 participants.

The players

David and Janet Polak Foundation

This private philanthropic organization provides financial support for educational initiatives like the AKLA fellowship.

Jewish National Fund

This organization supports the development and expansion of community-based programs across the United States.

The details

Participants engage in a curriculum of themed sessions covering cinema, health, innovation, and history through hands-on visits to sites like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Warner Bros. Studios. The fellowship is supported by funding from the David and Janet Polak Foundation and the Jewish National Fund.

The program launched in Los Angeles in 2022.
The fellowship runs annually during the fall, spanning from Yom Kippur to Thanksgiving.
A session is scheduled for the spring in Chicago.

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Culture Shift

The expansion of this fellowship mirrors broader efforts to modernize Jewish education in the face of rising global tensions. This trend reflects a move toward hands-on, identity-focused programming that diverges from traditional classroom-only models.

Jewish families in Chicago and Dallas can now access these specialized educational sessions for their teenagers. The program requires a five-week commitment on Sundays during the fall season.

The takeaway

This expansion highlights a growing desire for community-based educational models that integrate heritage values with real-world experiences. Parents interested in such programs can monitor local organizational outreach to identify enrollment windows for upcoming sessions.