Midrasha students are first teens to win East Bay award

The Center for Jewish Learning and Living bestowed its volunteer award recently, which it has been doing for the past 25 years. But what made the award different this time is: It went to two people, both teenagers.

Miranda Bogen and Noah Zaves, students in the CJLL's Midrasha in Contra Costa and newly minted high school graduates, are the first teens to ever win the annual award.

"The Center for Jewish Living and Learning thrives on the work of its volunteers," said Rabbi Glenn Karonsky, director of the center, which is affiliated with the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay. "And these two teens are so outstanding that we felt they were deserving to be recognized."

Bogen, of Walnut Creek, is a member of Congregation B'nai Tikvah. A participant in numerous leadership retreats, she said she appreciates the strong sense of community.

"It's good to be able to sit together and talk about something other than the regular stuff," she said. "The retreats give a chance to talk about identity as a Jewish teen, and about the issues I care about. I enjoyed doing all that and wanted the opportunity to give back."

Bogen went into the CJLL office to volunteer at least once a week, but also did work from home.

Doing organizational work, in addition to helping with the programming side, Bogen said, "I thought I really helped make the process easier for those running it. I also spent a lot of time in a peer-leadership program and got to help with programs I'm participating in myself."

At school, she was a member of the jazz band, spending her before-school hours at band practice.

Bogen will spend her summer continuing to volunteer, and then will spend next year in Israel, on Young Judaea's yearlong course. The following year, she will attend UCLA.

Zaves, also from Walnut Creek, attends Congregation B'nai Shalom. He said he appreciates Midrasha for the leadership opportunities it gives him.

Zaves has also participated in numerous leadership retreats and has attended Camp Tawonga for seven summers. He too helped with CJLL programming and logistical work.

A participant on his high school's mock trial team and in the Junior Statesmen of America program, Zaves also helped market a T-shirt expressing pride in Walnut Creek. He said he hopes to first pursue a career in Jewish education and then serve as president of the United States, in 2028.

"I would love to continue being a Jewish educator because Jonathan Emanuel [director of teen services at the Center for Jewish Living and Learning] has really been such an inspiration to me," said Zaves, adding that he thought Emanuel's job was "the coolest in the whole world."

"I think it would be amazing to be able to become a Jewish educator and give back to the community," he said.

Zaves will attend Willamette University in Oregon in the fall.