Youth & Education

Sometimes, the most meaningful success stories cannot be measured solely through statistics or reports. They are found in renewed confidence, restored purpose, and young people discovering strengths they never knew they possessed. That is exactly what is happening through the Crown Heights Mesivta Vocational Track, an innovative initiative of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), developed [...]

Pictured Above: Horizons Academy students during an educational visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, where they explored the rich history of immigration, diversity, and opportunity that has shaped New York City and the nation. The Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is proud to recognize and thank The Pinkerton Foundation for its continued support [...]

The Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is proud to announce a major expansion of its after-school programming, bringing critical educational enrichment, mentorship, and youth development opportunities to even more children and families throughout Crown Heights and Brooklyn. JCCGCI has officially been awarded a close to $15 million, six-year grant under the New York City Department of [...]

For many immigrants arriving in New York City, learning English is not simply about language. It is about independence, opportunity, and the ability to fully participate in everyday life. It can mean securing stable employment, navigating healthcare systems, communicating with a child’s teacher, or taking the first step toward citizenship. At the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island [...]

The Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is proud to spotlight the continued success and momentum of the Crown Heights Mesivta Vocational Track, an innovative initiative that is transforming how students engage with education, purpose, and possibility. As we look ahead to the coming year, excitement is building around a program that has already proven to be [...]

I am pleased to share an exciting and long-awaited development for the Crown Heights community. On May 26, 2021, a virtual “listening tour” brought together a wide range of professionals, organizations, and institutions dedicated to supporting at-risk youth in our neighborhood. A strong consensus emerged from that discussion: introducing a Vocational Track within the Mesivta high schools of Crown [...]

Inside JCCGCI’s Machane Heights Biking Camp: STEM, Sports, and Lifelong Memories JCCGCI’s Machane Heights Biking Camp, located in Crown Heights, has once again proven to be a summer experience like no other. Designed exclusively for boys ages 11–14, the camp blends adventure, education, and fun in a way that leaves lasting memories. Under the leadership of Rabbi Yanky Blasberg, [...]

This year, Horizons Academy students didn’t just meet expectations— they shattered them. From a 100% graduation rate to paid internships that launched real careers, our 2024–2025 school year proved what’s possible when young people are given the right opportunities. We welcomed 100 new students, guided 65 into college credit courses, and connected dozens more to meaningful, paid work experiences. [...]

JCCGCI'S "Horizons Academy" Celebrates Sixteen Years of Delivering Life-Changing Help to the Highest-Risk Teens! For sixteen years, students in Coney Island and the surrounding neighborhoods have been benefiting from an incredible resource - Horizons Academy. A project of Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), the Horizons Academy program is based at Abraham Lincoln High School, and aims [...]

Within a few short minutes of the broadcast of the below, we were honored and delighted to receive the following response from Mayor de Blasio: From: Bill de Blasio Sent: Monday, December 2, 2019 3:12 PM To: Rabbi Moshe Wiener <m.wiener@jccgci.org> Subject: Fw: Help High-Risk Students Graduate! Rabbi, this story is simply amazing! You and your team should be [...]