On Oct. 17, 19 Jewish teens from throughout Greater Hartford learned first hand what it means not to judge a person until you’ve walked in his or her shoes as participants in “Faces of Homelessness,” the first JTCares program of the 2014-2015 school year, hosted by the Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect) at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford.

Facilitated by Logan Singerman of Hands on Hartford, the teens divided into small groups to interview several guests about their past or current struggle with homelessness. The teens then introduced the guests they interviewed to the larger group, retelling their stories. Following the conversation, which integrated Jewish text into the discussion about community responsibility, the teens and guests made blankets to be distributed to those struggling with homelessness in Hartford.

“Hunger” will be the topic of conversation at the next JTCares program on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m., at Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom in Simsbury. With a goal of donating 100 pumpkin pies to Hands on Hartford’s Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets, teens will spend the afternoon baking while learning about Judaism’s response to hunger. On Sunday, Dec. 14, JTCares will focus on literacy.

JTConnect is a learning and social community program that strengthens a connection to Jewish heritage, traditions and values for Jewish teens in grades 6 through 12. Synagogue membership is not required.

Sessions include lunch, learning and a community service project. Locations vary. The cost is $36 per session. For more information, call (860) 727-6110 or visit www.jtconnect.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: At the “Face of Homelessness” event: (l to r) Erica Rothenberg, Maya Feigenbaum and Julia Bayer