Samantha Renzulli of Fairfield has been selected to receive a Moving Traditions Kol Koleinu Teen Feminist Fellowship. A returning fellow, Samantha last year launched  “Finding Feminism: An Anthology of Women in Literature” as her social action project.

Renzulli was among 56 talented Jewish teens in four regional cohorts — East Coast, Midwest, New York area, and West Coast — selected to join the 2021-22 Kol Koleinu Teen Fellows cohort from across the United States, it was announced recently by Moving Traditions, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and United Synagogue Youth (USY). Renzulli is of eight fellows are returning for a second year.

Moving Traditions Kol Koleinu Teen Feminist Fellowship allows teen leaders to explore and deepen their feminist knowledge, channel their voices to share their beliefs, and use their skills to create tangible change in their communities. Open to Jewish 10th-12th graders of all genders, the year-long fellowship brings teens together online and in person to learn about feminism and social change. The fellows then use their expertise to create projects that teach their peers and advance positive change in their communities. 

Past participants in Kol Koleinu, which means “All Our Voices,” have dedicated themselves to social change projects on a broad range of major issues including body image, voting rights, the need for gender equality within their schools, and inclusive sex education. This year, the diverse cohort plans to tackle an even greater variety of social challenges.The Fellows then create projects to advance positive change with other teens in their communities with the support of adult social activist mentors.

“Incoming Kol Koleinu Fellows are ready to channel their energy toward meaningful social change, especially as they emerge from the pandemic,” said Moving Traditions founder and CEO Deborah S. Meyer. “In their applications, the Fellows told us that they want to fight antisemitism, sexism, and racial injustice—and they want to work with their peers to advance feminism, reproductive rights, and positive body image, among other issues. Many have already stepped up as leaders in their local communities and are ready to take their activism to the next level. We’re looking forward to seeing how these inspiring teens will come together in Kol Koleinu to create change in the Jewish community and the wider world.”

For more information on Moving Traditions programs for preteens and teens, contact Brian Mono at bmono@movingtraditions.org.