Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor; I am the Lord.
Vayikra, Chapter 19, verse 16
JSPA is an 11-year-old non-profit organization that supports, develops and improves student news media in Jewish high schools, offering ongoing mentorship in Torah-based newsroom decision-making so that students and their communities can reap the many benefits of professional-level journalism practiced with religious ethics in mind.
The organization also offers a Jewish ethical perspective on journalism to students in any school, and supports Jewish students in secular schools as they navigate challenges to their identities and beliefs. Here are some of our programs.
Jewish Scholastic Journalism Convention: Once a year, students and advisers convene for three days of learning professional-level newsgathering, critical thinking and analysis, and graphic and web design skills, all presented by leading journalists and educators with Jewish topics and Torah-based Jewish ethics in mind. The conference culminates in a Shabbaton with keynote speaker — in 2025, Ami Eden, CEO and Executive Editor of 70 Faces Media, which publishes JTA, the New York Jewish Week, Kveller, Hey Alma and more.
Annual Jewish Scholastic Journalism Awards
JSPA sponsors these awards to honor and encourage the best work in high school news, feature, opinion, multimedia and design journalism on Jewish- and Israel-related topics. They are open to all, including those in public and private high schools of any orientation — last year, 32 different schools entered 274 stories, photos, design and more.
Student Editors Roundtable
JSPA editors-in-chief meet once a month on Zoom to learn new skills, share successes and brainstorm about the myriad challenges that accrue only to leaders of high school newspapers and websites. This year’s Roundtable is made up of 18 students representing Jewish high schools in Miami, Memphis, Atlanta, New York, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Seattle and Rockville, Md. Three members presented their best out-of-the-box ideas at JSPA’s 2024 convention.
Ongoing Journalism Adviser Training
Whether a teacher taking on a new role or a former journalist learning to teach, high school advisers can receive JSPA support and training including Summer Adviser Workshops, topical Zoom meets related to breaking news, and one-on-one mentorship during the school year. Three entirely new journalism programs have been started with advisers who joined these cohorts, and seven JSPA-affiliated advisers led their programs to national journalism awards this year.
JSPA wants to see journalism become as foundational in Jewish high schools as basketball is — that is, ubiquitous and appreciated as a key component of a well-rounded academic and religious educational program. It is our dream for these standards — and the unified intellectual and spiritual identity they can confer — to find their way into American newsrooms.
Already a reality for thousands of students in secular schools, we know these skills accompany school journalists to university and beyond, prepared to take leadership roles in whatever field they choose.
For more information, please e-mail Joelle Keene at [email protected] and we’ll send you more details. You also can e-mail her to set up a time to speak by phone.
Here is a link to news coverage of the Jewish Scholastic Press Association.
