Mission/Bios
Our Mission
We reflect on the fact that our Jewish faith is the oldest spiritual tradition of the Western world. While the thread of hope at Judaism’s core has often frayed throughout thousands of years of being attacked by hate, bias, tropes, and discrimination, the Jewish people’s acts of bravery, courage, and lovingkindness have always carefully repaired the tear and strengthened hope anew.
If we continue to behave as bystanders and teach our children how to be bystanders, we will be in the same place in fifteen to twenty years. We must be UPstanders.
We, as adults, have a responsibility to role model courage and persistence in building a culture of repelling and reporting antisemitism and bias; this Guidebook is designed to help parents, grandparents and teachers. Then, when our children are college students and adults, they will have a better chance of commanding more kindness and respect, and living openly and proudly with others as Jews.
If more of us take the challenge, perhaps the next generation can make a significant contribution to reducing antisemitism and bias for all children. The world can be better and different—if we start now.
Who We Are
“As we honor our ancestors’ resilience in the face of adversity, let us affirm that it is now our responsibility to step up and defend our people and our values.”
—David Harris, former AJC CEO
In late 2021, Lynne conducted a listening session for the Greater Princeton Jewish community under the auspices of her local Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council. What we heard was that antisemitic incidents were increasing; Jewish youth were suffering shame and trauma and that parental and educators did not know what to do.. and all this before October 7th !!!
But after more than 21 years as Executive Director of the Kidsbridge Youth Center in New Jersey Lynne knows what to do and with decades of experience as a teacher, principal, Jewish preschool Director and college professor, Harlene Galen also knows what to do. At Kidsbridge, together for 21 years we created ‘evidence-based’ strategies that youth learn, practice and use.
As we do in the Kidsbridge Youth Center, children and teens should be taught Jewish identity, agency and empowerment i.e., ‘stand up and speak out’ when confronted with antisemitism or any other bias. Harlene and Lynne have taught empathy, identity, pride and empowerment to more than 35,000 students and educators. (Lynne is now Empathy Director for the Children’s Home Society.)
Who is there to teach Jewish youth? Jewish parents and educators. But who is there to teach adults? In our new guidebook, COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM & HATE, Harlene and Lynne are ready to engage and coach adults, youth and families.
About Lynne
As Founder and past Executive Director of the Kidsbridge Youth Center in New Jersey– Lynne has spent the last 21 years creating programs and interactive learning experiences teaching empathy, empowerment, respect and anti-bias, anti-racism for more than 35,000 children and hundreds of teachers. Kidsbridge Center is a unique immersive ‘small group discussion’ learning lab for both youth, teachers and parents.
Lynne’s book “The Empathy Advantage: Coaching Children to be Kind, Respectful and Successful” was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2020 and is now available in paperback.
Connected Jewishly
- JCRC -Federation
- AJC NJ Board
- AJC MJAC
- Greater Trenton Jewish Cemetery Project
- Mercer Cty. Holocaust Commission
About Harlene
As the 16-year volunteer chairperson of Kidsbridge Youth Center’s education committee, Harlene has participated in crafting a variety of curricula to meet the needs of the population it serves. She has drawn upon her diversified experiences in education including teaching preschoolers through college graduate students, administering as a public school curriculum coordinator and principal, and her published writing in professional journals and books. She is the co-author of The Child Development Associate National Program: The Early Years and Pioneers.
Served Jewish Synagogues as
- Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President
- Committee Chair & Board of Directors Member
- Original Nursery School Director
- Youth Group Advisor
- Religious School Teacher