More than 100 mesivta students in Crown Heights have taken part this year in a vocational training initiative designed to help students remain engaged in yeshiva and develop practical skills alongside their regular studies.
The Crown Heights Mesivta Vocational Track, launched by the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) in partnership with local mesivtas, began operating after Tishrei following several years of planning, consultation, and fundraising.
The program currently provides structured carpentry training to students from Mesivta Oholei Torah, Mesivta Chovevei Torah, and Mesivta Bnei Aliya, with each school participating at separate times. Organizers say approximately 130 students are enrolled.
According to JCCGCI, the program was developed to offer an additional educational pathway for boys who may benefit from more hands-on learning opportunities while remaining within the yeshiva framework.
Plans are underway to expand training into additional trades, including plumbing, low-voltage electrical work, welding, and other vocational disciplines.
Educators involved in the initiative say they have observed increased engagement among participating students. Some reported improvements in attendance, classroom focus, and overall confidence.
One student said that workshop sessions gave him a sense of achievement during periods when academic work felt more difficult. Another described becoming more confident and increasingly involved in helping classmates.
JCCGCI says demand for the program has grown since its launch, with requests for additional sessions and expanded participation across schools.
The initiative is supported by a two-year, $225,000 grant from an anonymous donor to pilot and administer the program across the three mesivtas. According to organizers, continued expansion depends on raising matching funds.
Families and community members interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to contact participating mesivta leadership directly.
JCCGCI, which operates workforce and youth programs across New York City, including in Crown Heights, says the vocational track builds on its broader efforts to support educational and employment opportunities within the community.
JCCGCI says the program’s continued expansion depends on meeting the grant’s matching-fund requirements. Community members interested in supporting the initiative or helping expand access for additional students can contribute at https://www.jccgci.org/support-the-crown-heights-vocational-training-program
