A new weekly radio show in Chicago caters to Jewish teens.
WTKA(AM) at 1330 kHz in the Chicago area is airing “JTeen Radio.” Heard weekly on Monday evening, 7–8 p.m., the topical call-in show is hosted by Oren Arsers.
The program is an update of one conceived by Rabbi Moshe Isenberg in 2007 called “The NCSY Radio Hour.” NCSY is the former National Conference of Synagogue Youth.
That show eventually was cut due to budget considerations, Isenberg told Radio World, “but the radio spark never really burnt out, and thanks in part to a grant from the Teen Professionals Kehilla in Chicago, a new radio program, now called ‘JTeen Radio,’ is back.”
Listeners are encouraged to call during the show to voice their opinions, suggest topics or music. Those properly motivated might even co-host. Subject matter starts at Judaism, but it often veers off into other topics of typical teen interest. Teens create the program, pick the music, submit the questions for the guests “and truly feel their voice is heard,” Isenberg said. Parents are encouraged to listen as well.
Aaron Levine, teen and campus programming coordinator for the Jewish United Fund, a JTeen supporter, called the project an opportunity for teens to talk about issues that are important to them, share experiences and “enjoy being Jewish in Chicago.” The program, supported by a number of local charitable and Jewish groups, is also heard online, streamed or as a podcast.
Shown, from left, are Oren Arsers, Rabbi Moshe Isenberg and Rachel Jaffe from Response Center taking listener questions this week.
