Golda Och Academy (GOA) Chapter of the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM), American Climate Leadership Awards 2025 Youth Finalist

Winner, Runner-Up will be Announced on April 16, 2025

The following blog is a part of our American Climate Leadership Award 2025 Series.

Golda Och Academy is among 10 American Climate Leadership Award finalists to be recognized at the American Climate Leadership Awards Broadcast on April 16.

For the past year and a half, the chapter of the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM) at Golda Och Academy (GOA), a K-12 Jewish day school in West Orange, NJ, has been campaigning for a Climate Action Plan (CAP) detailing the school’s efforts in greening, education, and advocacy.

The JYCM chapter assembled a coalition of 10 student-led organizations, obtained Student Council endorsement, and organized a meeting with our Head of School and the Director of Facilities and Operations. After hearing their pitch, both endorsed a CAP. After the endorsement, the students formed a tripartite “CAP Committee,” bringing together students, faculty, and administrators to draft specific CAP provisions over three months.

Throughout the drafting process, they shared updates about the CAP in Upper School assemblies and the school newspaper. They organized a Community Town Hall event where students, parents, faculty, and administrators asked questions and gave feedback. They are now working on obtaining final ratification from the school’s Board of Trustees.

Join us for the American Climate Leadership Awards broadcast to honor Golda Och Academy and the other ACLA finalists. Register Today for more information about the ACLA finalists.

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