Apr 19, 2020–Apr 1, 2021
The teen years are instrumental in the development of a sense of self. They are also a critical time in the creation of what psychologists from the Family Narrative Lab at Emory University call the “intergenerational self”—a self embedded in a larger family history.
What shapes us? Which family histories become our core stories? How do we make them our own? Over fifty teens, ranging in age from twelve to nineteen years old, created audio works reflecting on these questions and exploring themes including migration, language, rebellion, persistence, and passion.
Psychologists at Emory University have shown that individuals with a positive sense of intergenerational self also demonstrate increased resilience. Each recording presented here connects family narratives across generations, and provides a touchstone for contemplating our own histories. Together, these stories offer a rare window into youth perspectives and a place for young voices to be heard.
This exhibition is available online only.
Abraham Lincoln High School (ALHS) is a California Distinguished public high school located in the Sunset District of San Francisco. For What We Hold, select members of the high school’s freshman class contributed stories highlighting family histories, moments, and migrations.
Participants of the Teen Art Connect (TAC) program at The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) contributed core stories that unite them with past generations and ground them in their families’ histories. TAC brings together high school students from diverse backgrounds to explore, connect, and imagine in a creative museum setting.
Teen participants from the Machon Madяich fellowship program at The Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst (JCHB) interviewed their grandparents and reflected upon their stories of immigration. The fellowship program brings together thirty-six high school and college–aged students from New York City’s Russian-speaking Jewish community for educational sessions, immersive programs, and mentorship opportunities in Jewish educational settings.
Jewish Community High School of the Bay juniors contributed reflections on aspects of their Jewish identities passed on to them by family members. The Jewish Community High School of the Bay is a pluralistic Jewish High School serving the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Yollocalli Arts Reach, the youth initiative of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, offers free visual arts and digital media programs and events to youth ages thirteen through twenty-four. Yollocalli's audio storytelling and radio program provides an outlet for bilingual and bicultural youth to share their voices and represent their communities through reporting and storytelling.
Thank you to the following educators for their guidance: Shaina Shealy, Dan Wolf, Samantha Sherman, Rose-Ellen Lessy, Haley Fauth, Karie Rubin, PJ Gubatina Policarpio, Stephanie Manriquez, Hananne Hanafi, Vanessa Sanchez, and Nina Faynberg.
Teen Programs are made possible by major support from The Covenant Foundation and U.S. Bank Foundation. These programs are part of the Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Initiative (Teen Initiative), a project of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, with support from the Jim Joseph Foundation and a consortium of local funders. Additional support is provided by the California Arts Council, Miranda Lux Foundation, and Ira A. Roschelle M.D. Family Foundation.