The NFTY North American Board 2020-2021 & NFTY Staff
For NFTY teen leaders and staff, this summer has been all about brainstorming, strategizing, and planning for the future of NFTY. After countless think tank meetings and hours spent on Zoom, we are thrilled to announce the launch of NFTYx – a space where teens can turn their ideas into experiences for others.
COVID-19 has challenged our world to evolve in ways we never imagined, and in turn, NFTY is evolving. With the safety of our teens, staff, and volunteers top of mind, NFTYx will launch with virtual programs through the RJ on the Go platform. We’re especially excited because virtual programming opens up access for people no matter where in the world they are. That means your next youth group program could include people from across North America and beyond. Check out what’s coming up and sign up for an event!
Where did the idea for NFTYx come from?
Many of you took part in NFTY’s Think Tanks this summer. Repeatedly, we heard how important it is for teens to have a safe space to explore and take charge of their Jewish experience in partnership with adults who care about them. The 2020-2021 NFTY Board, the NFTY Core Team, and our wonderful NFTY staff took that to heart and used that as a cornerstone of the NFTYx experience.
The “x” in NFTYx represents the variable. Every teen brings different ideas, talents, and passions to the table – the potential for innovations is limitless. NFTYx is the place where those ideas, talents, and passions can grow into something bigger.
Teen-adult partnership has always been central to NFTY, so it’s no surprise that it is also central to the NFTYx experience. Our community of talented, passionate alumni and synagogue professionals will partner with and mentor teens to help them bring their vision for programs to life.
What makes NFTYx special?
In the past, the majority of NFTY events were organized at a regional level, and temple youth groups organized events for teens in their congregation. Often events were planned by a relatively small group of engaged teens in partnership with a youth professional.
NFTYx is designed to get more teens involved in every part of the process, engaging those already love NFTY and those who have yet to fall in love with it in planning Jewish experiences for all. We believe every teen should have a space to create and carry out their ideas and that NFTYx will help more teens bring their ideas to life. In the upcoming months, we look forward to sharing fellowships, training opportunities and mentoring that will support teens in this process.
In short, NFTYx creates more pathways for engagement and leadership than we have ever had before. More teens engaged means a stronger Reform Jewish future, and that is truly something to get excited about.
How can I get involved?
Go to NFTY.org/X and check out the events already in the works! When you find something you’re interested in sign up by…
- Logging in to RJ on the Go or creating a new account. It’s free to register and only takes a few minutes.
- Enjoy a NFTYx experience and start planning your own! Learn more at NFTY.org/NFTYx.
- If you are a teen and want to learn how to lead a NFTYx session, reach out to your Area Manager or someone from your Regional Board.
- Or, if you’re interested in becoming an adult partner in our NFTYx network, head to NFTY.org/Mentor to get started.
