-
Creation of the World – B’reishit
Shabbat Shalom, my name is Brooke Weiss. I am a senior from TCTY and this is my third fall kallah.
Continue reading -
50% of GETY: How NFTY Helped Maintain my Judaism When My Temple Closed Its Doors
Even though I resented the drive to Sunday School every week and dreaded having to add Thursdays to the equation once I reached the fourth grade, it was still my home. It may have rented space from a church and had only three religious school teachers, but the community was like a family.
Continue reading -
That time I spoke In Front of 27,000 People – March for our Lives
Gun violence in America is more real and prevalent than ever. Sandy Hook happened when I was 12 years old and I remember exactly where I was when I found out that 26 children were murdered in cold blood.
Continue reading -
Immigration and Leadership
Immigration reform has become an especially important topic this past year. The issue was a deciding factor in the election and gained President Trump many of his votes.
Continue reading -
On Being Courageous – A Reflection on NFTY-SW Fall Kallah 2017
It’s safe to say that the world can be a scary and mysterious place. Finding the strength to navigate it can be even scarier.
Continue reading -
Social Issues are Jewish issues
Earlier this week, I posted on social media pictures of two women I met while exploring Chicago before attending NFTY Convention 2017. I included the following text:.
Continue reading -
Small Teen, Big Voice
As reform Jews, we pride ourselves on inclusion, or to borrow the words of Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Audacious Hospitality. As our secular communities start to progress toward embracing the LGBT community, so does the URJ.
Continue reading -
High Hopes for the High Holidays
I remember the high holidays as a kid very well: huge dinner tables laden with soups, meats, and deserts; long winded services telling us to ask for forgiveness and look forward to a new year. I remember the long sermons prompting introspection, and I remember twiddling my thumbs unable, as a child, to fathom the concepts of new beginnings.
Continue reading -
Becoming the Leader of Me
The NFTY-SW Leadership Training Institute took teen leaders from workshop to workshop, program to program, but one in particular stood out to me. Lynne Butner, our NFTY-SW Regional Director, wrote a program on the Science of Character where she utilized the Let it Ripple video by Tiffany Shlain on character building.
Continue reading -
This Is Where I Belong
NFTY-Southwest has never been a quiet region. We sing loud and we cheer even louder.
Continue reading