This summer I was lucky enough to attend the URJ Kutz camp in New York. Along with meeting NFTYites from all around the country, I was also given the opportunity to learn so many new leadership skills. I participated in the TYG leadership program they offer at camp. I made so many unbelievable friendships while learning new techniques to run my TYG. I picked up ideas from my new friends and their various NFTY regions and I just can’t wait to bring my ideas back here.

By Riane Barney

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This summer I spent four weeks exploring Israel with NFTY in Israel’s Adventure program. The trip was incredible. I’ll never forget the connections I made with my group mates, the land of Israel and my Jewish heritage. As I explored Israel, I fell in love with the place, the people and the tradition. No words can truly describe just how life changing this trip was for me. I would advise anyone who hasn’t had a chance to go to Israel to make the effort to go because it is something you will never forget.

By Alessandra Rau

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This summer I was part of a session that changed my life in so many different ways. I’ve been going to camp for 7 years now, and every summer I grow and change for the better, but this summer was different. I had high expectations for the summer and every expectation I had was exceeded. I learned about myself and others, made bonds that will last forever, and met people that inspired me and taught me about the type of person I want to be in the future. It may be cliche but it’s true, Avodah will change you and your life, and it’s the best summer you will ever have.

By Sarah McCaffrey

By Evan Traylor, NFTY North American President

Presented June 25, 2012 at the URJ Kutz Camp

As I stand here looking at this unrolled Torah, the history of our people, it makes me realize something: we have the opportunity to have great relationships with the Jewish people who came before us. This includes our ancestors who stories live in our Torah, as well as our family members of the past. L’dor V’dor, from generation to generation, we are strengthened by the relationships we create with the Jewish people of the past. Relationships tie us together.

I want to tell you a story – and oddly enough, this story isn’t even mine. About two years ago, I was a participant on NFTY in Israel. While we were at one of the last hotels, I am told that I happened to be walking up a hill to the main lobby at the same time that Marlee Ribnick, NFTY MCVP, happened to be walking down that exact hill on the way back to her cabin. We passed right by each other not even truly acknowledging each other’s presence. We saw each other, but there was no interaction.  While I don’t quite remember this moment, Marlee says that this is one of the moments that she remembers me by from that Israel trip. Since hearing this story from Marlee, I have wondered: what would our relationship be like today if we had stopped for one minute to have a conversation and get to know each other. What did I miss out on?

Think about these questions for a second: Who got you here? Who are the influential people in your Jewish journey? And how did you create these special relationships? It is amazing to think that some of these relationships began by total and complete accident. However, here’s another question: How would your life be different if you took the initiative to reach to others and created intentional, meaningful relationships?

Within NFTY, we are all brought together by the relationships that are created at Temple Youth Group, regional, and North American events. These relationships create opportunities for both individual as well as communal growth. The more relationships, connections, and interactions we have within our NFTY communities, the stronger we become. Relationships allow us to take NFTY from being a youth group for Reform Jewish teens, to a youth movement for Reform Jewish teens.

So, how do we do this? How do we all take the initiative to reach out to others in our Kutz and NFTY communities and create intentional, meaningful relationships? First, you must make an effort. Walk around at lunch meeting new people or sit with a new group during free time. Step outside of your comfort zone, and allow yourself to experience personal growth.  Consider the story in the book of Genesis when Abraham welcomes the strangers who are wandering in the desert.  In this story, it is a hot day, an uncomfortable day, and the story literally says “Abraham RUNS up to them”.  Be Abraham.  Run up to others; make the effort to bring them into your life. Second, know the power of knowing someone’s name. I know that we all met a ton of people yesterday, but how many people’s names do you still remember today? Knowing someone’s name shows that you are truly investing in a relationship or connection with that person.   This about the characters we know in the torah.  The torah is a collection of stories about people.  We have relationships with Moses, with Abraham, with Miriam and with Noah.  Do we have a relationship with the 250 who rebelled with Korach?  You can walk away from Kutz this summer talking about the 180 campers and 70 staff members – OR – you can walk away with stories about how Jordan influenced this and that great friend Joy, etc.  Third, listen. Listen to what that person has to say whenever they introduce themself to you; truly make an effort to invest in who they are and what they need.  This week, in Parashat Chukat, we hear the story of Moses hitting the rock to get water.  In this scene, the people are whiny, and thirsty, and complaining – and honestly, annoying.  Moses got mad.  His anger and unwillingness to spend time reassuring the tired, thirsty Israelites and building some trust led to him acting out and disobeying God.  Had he spent time building a trusting relationship and being in tune with how the people were feeling and what they needed, maybe the story would have played out differently – maybe the people would have had more trust in Moses and not complained so much.

It is easy to create intentional relationships with other people in our camp or NFTY setting. But how can we intentionally create meaningful relationships with the Jewish people of the past? Think about the history of the Jewish people. We are an incredible people, with an incredible history. However, there is a distinct difference between growing up hearing about the accomplishments of Abraham and Moses, and truly learning and understanding their stories and their impact on the history of the Jewish people. How will you make them a part of your Jewish story moving forward this summer? Which personality from our collective Jewish narrative do you want to get to know better?

As we look ahead to a great summer at the URJ Kutz Camp and an exciting NFTY year, I have a challenge for you: take the initiative to create intentional and meaningful relationships in your life. Reach out to others in your Kutz and NFTY communities and go beyond just a friendly passing; take the time to create an experience and bond with someone else. Take the initiative to ensure that the people you met yesterday at the first day of Kutz, become a part of your story, and the story of the Jewish people.

Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazeik.  Chazak – I will strengthen you.  Chazak – you will strengthen me.  V’Nitchazeik – and we will all be strengthened together!!!

By Miranda Rosen, NFTY-SW Ruach Chair

My name is Miranda, and I believe in friendship. No, not the cliché, over exaggerated movie recreation of what a friendship should be, but rather a pure, honest form of the word. I believe in a friendship where you don’t even have to think about it—it almost comes naturally. A type of friendship where you don’t have to pretend to be anyone but yourself, and you are completely loved for exactly who you are.

I know, it honestly sounds impossible. I mean, a group of teenagers not really conforming to any social stereotype, not judging one another, and not being fake. Believe it or not, this weekend I was lucky enough to attend an event where things like that were a common occurrence. If you can’t tell by my voice that I mostly lost after an amazing four days, it was truly unbelievable. It was called West Coast Party, and it is EIE alumni, Camp Newman alumni, Camp Kalsman alumni, and a NFTY event for CWR, SoCal, Northwest, and Southwest. We met at a place called Camp Newman nestled in the hills of Santa Rosa, California where I’m lucky enough to spend most of my summers each year. All 380 of the teens that attended were ecstatic to see each other; after all, most of us only get to spend a few times a year actually with each other because of the distance between where we live. But for the weekend, Camp Newman became our home. You would think spending months apart would break any high school friendship, after all according to popular legend and most Facebook statuses, people are always “shady”, “changing”, and “two-faced”, but for us, it only makes our bonds stronger. It makes our friendships special and irreplaceable. When I saw my friends for the first time in months, and in some cases years, I found myself telling them my inner most secrets within minutes because, well, that’s just how it is between all of us. That’s our friendship, really.  It’s trusting, it’s honest, it’s pure. Being with these people remind me that no matter what is happening in your life, there will always be someone to assure you that everything will be alright.

True friendship like the kind I have found at Camp Newman and NFTY never leaves you, it only reminds you how beautiful life can be. There is a saying in our culture that says “if I am not for myself, than who will be for me?” I take this to mean that if I am not myself, then I can’t expect others to be themselves with me. In this community, in this group of true friends I have, we all let go and are able to be ourselves.

So join NFTY, spend your summer doing a Mitzvah Corps, go to Newman or Kutz, spend a semester in Israel with EIE. Take advantage of how lucky you are to be able to have all of these great experiences. You only have four years in high school, make it a four years that’s worth celebrating. Four years in which you have the best times of your lives in a URJ program. After all, without these bonds you make at all of these events that make life so spectacular, you’re alive, but you’re not really living. I believe in friendship, I believe in camp, I believe in NFTY, I believe in the magic that happens at any URJ event, and I know I’m not the only one.

Jon Segal from Montclair, NJ and Hannah Bender from Carol Stream, Illinois here.  Along with 33 other students attending the fall semester of NFTY-EIE High School in Israel we have hiked from the Kineret to the Mediterranean, spent a week in the Israeli army, journeyed to Poland, climbed Masada, floated in the Dead Sea, and shared many other fulfilling experiences here in Israel in addition to studying Jewish History, Hebrew, Math, and everything else you do in High School.

While on our first big trek, Yam L’Yam (Sea to Sea), we witnessed history. Five years ago, while on duty in his tank by the border of Gaza, Corporal Gilad Shalit was captured and held by Hamas. On the fourth day of our trip, while hiking in the Galilee, we could see Shalit’s hometown, Mitzpe Hila. Without our knowing, this was also the day of his release and he was scheduled to arrive home at the same time we were scheduled to arrive at the top of Gorin Mountain. Before climbing the mountain, we were preparing and relaxing at the foot, when our guide got off the phone and said, “How quickly can we get to the top of this mountain?” We raced up, arriving in exhaustion. As we sat at the top, observing the scenery and learning the history of a Crusader Castle, a helicopter came overhead. This helicopter circled around the mountaintops for about 15 minutes, until ultimately yielding to two very large army helicopters making their approach. One helicopter landed on top of a hilltop across the valley. Gilad Shalit was on board and he was coming home, finally.

This experience has left a mark in our hearts and has shown us what being in Israel is all about, how much the citizens of Israel value human life and how hard they will work to save just one. EIE has given us the opportunity to be a part of Israeli society and given us the tools to take back to America the values of Israeli and Jewish life. We spent a week in Gadna, an introduction to the Israeli army, and came to realize the length Israelis will go to protect the State and its citizens.

Last Tuesday, we had the singular honor of spending time with Noam Shalit, Gilad’s amazing, indefatigable father, and interview him. It was obvious why everyone was so passionate about the cause; because Shalit had become the child of all Israel, the son of the Jewish people. We saw in his eyes and heard in his voice his relief and genuine, overwhelming gratitude.  All of these experiences inspired us to feel a part of something larger than ourselves: the continuity of our ancient civilization. Thank you Israel, thank you EIE, and thank you Gilad Shalit.

By Ivy Cohen, Youth Director at Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El

The last Biennial I attended was in 2007 in San Diego. I did not know what to expect of Biennial and could not imagine just what thousands of Reform Jews looked like. I didn’t know how many of my former camp counselors I would reunite with or what Jewish musical legends would share their talent with the community. I didn’t know what Shabbat would resemble or if it would be as powerful as Shabbat at NFTY convention. I didn’t know if Debbie Friedman z”l would remember meeting me while I was on NFTY in Israel. I had countless uncertainties.  On the bright side, I had a long flight from New York to daydream and imagine what Biennial would be like. Even so, upon arrival in San Diego, I was a scared out of my pants college freshman.  I was also the Religious and Cultural Vice President of NFTY. That Biennial changed my life. I witnessed the magnificence of Reform Jews in large numbers. I schmoozed and shook hands with the key leaders of our movement. I rode the elevator with Rabbi Yoffie. I led Havdallah along with my board for the whole Biennial, knees shaking and off-key, but it didn’t matter. I was on cloud nine. In that moment, I decided to pursue a career within the Reform Movement.

Yesterday, walking through the doors of the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center was somewhat of a daunting moment. I became filled with the same nervousness and excitement I used to feel before each NFTY event or opening day of camp.  For the first time my nervousness outweighed my excitement. I have been to my fair share of URJ events, some large some small, ranging from biennials and NFTY conventions to small committee meetings at the New York headquarters.  For the first time I am experiencing a URJ event simply as a participant. I am not in charge of creating impact, change or a meaningful experience for anyone but myself, as I select what workshops and sessions I want to attend.

As I approached the registration table I looked down at the vast quantity of ribbons available to tack on to credentials, a small token to show off varying degrees of involvement within the Reform Movement. I started sifting through the mess of ribbons And came across those that applied to me. I couldn’t decide whether to pick and choose, or take all that were applicable. I decided on the latter.  URJ Kutz Camp Alum, HUC-JIR Student, NFTY Alum, URJ Camp Alum- Eisner, and NFTY In Israel Alum all explain monumental milestones in my Jewish journey; however, there is one that I know explains a transformational and substantial experience in very few words: NFTY Board Alumni. I know at this biennial, this ribbon is worn by few, and the few who wear it are proud to do so.

I am moved by the Campaign for Youth Engagement more than I could do justice in words. I want more than anything for all Reform Jews to instill the values in their children that my parents found worthwhile. I believe if every child whose parents identified as Reform Jews got to experience even a week at a Reform Jewish summer camp, the world would be an entirely more beautiful place.  I cannot put a value in what my Day School education did to shape me as a Jew; however, I know that if my experience at Solomon Schechter was so incredible, a Reform Jewish High School would have been so beyond words. The University of Delaware provided me with a rich environment to become involved in many student organizations, some Jewish others  not.  Similar to every other phase of my life, most of my friends were Jewish, but they were different. My college friends were so far separated from their Judaism. Rosh Hashanah was nothing more than an excused absence from class and Yom Kippur was a day to go home and eat bagels.   The Jewish friends I made who are so utterly disconnected from their Judaism along with my already strong foundation solidified my plan to pursue not only my career but to further my learning. HUC-JIR’s Certificate in Education Specializing in Adolescents and Emerging Adults program has provided me with a forum and incredible network of people who are just as compassionate about the holy work of being a Jewish professional as I am.   As a Jewish youth worker, I believe firmly that every congregation should see the value and potential in having a full–time youth professional. Above all else, I am moved by the campaign because I fear the day is all too close where there will be no high-school senior interested in running for NFTY RCVP.

My days of “fame” as a teenage youth leader in the Reform Movement are now years in the past; however, I am more motivated than ever to provide the foundation for the youth of our movement to pursue their Jewish future. There will always be one too many extra curricular activities, and I am forever grateful that fifteen year old me decided I could cut out one of my varsity sports to fulfill the responsibility of youth group President. I only wish more teens would make the same decision. As a NFTY Board alumnus I am privileged to be a member of a distinguished group of individuals, each of whom during their monumental teenage years made the decision to choose youth group over something else. Our youth groups, camps, day and religious schools are worth the battle that our leaders have embarked us on. The road will not be short and free of bumps, but the day when we are touching the lives of all Reform Jewish youth is just on the other side. I am here today as a full- time youth professional, a proud senior staff member of a URJ summer camp and a NFTY board alumnus and I am determined to empower and shape the lives and identities of Jewish teens for many years to come. By 2020 I hope and know it is a real possibility that many teens will aspire to be Jewish leaders. By 2020 I know that instead of our movement continuing on this path of becoming obsolete, we will be able to reach our youth through creative programming and a wealth of opportunities. I know we are capable, and I know we will succeed.  This is my campaign.

Originally posted on the Israel Programs Blog

By Liza Tumen, NFTY-EIE High School in Israel student (Fall 2011)

NFTY-EIE High School in Israel students witness the return of Gilad Shalit to his home in Northern Israel

Before coming to Israel, everyone I spoke to gave the same warning, “Why are you going to Israel now?” or “You chose a very interesting time to go,” (and by interesting, they meant awful). But with two months down, our group has come to quite a different consensus: we chose the best time.

One of the main goals of coming to Israel with NFTY-EIE is to learn Jewish history and culture. 34 other students and I are not only learning about history, but experiencing it being made.

Gilad Shalit was taken captive almost five and a half years ago by Hamas militants. He was held hostage in an unknown location where he never saw the light of day. As time passed, a connection formed between Gilad and the people of Israel. He became everyone’s brother and everyone’s son and we all prayed for his freedom.

Here at NFTY-EIE, the students become a family as well. As we endure many hardships, lending a shoulder for a friend to cry on and laughing at each other’s jokes, a special bond is formed between us.

On October 11 while enjoying each other’s company, the news came on TV: “A deal has been made to free Gilad Shalit.” Our jaws dropped and our eyes opened wide at the sensational broadcast.

For the next week we discussed the news as a whole and became informed on the issue. Finally, a definite date was announced for Gilad to be released and we all shook in our shoes with the realization that we would be in Israel during this momentous time in Jewish history.

But like I said, we had chosen the best time to come, and would soon find ourselves with an even greater experience.

On October 14, we left the comfort of our home at Kibbutz Tzuba and embarked on a 6-day hike from the Kinneret to the Mediteranean, called Yam El Yam (Sea to Sea). The second to last day was one of the hardest and as we finally reached a mountaintop, dripping with sweat, a feeling of accomplishment reigned over us all.

Sitting on the lookout spot, our breath was taken away by the beautiful view: castle ruins, rolling hills, and a small town on the top of a nearby mountain. Coincidentally, this town was Gilad Shalit’s home, and our breath was taken away even more with the news that he was to land in his town, that day at 4:30. We looked down at our watches: 4:25.

Within minutes a distant humming caught our attention and two army helicopters flew in over our heads. The only words I heard from our group were “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe we are actually watching this happen.”

The helicopter lowered and finally landed in Gilad’s hometown. At that moment something came over Israel. Uncountable people flocked to watch as their brother and their son took his first steps back in his homeland. There was a sense of accomplishment, a sense of pride and a sense of togetherness. And we were there. Some of us teared up and some of us smiled, but then and there after five days of working together in the wilderness, our group felt a sense of togetherness as well. The serendipity of the moment was unbelievable.

With front row seats to a historical moment, our group is genuinely getting an Israeli experience. With this moving and unforgettable moment, we are not only learning Jewish history but truly taking part in it. Our four months here have been shaped by real experiences, which at one time would have seemed utterly distant. This event will forever be a focus of our trip to Israel and highlight not only the ongoing learning, but also participation of our history.

This is the fourth in a series of posts by participants in NFTY in Israel’s new Shlichut Noar NFTY program.

NFTY in Israel’s Shlichut Noar NFTY program (Young NFTY Ambassadors) is a unique fellowship that trains participants to be effective communicators and advocates for Israel programming upon returning to North America. During the summer, the shlichim participated in a four-day extension of their NFTY in Israel trip, where they met with Israelis who were shlichim themselves in North America, explored the notion of transformative moments, and took part in hands-on workshops on learning styles, group dynamics, leadership, and program writing skills. Following the summer trip, shlichim have monthly follow up sessions and ongoing learning opportunities to further increase their Jewish identity and connection to Israel. Teens who complete the program will earn certification as a peer Israel educator for NFTY and the URJ, and each teen will have multiple opportunities to share their programs and stories with their NFTY Region, Regional Camp and synagogue.

As we all sat quietly in the van returning to Jerusalem, there was a somber mood in the uncirculated bus air. We had just been ripped apart from the group whom we saw all day, every day for the past month. We tried talking to each other to move past it, but this was not even an option. The damage had been done. We now realized that at this point, the rest of our Israel experience would not be the same.

There was no true indication of where we were going. As far as we knew, we were just going to our hostel to go to bed. To our surprise, the bus stopped suddenly and pulled to the side of the road. We were told to get out of the bus (still teary eyed from an hour earlier mind you) and follow Roey and Beth a short distance up a path. What we saw when we got to the top of a small hill on this path is worth every second that we spend in Israel without the rest of our full groups.

What we saw is hard for me to describe to myself in my own mind, let alone writing it in this post. The best way I can do it is straightforward. Unbeknownst to us, we were actually on the campus of the Hebrew Union College of Jerusalem. What we saw from this vantage point was a sight to see. It was the Old City, a very basic, yet intriguing view of this ancient metropolis. From where we stood, all we could see was the wall, all lit up and standing proud as a symbol of our Jewish heritage and history in this land of Israel.

Just a plain, stone wall from over 4000 years ago may not be that impressive to some people, but to me it symbolizes many things. The most important of these things is the idea that Jews aren’t going down without a fight. As much as people dislike us, try to drive us out of our homeland, and attempt to kill us, the Jews are here to stay. This stone wall stands as a testament to our will to survive adversity and whatever our enemies might throw at us.

Within a few short hours, going from the emotional tragedy of love and loss, to seeing a testament of why we are truly here, it truly brings this experience full circle. As sad as you may be to lose something, you have to understand what other people lost to fight for what you still have, and the walls of the Old City and even Israel are a true example of this simple, yet lifelong fact.