The following is a speech former NFTY President Forrest Yesnes gave to the Women of Reform Judaism as the 2011 Union for Reform Judaism Biennial at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington, DC.

By Forrest Yesnes, NFTY President

Thank you. My name is Forrest Yesnes and I’m this year’s NFTY President. I am a freshman at the University of Minnesota and my family has belonged to Temple Israel in Minneapolis since 1964. In 3 unbelievably short years I have transformed from an awkward, boring high school sophomore with few goals and not a lot tying me down to a confident, driven, passionate, inspired young man with a much stronger idea of who he is and what he wants to do with his life. And I have NFTY to thank for everything.

NFTY… for some, it’s just an outlet from school, a chance to be someone else for a few weekends at a time and escape the everyday stresses of life back home. Others attend kallot to see friends from camp again, to reminisce about the last summer and express excitement about the coming one. Some NFTYites have siblings who laid the groundwork for them to be involved, others create their own identity as they go. Some label NFTY their only connection to Judaism, others say it’s one of many. For everyone, though, NFTY is a second home, a place where they can come with opinions, leave with more open minds, expand their horizons when it comes to working towards tikkun olam. NFTY engages teens in youth-written programming, relevant study, and t’filah that, before NFTY, was never considered, like services where we text our opinions and feelings about prayers or dress up in costumes or share pictures from our trips to Israel. For developing and sometimes confused adolescents, this speaks to us.

There is another classification of NFTYite, however: the one who cannot get enough. This girl or boy could never imagine missing a kallah or a Temple Youth Group event; he would be the first one to sign up; she would be the last one on the bus when they head home. These are the leaders of our movement… and not just NFTY, but the entire Union. These are the young people who want to be sitting in your seats in 20 or 30 years, the young people who can’t wait to graduate from an undergraduate program so they can enroll in HUC to be the clergy members that they have looked up to for so long. These are the ones who are here with us in Washington DC this week as a part of the NFTY Leadership Assembly.

And not one of the over 200 NFTYites in DC this weekend are required to be here. They are not forced to be in NFTY, no one is required to attend NFTY events or participate in NFTY functions. These teens, the hundreds, thousands involved, go out and make a difference in the community or in the lives of others because they want to. Each of them is here because they want to be. Teens engaged in camp and NFTY choose their own level of involvement. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s unbelievably phenomenal how these teens volunteer their time to perpetuate their own Jewish journeys forward in the direction they please.

And their passion is not wasted this year. The NFTY board, me and my four colleagues (who, by the way, you will regret not meeting if you walk away from this event without having done so) are not taking these NFTYites’ dedication for granted. We are all working on projects… initiatives we have put together. Liza, our Programming Vice President, and I, with the help of NFTYites from every corner of our reaches, are putting together a NFTY book. A perfect outlet for NFTY’s Study Theme this year, “Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li, If I Am Not For Myself, Who Will Be For Me: NFTY Studies the Power of Personal Expression”, and knowing that the emotional ties to NFTY make it difficult for our participants to explain and define its importance, we’re hoping this NFTY book will show adults and future NFTYites alike what it means to live and die N-F-T-Y.

Avra, our Social Action Vice President, has been inspiring her network of regional counterparts to teach about this year’s NFTY Action Theme: “Mishpacha: Family, How Does NFTY Fit Into Our Greater Community? NFTY Addresses Human Divides.” Looking at the segregation of minorities like those who are disabled, gay, poverty-stricken and more, NFTYites do their best to knock down the walls responsible for these human divides. We all look forward to the inaugural NFTY Mitzvah Day where Temple Youth Groups across North America will engage in meaningful service learning projects related to the Action Theme.

Austin, our Religious and Cultural Vice President, and Taylor, our Membership and Communications Vice President, are both collaborating with URJ staff to make NFTY more edgy and green… Austin is striving to make creating services more user-friendly by instigating an online program for writing t’filah. And Taylor is transitioning NFTY publications to an online magazine for easier access and less paper usage. Together, the five of us gather the strength to pursue our goals and ambitions to make NFTY that much more enjoyable to its members. But we wouldn’t have been able to this without the WRJ.

The initial support in establishing NFTY, and the continued support of NFTY from the WRJ is changing the lives of these kids, opening up options and possibilities that would be impossible without you all. It is no secret that the WRJ’s focus is on the youth, and that NFTY has so much to thank you for. For one, thank you for your phenomenal donation to the Campaign for Youth Engagement for $90,000 dollars. No words can describe the recognition you deserve. Also thank you for your support of the URJ Kutz Camp through YES grants. NFTY’s Summer Home has been crucial in the development of many of these teens at our Biennial and across the country. A congratulations is in order as well. With your impending Centennial celebration in 2013, you can bet NFTY will be there to celebrate with you all just like you were there to wish us a happy 70th a few years ago.

I would be remiss if I didn’t personally thank the WRJ wholeheartedly. Every part of who I am today is because of NFTY, any successes that I will have down the road will be, too. The same is true for NFTYites across the United States and Canada, and we would not have encountered NFTY without the Women of Reform Judaism.

Peseekta de Rav Kahana said “Of all the tzadikim, the righteous ones, the most beloved are the joyful and sincere teachers of the youth, who shall sit at my right hand.” Everyone sitting here are the tzadikim, the righteous ones, so let’s join our hands together and continue this partnership together. Thank you.

Going into the event, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect other than what I had read on the schedule. I knew important people would be speaking, I had to dress professionally and that this Phoenix girl was in for a big change of climate. I was anxious to hear the President of the United States speak. I was ready to see old friends from all across the country, as well as make new ones. As I boarded my plane on Wednesday night to leave for Washington D.C., however, I hadn’t a clue as to what life changing journey I was embarking on.

As my plane made its decent into Reagan National Airport, I felt something inside of me light up. I have always found the Jewish community to be an open and welcoming place where I have found a home for myself. All weekend I was surrounded by 6,000 people who shared a common love for Judaism and the URJ with me. I got to belt out the NFTY cheer at the top of my lungs with over 200 diehard NFTYites who were just as passionate and dedicated as I am and eager to show the URJ that they can safely place the future of the movement in our hands. Although I was in a place I had never been before, I felt as though I was exactly where I needed to be.

This home I have found in Judaism has shaped me to be the person I am today. It has instilled important morals and values in me, supplied me with a plethora of experiences, taken me to places all across the country and given me the friendships of a life time. While at the URJ Biennial I was reminded of all of this, and how truly blessed I am to be a part of such an extraordinary movement.  Although my time in NFTY is almost up, I know that I will always have a home in the URJ as I continue on my Jewish journey in life.

By Jenny Swift, member of NFTY-SW and the youth group  TSTY (Temple Solel Temple Youth). She was very excited to make it off the waiting list and into Biennial!

This December, I got a chance to go to the NFTY Leadership Assembly at the URJ Biennial. One thing that I learned really stuck with me. By confirmation, 10^th grade, 65% of a B’nai Mitzvah class is no longer affiliated. By senior year, another 15% become unaffiliated. By the time children go off to college, only 20% keep their ties to Judaism and to their congregation.

I realized that the 215 teens from across North America who were at Biennial were the 20%. I also realized that for many of these high school teens, NFTY was their main connection to their Judaism. All of the people there were just like me, and despite there only being two other SWites, I met other kids from all over the US and Canada whom I could talk to and feel comfortable with. I discovered that no matter how different the regions are, or how far apart people live, there is an instant connection with another NFTYite. And on Friday, when we had the honor of hearing President Obama speak, within the first two minutes, he gave a shout out to NFTY. We went wild and cheered loud enough for the whole room of over 5000 people to hear. Being called out by name by the President of the United States was an indescribable feeling. Throughout my short time in NFTY, I’ve discovered that NFTY is full of indescribable and wonderful moments.

By Michael Sobin, NFTY Northern President

Boarding the plane from Chicago to Washington D.C., I knew that I wasn’t going to any ordinary NFTY event.  Sure, I had been to Mechinah and Convention earlier this year with hundreds of fellow board members and NFTYites from across the country, but this seemed different.  The headlines were astounding: the world’s largest gathering of Reform Jews ever, the last event of URJ President Eric Yoffie, and an address by the President of the United States.  But even more exciting was the Biennial agenda, which focused significantly on youth.  Each time we NFTYites entered the main hall 6,000 Biennial attendees stood up and applauded us like we were rock stars.  They also took part in our spirited singing during song sessions, encouraging us to join them in dances they used to do in their youth. An even stronger message came later from President Obama himself, during a rousing shout-out to NFTY by saying, “Young people are going to lead the way, and they ARE leading the way.”  It truly fits with Rabbi Yoffie’s and incoming URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs’ youth engagement initiative.  When we were first greeted, Rabbi Yoffie told us “You (NFTYites) are the leaders of this movement.”   The remainder of the event, I noticed that people who had once said “NFTY is the future of Reform Judaism” begin to understand Rabbi Yoffie’s words, and instead of leading us, followed us.  It made me incredibly proud to be a leader in this movement.

The rest of the NFTY Leaders Assembly was unbelievable.  There was fabulous programming from the North American Board on personal expression, leading possibly to the first book on NFTY, by NFTY, for NFTY.  We were taken on a tour of the capital, where I personally witnessed for the very first time monuments that I had only seen on TV.  I watched David Broza and Craig Taubman live, singing songs I knew from OSRUI with 215 other NFTYites.  Chills ran up my spine as the President asked if “NFTY was in the house” and was greeted by our enthusiastic cheers.  I met so many fantastic people from all 19 regions of NFTY, reconnected with old friends, and had one of the most memorable experiences in my entire life.  But what I will truly take away from this event are those initial words from Rabbi Yoffie: “The youth are the CURRENT leaders of this movement.”  I can say that those nine words will come to shape NFTY, the URJ, and all of Judaism in the decades to come.

I cannot wait to see the day when one of those 220 teens who attended the NFTY Leadership Assembly stands in front of a crowd at the 92^nd URJ Biennial as the President of the United States and re-echoes the words President Obama spoke this past weekend: “Young people are leading the way!”

NFTY-NE December Institute Says Happy Channukah!

Just over two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending and participating in URJ Biennial.

Throughout that weekend, NFTY created our own campaign that was displayed on our event t-shirts; submitted entries for the NFTY book in line with the study theme of personal expression; learned about the Campaign for Youth Engagement; and – of course – heard President Obama speak. He even mentioned NFTY twice! I even had the opportunity to shake his hand! Directly preceding his speech, we celebrated the Religious Action Center’s 50th anniversary, during which I spoke alongside Rabbi David Saperstein, Mark Pelavin, Jennifer Kaufman, Rabbi Al Vorspan, Wendy Wallach-Delucia, Rabbi David Stern, Allison Grossman, and Julie Silver, each of us sharing our perspectives on how the RAC makes a difference.

All throughout Biennial, I thought to myself: “This is what it’s all about.”

And then last week, I traveled to NFTY Northeast’s December Institute at URJ Eisner Camp, where I once again found myself thinking: “This is what it’s all about.”

During the course of five days I had the utmost pleasure of being immersed into the NE community—a true kehillah k’doshah. The event’s theme was “mistakes,” and the programming covered all aspects: the difference between accidents and mistakes; the importance of perspective; taking responsibility for our mistakes; the Jewish perspective of how to make decisions in difficult situations; the power of the positive; and understanding the power in a word, examining the social action aspects of choices we make on a day-to-day basis. We also learned about decision-making in the Torah, led by our outstanding faculty of TYG advisors; understood NFTY and NE terms through the lens of Nemo, the mascot, through skits from “Finding Nemo”; and made the best of friends during hofesh (free time) and the talent show.

Since it is difficult to encompass the richness of this event, I’d like to highlight some of the most meaningful moments…

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

• One of the most unique parts of this event for me was getting to know the region’s leadership structure. Before each Institute, the overalls, officers, and PCs meet at camp a day before the event to go over programs, materials needed, and the general schedule of the event. Overalls are the 5 or 6 seniors chosen for each institute to help the officers write and execute the programming; the 10 PCs – short for ‘prayer coordinators’ – work with the RCVP to plan all of the services throughout the event. Part of the behind the scenes work includes making up program packs for each program’s group leaders so all the materials are already split up and ready to go. I saw for myself, in being a group leader for most programs, how the beforehand meetings culminated into running such a seamless event.

• As many of you know, NFTY-NE has a nominations process as opposed to a direct election. Basically, during the nominations process, the regional board and the advisor create a team of ten individuals to be next year’s officers. The process is lengthy and goes through many stages: examining characteristics desirable for a leader; considering each and every junior, since all officers are seniors; and making sure there is a geographical and gender balance among those chosen. Once that year’s officers compile a slate of ten individuals, the candidates are notified and asked if they would like the position. If one of those people decide they would not like the position, the board considers the team in choosing a replacement. When the slate is released to the region, any junior can challenge the slate and run for a position. Then, the region considers all candidates – slated and those that challenge – and elect NE’s regional board at Spring Conclavette, and installed at their Senior Kallah where the torch is then passed from the seniors to the juniors—quite a #generationalleadership moment!

• NFTY-NE was happy to welcome Beth Avner, NFTY’s Director of Education and Special Projects, as a visitor at December Institute. Part of Beth’s visit consisted of starting conversations about the nominations process, in seeing how it affects candidates, the region, and all of NFTY. As a result of starting the conversation, for the first time in Northeast’s history, the juniors who attended Insty compiled a list of characteristics of leaders in a meeting ran by NE regional board alumni. Yet another moment of #generationalleadership! Having the juniors help to compile the list of traits the board will look at in deciding next year’s leaders ensured their participation in having their peers assume those leadership roles.

• Understanding the nominations process helps me realize how important it is to recognize and respect that each region has its own traditions and traits that, together, make all nineteen into the NFTY we know and love.

T’FILAH—ONE JEWISH COMMUNITY

• At Institute, each of the 10 PCs write and lead a service, meaning we pray twice each day. This aspect of a NFTY was new to me personally; in doing so, I could sense how much more meaningful the programming and even being together as one Jewish community seemed. Throughout Institute, we sang our favorite prayer melodies and listened to significant readings. I will never forget how we were asked to take off our watches in order to live in the moment. Nor will I forget how we were blindfolded and felt lost, accentuating what it means to be transient, be lost, to lose, be found, or to find. I will always remember how incredible it was to visually see our glowsticks, symbolizing our own sparks, in addition to the candles we lit in memory of various demographics in need, gradually fill the space with a light that I know will never go out, as the words of “Firework” echoed in our ears.

• Each night of Institute, the region gathered for siyuum, where we sang the bedtime shema, along with songs like “Song for the Divine Mother of the Universe” and “Lord Prepare Me.” Intermittently, we had the chance to reflect on the day through reading aloud mitzvah notes, recounting all the mitzvot our friends performed. The energy flowing throughout the room every night reminded me of how powerful it is to be a part of any NFTY community. Knowing that regions all over North America sing the same songs and feel the same emotions by experiencing them in a brand new region with people whom I had only known for five days—that was remarkable.

CONNECTIONS

• Part of the magic of NFTY is coming to an event knowing about 15 people, and leaving the event with 150 new friends, as I did during this experience. Getting to know people on a personal level was definitely one of my favorite parts of this event, from living with three junior girls to leading conversations in programs that led to pertinent applications of Judaism to our every day lives. I really felt like I rediscovered that magic, as the awkward introductions of name, TYG, and a silly fact, turned into hugs of see you later over the course of just those five days.

• The new friendships created are just as meaningful to me as reuniting with old friends, like seeing the NE regional board all together for the first time since Mechina. Roey Schiff, NFTY’s shaliach, also visited NE and gave a shpiel about URJ Israel programs. There were several URJ Kutz Camp alumni I got to see. There were a few NE board alumni with whom it was great to catch up, especially someone I went on the SAVP trip with two years ago. I even ran into a former URJ Camp Coleman counselor who is now a NE TYG advisor!

The reflections I shared above are only some of the fantastic memories created at URJ Eisner Camp with NFTY-NE. I would like to sincerely thank everyone at NE that welcomed me; I look forward to our friendships blossoming. Thank you especially to Rachel Mersky Woda, Brett Lubarsky, and the board—keep working to foster NE as an extraordinary community. As we move in to this new year, and head back to work and school after the holidays, let us keep in mind the importance of the event’s theme: mistakes. Living with them, taking responsibility, and learning from them. But make no mistake…it was hardly a mistake that I attended Insty and remembered: “This is what it’s all about.”

To see pictures from the event, Click Here!

Avra Bossov is the NFTY North American Social Action Vice President  and a freshman at George Washington University.  You can follow her  on Facebook and Twitter.

By Elizabeth Snellings, NFTY-NO

For the longest time, I could never really say that I witnessed anything that was utterly extraordinary or breathtaking. While I am easily entertained and fascinated, it takes a lot to bring me to a state of complete awe and wonder. I thought that by attending the URJ Biennial, I would only receive a nice experience to learn new things, and maybe even make new friends. I gained, however, much more from those four days than I ever would have imagined.

Everything first began when my plane was descending into D.C. I, unlike my peers, had never been to the nation’s capital before. Being a history nerd, I was enamored. Arriving at the Gaylord Convention center was overwhelming. I live in a tiny town 20 minutes outside of Madison in Wisconsin. The population is only about 5,000, and there’ is only about 930 students at my school. When I found out that Biennial would have over 6,000 attendees and 200 of those would be NFTYites, I was terrified.

I had been traveling with a few other friends from my region (NFTY-Northern).  They had attended Kutz Camp the previous summer, Midwest Mash up, NFTY Convention, and other NFTY North American events where they were afforded opportunities to make connections across the country and beyond. I, on the other hand, had only been to two other NFTY events, NFTY-NO Summer and Fall Kallah of this year. I was excited to meet some new people (and listen to OBAMA, OF COURSE), but at the same time, I was nervous out of my mind. After registration and a few other programs, the day ended and we had to go to bed. And the next day, we were going to listen to Obama. My mind was racing, but luckily I was able to sleep a bit.

The next day went from being slightly crazy, to a bit more crazy, to OH MYLANTA WE’RE SEEING THE PRESIDENT , all in a matter of hours. The convention center was being locked down for not only the arrival of the U.S. president, but the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, as well. Being in this atmosphere was exhilarating. The entire day I kept thinking to myself, “I’m really here. I’m not dreaming.” When it was time for us to go through security, I felt extremely intimidated. Everyone in the group was shoved and crowded together, scrambling to get through security and get a good view in the convention center. After being smushed a little too close next to many a stranger, I scurried my way into the crowd, searching for fellow NFTYites. When I entered, my jaw nearly dropped to the ground. I glanced around the room, and literally wall-to-wall, was the largest collection of people I had ever seen in one place. 6,000 people in one room had never surrounded me at the same time; my head was spinning. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that all of these people had a connection to me through Judaism. It was surreal. When I was finally able to sit down, my legs were twitching with anxiety and excitement. People were taking pictures, hugging, and anticipating the arrival of President Obama. After several speakers including Rabbi Eric Yoffie and an interesting performance from Josh Nelson, the moment we had all been waiting for had arrived. Obama emerged from the depths of Secret Service cover and entered the stage. My heart was pounding. Here I was, simple Lizzie Snellings, standing in the same room as President Obama at the same time, witnessing history. I couldn’t believe it. When he acknowledged NFTY being “in the house”, I nearly died! All 200-something NFTYites stood up and cheered wildly for the acknowledgement received from the President of the United States. And after seeing our reaction, Obama’s face lit up. That was truly the most wonderful part of his entire speech. It was outstanding.

Ever since I watched Obama’s inaugural speech on t.v. in the middle of my 7th grade history class, I was enamored by the manner in which he spoke. The way he so gracefully yet powerfully addressed every audience member he was speaking to was enthralling. I remember thinking back to that moment in my 7th grade class as I listened to Obama speak for the second time, but not through a television broadcast: through a live encounter. Even to this day, I will relive and reminisce in the feelings I experienced by simply listening to his words of wisdom, courage, and strength for all that is good and just.

Of course, listening to Obama live in person and acknowledge strength of the URJ and NFTY was incredible. However, there was another program I specifically remembered that took place in the beginning of that same day.  Together, all NFTY teens were compiling and creating writings, poetry, doodles, playlists, and anything else in between, together, in order to form a book. Something that really stuck with me was a member of the North American Board explaining to us, “this is OUR book.” It was something that truly made me remember that I was a part of a community. That I, an awkward and nervous overachieving sophomore from a small farming village in Wisconsin, was connected to hundreds of teens across the continent. I felt like I really had a place to go to in time of hurt, happiness, exhaustion, or anything else.  Finally, I felt as though I had found where I truly belonged, after so many tiring experiences of searching throughout my life. Attending Biennial made me truly believe that for the first time, I can make a difference in the world. It made me believe that people have the ability to change the world if they put their mindset and hearts to their goals. I will never forget my Biennial experience, I will never forget the butterflies in my tummy from reminiscing in the memories, and I will never forget nor underestimate my abilities to succeed and help in this world.

“Finally, I want to give a shout-out to… NFTY, I understand, is in the house.”
-Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America

After having the unbelievable privilege of meeting and speaking with President Obama about 30 minutes before he spoke to the URJ Biennial participants, I had a feeling he was going to say something about NFTY. But even having that slight feeling didn’t prepare me for that shout-out to us. The second our four favorite letters came out of his mouth, goosebumps erupted over my entire body and tears welled up in my eyes. NFTY, what was once just something I went to on the occasional weekend…

NFTY, what some people consider just another youth group…

NFTY, what I once thought of as just a bunch of Jewish kids getting together for a little spirituality from time to time…

was now so huge and important that the President of the United States mentions us twice in a speech to over 5,000 Reform Jews.

And boy did the President have it right: NFTY was in the house during the URJ Biennial. There were over 200 of us, making us the largest number of NFTYites at a Biennial in ten years. It was enough to require more pens, more paper, and more hotel rooms than we could ever have imagined. Oh, we were in the house alright.

Forrest greeting Rabbi Eric Yoffie as he prepared to adddress the NFTY Leaders Assembly at Biennial

As with any NFTY event, there were friendships kindled and rekindled when NFTYites arrived on Thursday afternoon. The energy was ever-present. Right off the bat, Subie Banaszynski, Interim NFTY Director, and I introduced Rabbi Eric Yoffie, outgoing president of the Union for Reform Judaism. A NFTY Board alumni himself, and a participant during the very fist summer at Kutz in 1965, Rabbi Yoffie welcomed us and urged us to take in and take home as much as we could over the course of the weekend. And those days flew by. In the blink of an eye, NFTYites from every corner of our reaches were deeply engaged in programming on both the NFTY and URJ sides of the event. I had an absolute blast and want to share a few highlights:

• NFTY took up more than 200 seats during the record-breakingly-huge Shabbat t’filah and dinner on Friday night… history in the making!

• NFTY Programming Vice President Liza Moskowitz and I hit the ground running with our new project related to this year’s Study Theme. We’re heading up a book made by NFTYites for NFTYites about being a Reform Jewish teenager, and the participants of the NFTY Leaders Assembly were lucky enough to be the first batch of teens whose work will directly contribute to the book’s creation. Stay tuned to find out how you can be a part of this, too!

• A chaotic organization of all of us on the staircases and a spur-of-the-moment decision to lead the NFTY cheer in front of passing adults (and hotel security) is a moment forever frozen in my mind!

• NFTY Social Action Vice President Avra Bossov’s devotion to the year’s Action Theme shined during our time out in DC, where we identified various human divides related to the monuments while touring. Spending some time in Georgetown for lunch and perusing museums was fun, too!

• Before President Obama arrived, NFTYites entering the ballroom received a standing ovation from the adults and proved, firsthand, the respect that the adults have for our youth movement. Also expressing total support of the Reform movement’s youth, the URJ its incoming president Rabbi Rick Jacobs accepted the Campaign for Youth Engagement as their number one priority for the coming years. All of us are so thrilled to have NFTY as a part of this monumental time in the URJ’s history.

• Meeting our new Director of Youth Engagement, Rabbi Bradley Solmsen, who comes to the URJ with a passion for youth and a zest for Jewish life. NFTY is proud to welcome him back home to the URJ, and we look forward to his new role, and his partnership with the youth of our Movement, those in NFTY, and those who choose other ways to meaningfully engage in Reform Jewish life.

At NFTY Convention in Dallas this past February, Rabbi Yoffie reminded us, or perhaps taught us, that being a Reform Jew is not about sitting there and letting life pass us by. Jews have never just let something happen. Whenever injustice or tragedy has plagued a nation or a people, or when there is a need that we can provide, Jews have stood up. NFTY specifically has taken action when we’ve felt it necessary; projects like NFTY Supports Haiti Relief, Nothing But Nets, The Million Quarter Project, and the NFTY-Katrina Challenge have shaped some of NFTY’s proudest moments. Inspired by Rabbi Yoffie’s message from Convention, Avra, along with NFTY Religious and Cultural Vice President Austin Zoot and Membership and Communications Vice Prosident Taylor Lyles put together a program about taking a stand for issues that ignite our passion for justice. Participants opened their eyes to times and topics of action in Jewish and NFTY history and, in the end, proudly exclaimed what they stood for. It was truly an epic moment.

If we can fire up President Obama, we can fire up anyone. Liza, Avra, Austin, Taylor and I know we can. We know you can do anything: fundraise an unheard of amount for your Temple Youth Group, demand that the adults listen to you and your perspectives and the perspectives of your peers who weren’t or aren’t yet engaged in Reform Jewish adolescence, fire up your younger siblings and the future NTTYites to take your place in your youth groups or camp, write or adapt a kick-butt program that will teach or rock the world of your region.

Time in NFTY is short. Even someone who starts at the very beginning and sticks with it to the end only gets four years. Don’t let those years go by without making an impact on someone or something or some place. Don’t you dare let that time slip through your fingers. Go out and take advantage of your NFTY life… grab it by the horns. Don’t you dare sit and wait for your NFTY life to come to you. You aren’t passive. There is no such thing as a passive NFTYite. I’m here to make sure that you reach your personal best while you’re in NFTY… make the most of each and every opportunity available to you while in NFTY… repair as much of the world as you can while you’re in NFTY… change someone’s mind and expand your horizon as many times as you can while you’re in NFTY. While my four fellow board members and I are still in NFTY, we will make absolutely sure that you have access and the ability to do everything you set your mind to.

This is my campaign.

Forrest Yesnes is the NFTY North American President, and a Freshman at the University of Minnesota. He can be found on twitter at @NFTYPresident and on Facebook at nfty.org/NFTYPresident

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.