Over 80 phone calls, more than 30 Zoom-Video conference calls, in-person meetings, texts, visioning, and even a little daydreaming is about to bring together 170 teens and adults for NFTY-SAR Winter Kallah at Temple Emanu-El (and that’s just the time from our teens, not the rest of the region!).
These teens are powerful, organized, smart, and courageous. These are the future leaders of our nation’s synagogues, future lay-leaders, board members, Temple presidents, community activists, and maybe even clergy. These are teens that will look back at their adolescence and note that their synagogue had a meaningful impact on their formative years.
With direct mentorship from their rabbis (a unique feature of TE), the chance to learn from the leadership of the teen-led regional board, and incredible support from the NFTY-SAR professional regional staff, our teens have helped to build a weekend-long conference from the ground up. At its core, NFTY is a youth-powered organization that allows teens to grow into their unique selves, develop organizational and relational skills, and deepen their Jewish identities as leaders in our synagogue and the wider Jewish community. These teens are empowered, enthusiastic, and most importantly, mensches.
Temple Emanu-El should be so very proud of the work of its teen leaders. Our doors are always open to teens who would like to increase their involvement.
This weekend would not have been possible without the support of our adult volunteers who have opened their homes to host these teens and are giving their time to help serve food throughout the weekend. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
We invite you to join us this Friday night as the teen song leaders share their ruach and musical talents with our community, leading us in prayer. This will be an engaging, high-energy service, that will lift your spirit and your voice in song.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rachael
