Michelle Shapiro Abraham, MAJE, RJE (she/her), is the Union for Reform Judaism’s executive director of strategic innovation and program for camps, youth & immersives. A longtime Jewish educator, author, and speaker, she holds a master’s degree in Jewish education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Michelle is a recipient of the 2015 Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and an active member of Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, NJ, where her husband, Joel Abraham, serves as the rabbi.
A few weeks ago, I had the joy of being at the "NFTY-GER Ball," one of the many NFTY events being run by Reform teen leaders across North America. A room full of teens gathered at Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, NJ to dance, laugh, get to know one another, and celebrate Jewish life.
Change in the middle of a global crisis is simultaneously invigorating and exhausting. NFTY has more than an 80-year history of change, and as of late, the reality of COVID-19 has sped up our change process.
Now more than ever, our world needs strong leaders. And now, more than ever, our teens – who are looking for purpose and direction – need support to become the leaders they want to be.
For NFTY teen leaders and staff, this summer has been all about brainstorming, strategizing, and planning for the future of NFTY. We are thrilled to announce the launch of NFTYx, a space where teens can turn their ideas into experiences for others.