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.

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.

While nothing can replace the feeling of being together in person, the URJ is pleased to introduce several exciting opportunities to connect families to Jewish life in a new way this summer – to all those who seek Jewish meaning, purpose, and joy in their homes.

While nothing can replace the feeling of being together at camp, the URJ is committed to offering a virtual camp experience this summer to ensure that the ties that bind campers to one another and to their summer home remain as strong as ever. 

While evaluating my role in handling the situation, I found that the leadership skills I acquired over the years in different organizations and settings served me well in dealing with COVID-19. Most of these skills were learned as a camp counselor.

The uncertainty we’re dealing with each day has us concerned about our ability to even make camp happen. We’re determined, we’re dynamic, and we’re clever – but if we’re being completely honest, we just really don’t know yet.

The themes of searching, accepting, believing, and more are just a few of the concepts from the holidays (and that teens are often wrestling with in their lives) that are present in our texts during the hagim. How can we use these themes to deepen experiences for our teens during the High Holy Days as well as throughout the rest of the year?

Expanding our family education program wasn’t our original plan. However, we realized that we were only emphasizing family involvement in the lead up to B’nai Mitzvah, so we decided to seek long-term impact by expanding and aligning our program with the needs of our families.  

When it comes to teaching our youth about Israel, how do we foster both a deep love and a nuanced understanding of the issues at the same time? How and when do we teach a view of Israel to our children that embraces her beauty and history, her challenges and shortcomings? How do we equip our youth to learn, to enquire, and to develop their own informed understanding of her complexities? How do we teach the full story while fostering a love for our homeland?