Related Blog Posts on Israel, teens, and Youth Engagement

A Shabbat Message

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
This week, as Shabbat approaches, we gather in community to pray for the shelter of peace in Israel and at home. 

Strength, Stress, and Support: A Portrait of American Jewish Teen Well-Being

Beth Lipschutz, MSW
Rabbi Isaama Goldstein-Stoll
Rachel Margolis, RJE
How are teens really doing? In the spring of 2024, BeWell, the mental health and wellness initiative of the Jewish Federations of North American (JFNA), in partnership with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (The Network), conducted the first national study of American Jewish teenagers to explore how their communal involvement, interpersonal connections, and perceptions of themselves as Jews relate to their overall wellbeing.

Inspiring Teens to be Tomorrow’s Leaders

Matt Ghan
Over the weekend of January 17-20, over 250 teens from 11 NFTY regions - the largest NFTY event since 2020 - were welcomed to URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA for a weekend of connection, joyful Jewish moments, social action, and fun.

This Year, Will We Turn our Mourning into Dancing?

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
While Psalm 30 promises that God can turn our "mourning into dancing," as we prepare for Simchat Torah this week, this year the tradition of dancing with the Torah scrolls feels like too big of a leap.