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.

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.

NFTY has long been a catalyst for teen leadership and social change. Two remarkable teens, Maccabee Anderson and Lucy Targum, embody the innovative spirit and commitment to being the change they wish to see in the Jewish world and beyond.

At The Collab, these teens met new people, learned about social justice issues, and shared their traditions with one another.

Over the past months, the URJ Teen Israel Organizing Immersive has been a haven for Jewish teens.

NFTY's Teen Jews of Color Fellowship is a nine-month program that offers leadership development, value building, and deep communal connection by and for Jews of Color. All of these are especially crucial in these challenging times.

This July, URJ 6 Points Sports Academy commemorated its fifteenth summer by inducting six dedicated individuals into its Hall of Fame. These exceptional lay leaders, faculty, staff, and supporters have played a vital role in shaping the camp into a premier Jewish sports institution in North America.

"Stop being nostalgic for the past and start helping to build what is already happening, because it's happening, with or without you. And we want you with us."

While camp is an oasis away from everyday life, it still exists in a world that has much work to do around harm prevention, particularly for Campers of Color, gender-diverse campers, campers with a variety of body sizes, and campers with disabilities.