Embracing Transitions, Building for the Future

As I reflect on my term as NFTY President, the past year feels like a time of profound transition - both in terms of leadership and the direction of our Movement. At the teen and adult levels, we've seen new leaders emerge and increase the scope of their roles. We've transitioned from simply valuing young voices to actively seeking them out and including our youth in meaningful ways. Perhaps the most significant transition, however, is moving from what NFTY was to a new vision for what NFTY can be.

Periods of transition can be challenging for any community. As a leader, I often find myself contemplating how easy it would be to simply continue working the way we always have. After a moment of reflection, however, I remind myself that we don't take on these challenges because they're easy. We do them-or at least start them-to pave the way for those who come after us, making things easier for future generations.

Managing these transitions can feel overwhelming, but I'm reminded of a teaching from "Pirkei Avot": "The work is plentiful… It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it" (2:15-16). When I'm faced with a big challenge, I often spend so much time worrying about how to start that I forget the most important step: just starting.

This year, I've embraced the challenge of jumping straight into action. I know that I won't be around long enough to complete all the projects I've begun, but my goal has been to lay a strong foundation for future NFTY leaders to build upon. Throughout my term-both in person and online-I've said "yes" to as many opportunities as possible, forging connections with anyone who is passionate about continuing this work.

When I attended BBYO International Convention, I had the chance to meet people from several organizations aligned with NFTY's mission. I connected with Josh Schalk from Jewish Youth Promise, an organization that helps teens stay engaged with their Jewish identity long after high school. I met Jaimie Krass and Amram Altzman from Keshet, who work to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ Jewish youth; we discussed how to bring these opportunities to NFTY teens and educate the broader community. I also had the pleasure of meeting Marissa Fink from Adamah, who is leading efforts around climate justice and education; we explored how we might integrate their advocacy work into NFTY programming.

Though these partnership conversations are still in their early stages, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of these initial conversations. I believe that they could become key pillars of the NFTY experience moving forward. Alongside these efforts, I've also participated in discussions that could shape the future of NFTY with initiatives that may eventually define the Reform Movement's identity.

Some of these initiatives directly impact our teens. Our soon-to-launch Madrichim Fellowship, in partnership with ARJE, will support teens working in religious schools, helping them develop the skills to become well-rounded leaders. Our partnerships with other youth organizations are showing us that we don't need to work in isolation-we can collaborate for the benefit of all Jewish youth. Even something as seemingly straightforward as restructuring NFTY's North American Board is vital to ensure we continue to evolve.

Other projects, while perhaps not immediately impactful, are focused on creating long-term structural change. As part of the URJ Gathering Task Force, I've had the privilege of representing NFTY and advocating for the continued inclusion of youth voices in broader conversations. I've also brainstormed new ways to engage NFTY alumni, highlighting their incredible stories and keeping them connected with the Movement.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and mentorship of the many adults I've had the privilege of working with. Julie Marsh, Lauren Stock, Logan Gerber, Rabbi Esther Lederman, Dori Singer Zoot, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Shelley Nicely Groff, and so many others have challenged me to think critically about the ideas I've shared. They've helped me find my voice and, when necessary, encouraged me to slow down and consider all angles before jumping into action.

My board-Zoe Babione, Mali Cooper, Shayna Levy, Frogby Sachs, and Mads Barenboim-has been nothing short of remarkable. They've taken charge of countless projects, offered invaluable insights, and been as eager as I was to tackle problems and initiate projects, even if they couldn't see them all the way through. Their dedication and collaboration have been key to everything we've accomplished.

Now, as I prepare to step away, I'm excited to see how the projects we've started evolve. I firmly believe that we've laid the groundwork for a new era of teen engagement in NFTY, one where all teens involved in youth programming will consider themselves NFTY-ites. With the continued support and guidance of our adult partners, I'm confident that we are poised to offer even more incredible opportunities to Jewish youth in the years ahead.

I know this won't be the last chapter of my journey within this Movement. NFTY is where I found my home, and I'm certain that I'll remain connected in one way or another. In the meantime, I trust that the next generation of NFTY leaders will nurture the seeds we've planted, continue to innovate, and trust that those who come after them will help those seeds grow, just as I and my team have done.