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.

On November 5, Americans across the country will head to the polls to ensure their voices are heard and their votes are counted. The 2024 election will be historic for many reasons, but there is one group for whom this election will be particularly special: first-time voters.

As we celebrate the joyous holiday of Sukkot and approach election day, we are reminded of the importance of shelter, community, and social justice. The sukkah, a temporary dwelling, symbolizes our vulnerability and dependence on others. It's a powerful metaphor for the interconnectedness of our society and the impact of our actions on our broader community.

This Independence Day, we a pleased share a speech about voting rights written by Larkin B. and Noah F. from Congregation Emanu El in Houston, Texas.

“I was in NFTY!” a stranger told me, spotting my years-old T-shirt. This feeling of knowing all of us, that we truly did meet at Sinai, or at least a camp, provides comfort during uncomfortable times.

This work is our calling, and it doesn’t pause for a pandemic. Instead, we find creative ways to engage and mobilize our communities at a distance.

Every voice matters, and every vote should, too – but in many places across the U.S., restrictive laws and practices disproportionately keep People of Color from voting. As someone who is too young to vote, I am motivated to ensure that everyone who is eligible to exercise this right does so. 

Civic engagement, with voting at its center, is essential to our Reform Jewish values. Our sacred texts teach us that every voice in the community must be heard when it comes to making important decisions. Here's how to get involved this year. 

My career path wasn't always clear, and certainly not straight, but I recently discovered that I can draw a direct line from my current role (and my entire worldview around gender conditioning and Judaism) to the guiding Jewish values of my upbringing.