Finding My Place at The Collab

The moment I stepped off the plane in Atlanta, nerves filled my stomach. Traveling alone for the first time to The Collab, an event I’d heard so much about and the biggest Reform Jewish event for teens in North America, felt exciting and overwhelming. But after spending four days at a camp in the mountains of Georgia, I knew I had found a place that felt like a second home. This is my story. 

Many of the older teens in my community often raved about The Collab. After hearing their stories, I knew I had to attend as soon as I was old enough.

In early summer 2024, my family and I moved to Portland, Oregon. I quickly connected with NFTY Northwest (NW) regional board members, as there was no way I could give up NFTY after my experiences in NFTY Southern California (SoCal). I soon learned that NFTY NW faced many challenges after COVID-19 and is still recovering. 

In October 2024, I traveled alone for the first time and took a five-hour flight to Atlanta for The Collab. I was really nervous stepping into the unknown, but as soon as I landed, I had a feeling that everything would be okay. Shortly after landing, I met and connected with another NFTYite, Max Hutton. That new friendship calmed my nerves and reminded me why I love the NFTY community so much.

Once we arrived at URJ Camp Coleman in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia, I participated in many activities that helped me cultivate friendships with NFTYites from all over North America and reconnect with friends I had previously made through NFTY SoCal. During mascot Shabbat, many teens wore onesies or blankets representing their NFTY regional mascot. I proudly represented NFTY NW by wearing a blue sweater and blue jeans to symbolize my regional mascot: Gimbel Ruach the Raindrop. I felt right at home. 

These special programs, like mascot Shabbat and The Collab itself, allowed us to express our Jewish identities in fun and creative ways. From singing our hearts out during Shabbat services to bonding over shared rituals and values, I felt deeply connected to both my faith and a larger Reform Jewish community that celebrates inclusion, authenticity, and joy.

Speaking of fun, one of my favorite moments was BIG FUN, a program that happens on the last night of every NFTY event. This time, we had an unforgettable silent disco. There is often a dress-up theme, and we’re encouraged to wear silly or creative outfits. While many teens choose to sing and dance to popular Israeli or American songs, others opt for a quieter night, roasting s'mores by the campfire. During BIG FUN, I truly felt like I was part of something bigger: the future of NFTY and the next generation of teen leaders. 

During programs throughout The Collab, I saw and experienced the amazing things teens from across North America were doing. While there, I strengthened my skills in public speaking, leading meaningful discussions, and program planning, all of which helped me grow as a leader at both local and regional levels. Something shifted for me at The Collab. Instead of thinking of myself as “just a freshman,” I started to imagine what I could build in NFTY NW. 

With the support of teen leaders, regional mentors, and North American Board members, we recently held our first NFTY NW regional event of the year: Spring Shul-In, an overnight experience at one of our congregations. It was a huge success and served as a building block for the future of our region. We are now developing our regional board, planning events, and expanding outreach for the 2025-2026 year. 

After attending my first Collab as a freshman, I know I will be back for every Collab throughout my high school years. If you’re looking for a weekend to make friends, grow your leadership skills, and have a great time, The Collab is a perfect opportunity! Join me and many other NFTYites at The Collab 2025 on November 7-10 at URJ Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas. We can’t wait to see you there!