Looking to make more friends, have fun and explore your Jewish identity? If you are a Jewish teen in grades 9-12, register for NFTY-NO Winter Kallah. The event is one weekend long, from Friday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, Jan. 6.
No need to travel far. The event is local and hosted by Temple Beth El in Madison, Wisconsin.
NFTY is a Reform Judaism “teen-powered youth movement,” said Regional Teen Engagement Director Max Hendrix.
The weekend starts with a Shabbat service on Friday. Socialize with Jewish teens from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Canada and Illinois.
NFTY Kallah is a “distinctly Jewish space,” one that is “always joyous,” Hendrix said.
The “Big Fun” event is on Saturday night. In the past, a few of the events have been a dance party, a trip to a water park or a hockey game, Hendrix said.
There will also be down time. “Let teens be teens; time to be creative and explore who they are,” Hendrix said.
Participants will stay overnight with a host family from Temple Beth El.
The weekend is “very quick; try to jam as much fun and community building as we can,” Hendrix said.
Attendees will discuss a hot-topic, social issue as a group. Last fall, teens explored the topics of gender identity and gender equality. Two years ago, teens talked about racial justice and criminal justice reform.
Hendrix said that this weekend is about personal-growth and empowerment and getting “young Jewish teens looking forward to making a change in the world.”
More information at Northern.Nfty.org or contact Hendrix at MHendrix@urj.org or 952-381-3495.