THE GESH N F T Y C H I C A G O A R E A R E G I O N S P R I N G K A L L A H ' 1 8 TRYING NEW THINGS Hear from NFTYite Lillie Murphy about her experience coming to a NFTY event for the first time. MEET NEW BOARD! Get to know the newly elected members of your 5778-5779 Regional Board! #NEVERAGAIN Reflect on the recent events regarding gun violence prevention and learn how you can take action through NFTY.
What's up in NFTY-CAR? Hey NFTY Chicago! These past couple months have been full of action for our region. We just recently had our 5778-5779 regional elections where we elected our new regional board, ate a lot of Chinese food, and even got some delicious ice cream afterwards! We've also been planning for our Spring event, Kolbo/Spring Kallah (Sprolbo) with NFTY Northern (which will be over by the time you read this- hope you had a great time)! Across NFTY as a whole, many teen leaders are joining together to action for Gun Violence Prevention. During the National Walkout and March For Our Lives, so many NFTYites are sharing their voices and making a difference. The work we are all doing is beyond amazing, and I know we will be heard. -Rachel Schless, 5777-5779 NFTY Chicago CVP Table of Contents NFTY Word Scramble Cover 1)What's up in NFTY-CAR? 2) Scrapbook 3) Word Search 4) Trying New Things 5) Meet New Board! 6) #Neveragain Ighaocc Eaar Gneroi Nalrieog Abodr Pleetm Yhuto Rpugo Zbuz Lafl Laaklh Twerni Akhall Lrbosop Ciofkfk Key: Chicago Area Region, Regional Board, Temple Youth Group, Buzz, Fall Kallah, Winter Kallah, Sprolbo, Kickoff
Ask a NFTYite- Why do YOU love NFTY? NFTY is an amazing environment where I get to meet and develop friendships with other jewish teens from all over the U.S. - Eve Baumgartner Having a Jewish community is really important to me and NFTY CAR is an amazing kehillah to be part of. I love that we can all come together for a weekend and make incredible memories and friendships that will last forever. - Ella Brown I love NFTY, because of the emphasis placed on inclusitivity. - Quentin Kagan I love NFTY because it's a place where I can be myself and make friendships that will last a lifetime. - Brielle Imaña -Jason Tothy, NFTY Chicago Media Team Member
NFTY CAR Word Search -Audrey Moos, NFTY Chicago Media Team Member
Trying New Things Hi! My name is Lillie Murphy and I am a Junior at Barrington High School. There are not many Jewish teens in Barrington. Because of this, I found that if I want to stay involved in my Jewish community I need to do as much as I can! I am currently president of my USY (United Synagogue Youth) chapter and am very involved in many amazing teen programs, including Diller Cohort 5, JCC Seed613, Jewish Teen Alliance of Chicago. One of my close friends is also the president of her temple's youth group chapter, but through a different organization called NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth), which is a reform Jewish youth group. She told me that they were having an event coming up and that I should register. I figured I had nothing to lose and so much to gain, like making amazing friendships and have a really exciting new experience. Another reason why I loved the idea of participating in this event was because it would be from a first-timer's perspective. When I participate in USY conventions, I participate in a leadership role. Recently I have been leading a lot of the programs, never getting the chance to just sit back and participate. I have an outgoing personality so I wasn't too nervous about participating in a brand-new experience. That being said, I have to admit it was a little scary because I had no idea what to expect. The moment I got out of my car, a bunch of kids came over and welcomed me, including two regional board members. They were so sweet! When we got to Wisconsin, I had already met so many people on the bus that I was not afraid at all. Although many people were there with friends they already knew, everyone was happy to include me and no one cared that I was from a different youth group. Not only were the people amazing, but the event itself was eye opening. I found the two different youth group experiences to be both unique and the same. The biggest difference was around conservative services versus reform services at the two conventions. Surprisingly, the structure and most of the programs were very similar. In the end, it was an amazing experience, and I definitely recommend that every Jewish teen consider branching out and trying something new. It's a great way to get involved as much as possible- you may find something new to enjoy or be reminded of the things you appreciate about the community you are already a part of. Being involved in your Jewish community has given me and taught me so much. Throughout this time I have met SO many Jewish teens that I now consider my best friends, and learned more leadership skills than some people learn in a lifetime. From going to a Jewish summer camp to being in different Jewish youth groups or programs, I have found what I love most... my Jewish community. -Lillie Murphy, NFTY Chicago Participant
Key: Paili, Sarah, Rachel, Ella, Amanya, Ethan, Jon Meet New Board- Match the incoming board member with the correct set of answers! Questions What is your favorite color? If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be and why? What is your favorite kind of soup? What is your favorite season, and why? What is the thing you love the most about NFTY? Sarah Cohen Incoming President Yellow I would be a ladle because I don t know, why not?! Matzo ball duh! Summer because freedom is a thing and also OSRUI and also sleeping in. It s a giant community of accepting people who I love unconditionally. My favorite color is rainbow. It is so hard to choose just one as they are all so unique in their own way, so why choose them all. I would be a metal spork. It is usable in almost every situation you can think of and is durable too. This is the most answer Jewish answer someone could give, but I d have to say Matzah Ball Soup. Nothing beats Grammy s homemade matzah ball soup. My favorite season is spring. After a long and harsh winter you finally begin to see the sun again, the days get longer, and the flowers begin to bloom. It is the perfect and most scenic transition season. My favorite part of NFTY is the sense of community it fosters. No where else in my life can random folk song sessions break out or intense sessions of rikkud occur and I believe it creates in depth relationships like no other. Pink!!! I d be a spatula because I like to (try and) make the most out of every situation. Broccoli cheddar and matzo ball are definitely tied in my book. I love the weather in the fall, but summer has to be my favorite season because CAMP!!! NFTY gives me a place to speak and a community that listens. I have never met a group that I love more than this one. My favorite color is red. If I were a kitchen utensil I would be a spoon because they are very functional. I like black bean soup. My favorite season is summer because it stays light late, there is good weather, no school, and camp. My favorite part of NFTY is the amazing kehillah we have here. Amanya Meir Incoming PVP Paili Bachrach Incoming SAVP Ethan Soloveychik Incoming RCVP Ella Brown Incoming MVP Blue Whisk because I like to mix things up! Matzah ball Fall because it's not too hot not too cold and the teva is covered in beautiful colors. Our kehilla kedosha with so many people from so many backgrounds that come together as one. Purple A sponge, because I love to absorb information and love helping others. There is nothing like homade matzo ball soup Winter, because everyone is happy and in the holiday spirit, I love snow, and one of my favorite activities is skiing. Hanging out with your best friends as well as making new friends with other Jewish teens from around the world. Jon Olbur Incoming Treasurer My favorite color is red. If I were a utensil I d be a spork because in my opinion sporks are very useful and helpful. My favorite kind of soup is minestrone or cream of chicken and wild rice. My favorite season is summer because that s the time where I can spend a lot of time outside and with friends and family. The thing I love about NFTY is how much of an open and inclusive community it is. Rachel Schless Incoming? CVP
#NEVERAGAIN Lo Yisa Goy el Goy Cherev. Lo Yil medu Od Milchama. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. A few weeks ago, I was at school, and the power went out just as the passing period bell rang. Now, if this had happened in the middle of class I wouldn t have been so scared, but because it happened right as the bell rang, when everyone was in the hallway, my first instinct was to panic, thinking someone was in the school and we re all being attacked. There was no one in the school. The power came back on. We were fine. But we shouldn t have to feel this type of panic and fear in the first place, Why should I have to be afraid im my own school? The place where I spend majority of my time, the place where we should feel safe? We should not feel safe because of all the security guards, or because of all the doors being locked, but safe because we should know that there are good people in the world and the bad people get the help they need and don t have access to such harmful weapons as guns. Unfortunately this isn t the case. We live in a world full of fear because we live by outdated laws that no longer protect us but now harm us, and people send out their prayers but don t do anything to make a change. To make sure that not another person is harmed because of someone else s right to bear arms. As teens being affected by the continuous fear of school shootings, it s our job to stand up and make a difference. Various stories, facts and speeches have been shared to show the teens stance on gun prevention. Thank you to everyone who has taken an stand and spoke up to represent all of NFTY and teens across the nation, Their bravery in standing up for this movement is inspiring. On March 14th, high school students around the country participated in walkouts to protest for our human right of safety. On March 24th we will March for our lives in DC and in Chicago. This is our time to speak up and use our voice. I am so appreciative of all the NFTY members and staff who ve heard our voices and supported us through this journey. It s time to step up and fight for our lives. - Megan Berger, NFTY Chicago Media Team Member Learn more and take action with NFTY at nfty.org/gvp/act