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NFTY's Thirteen Principles

We, the members of the North American Federation of Temple Youth, the Reform Jewish youth movement of North America, in order to secure and perpetuate a strong, meaningful and enjoyable Reform Jewish youth experience based on the principles of

TORAH - תורה
A commitment to God and Torah as a means of inter- and intra-personal fulfillment;

THE JEWISH PEOPLE – AM YISRAEL - עם ישראל
The unity of the Jewish People;

THE STATE OF ISRAEL – MEDINAT YISRAEL - מדינת ישראל
The centrality of the State of Israel to the strength and survival of the Jewish People;

HEBREW – IVRIT - עברית
The importance of the Hebrew language as a vital component to the strength of the Jewish People;

HISTORY – MIDOR L’DOR - מדור לדור
The recognition that in order to fully appreciate our present and ensure our future we must strive to understand our past;

TO LEARN AND TO DO – NILMAD V’NA’ASEH - נלמד ונעשה
The necessity of lifelong Jewish learning and teaching as a foundation for our observance through a life of continual discovery of Jewish tradition, law and ethics;

PLURALISM – KOL YEHUDIM - כל יהודים
The acceptance and encouragement of alternate modes of Jewish experience;

SELF – TIKKUN MIDDOT - תיקון מידות
The understanding that we are to be a light unto the nations by fostering an environment where every individual can meet and exceed their potential as Jews and citizens of the world;

JUSTICE – TZEDEK - צדק
The obligation to work for justice for all;

COMMUNITY – KEHILAH - קהילה
The need for community to provide an outlet for the individual needs of all Jews;

REPAIRING THE WORLD - TIKKUN OLAM - תיקון עולם
The obligation to repair the world;

PARTNERSHIP – SHUTAFUT - שותפות
The need and desire to work together to foster each individual’s connection and commitment to ensuring the vibrancy of our movement;

FUN AND SPIRIT – KEF v’RUACH - כיף ורוח
The importance of fun and spirit as foundations of our movement;

do hereby ordain and establish the Constitution of the North American Federation of Temple Youth.


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