Welcome to NFTY-NW. Part of NFTY culture is our language full of acronyms and weird words that sound unfamiliar. Here’s a dictionary, in case you get confused!!

Advisor : An adult who advises and mentors us in programming, logistics, administrative work and leadership skills. Our Regional Advisor is Briana Holtzman.

Birkat Hamazon : This is the prayer that NFTYites say after we eat. It thanks God for our food and drink.

Biennial : the URJ Biennial occurs every other year, when there is not a NFTY Convention. This is a massive gathering of all the adult leaders of the Reform Jewish movement. Biennial also has a NFTY Youth Track for NFTYites to take part in. The next Biennial will be December 2007 in sunny San Diego, CA.

B’rit Kehilah : NFTY’s code of conduct. You signed this before coming to an event; it details the rules and regulations for a NFTY event. Basically, you promised not to do drugs, drink, engage in inappropriate sexual conduct and to be a respectful NFTYite.

Camp Kalsman : The newest URJ camp opening June 2007 in Arlington,Wa. We can’t wait to start having our events at our very own camp! A number of NFTY-NW members will be spending a part of their summer at Kalsman.

Convention : NFTY Convention is a nationwide event that occurs every other year. NFTYites from all across the country, and even across the world gather to learn, pray, and have fun. The most recent Convention just occurred February 2007 in Philadelphia.

Friendship Circle : The last thing NFTY-NW members do at an event is gather in a massive circle. We sing, and there are speeches from the NW president, the NW advisor, as well as many tears and hugs.

Installations : a very special ceremony when the old regional board passes down their position to the new regional board, and says goodbye. This takes place at Spring Kallah.

Kallah : fun weekends when NFTYites from all different TYGs in our region come together to meet other NFTYites, pray and learn. NFTY-NW usually has four kallot each year. Sign up for our next event!

KUTZ : Kutz Campus is the North American NFTY Leadership Academy, located in Warwick, NY. NFTYites go to Kutz for one or two “academies” to learn about leadership, Judaism and so much more.

LTI : Leadership Training Institute. This is a NFTY-NW event that focuses on leadership.

Mechina : This is a leadership training week for newly-elected NFTY regional officers that takes place at Kutz Camp. There is also a North American NFTY Board meeting which provides an opportunity to vote on resolutions and set the NFTY agenda for the upcoming year.

Million Quarter Project : A social action project that NFTY takes part in. If you have any spare change, especially quarters, donate it to the MQP. All of the money goes to Ethiopian Jews who are starving. One quarter will provides a day’s worth of food for one Jewish child in Ethiopia.

NFTY : NFTY is the North American Federation of Temple Youth. Anyone who is a member of a Temple Youth Group from Hawaii to New York, from Canada to Texas is a part of NFTY.

Netzer Olami : An international organization of reform Zionist Jewish youth, of which NFTY is the North American snif (branch) of. Simply put, it’s like NFTY, but everywhere!

Northwest : Northwest is our region of NFTY. We are one of the largest geographical regions in ALL of NFTY. Our region includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and parts of Alberta, Canada. Because we used to be called Westy… don’t be surprised if you hear our members referred to as Northwesty-ites or the region referred to as Northwesty.

Plenary : Held every year at LTI and Spring Kallot, this is a general assembly where NFTY-NW can pass resolutions on certain issues, get updates from TYGs and vote on various things.

Programs : Informal programs (as opposed to formal education in the classroom) take place at all Kallot. Programs can be about any topic from Purim to AIDS to the Middle East Peace process. Programs can also be social like a dance, a game, or a carnival.

RAC : The Religious Action Center. Located in Washington, D.C., the RAC is the social action center for the URJ. NFTY works closely with the RAC on social action issues.

Region : This encompasses all the TYGs that fall in a certain geographic area. Our region includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and parts of Alberta, Canada. NFTY has 19 regions. These TYGs get together for Kallot and other events.

Regional Board : The Regional Board of NFTY-NW is made up of 7 amazing, hard-working Northwesty members. They are elected each year at Spring Kallah and are essential in making NFTY-NW what it is. They write and run programs and services, and represent NFTY-NW at North American meetings. Find out who's who on our regional board.

Ruach : Hebrew for Spirit. Basically, it’s the enthusiasm we show for NFTY, for learning, for Judaism and for everything we do.

Ruach the Raindrop: Our regional mascot. He is just one of the ways we show our love & spirit for the region.

Senior Goodbyes : At Spring Kallah every year, senior goodbyes allows the graduating seniors to talk about their time with NFTY, as well as pass important items or memories from their NFTY experience.

Songleaders : Amazing NFTY-NW staff & members who lead us in song session and often in services.

Song Session : We sing Jewish music, clap, stomp, dance, and make lots and lots of noise. This is where we show our ruach most!

Tikkun Olam : Tikkun Olam is repairing the world. It’s the Jewish value which tells us to do social action! NFTYites do this by participating in mitzvah projects, social action programs and doing mitzvot in general.

TYG : Temple Youth Group. The group of teenagers at your temple that get together for events. Your TYG is a part of NFTY... check out the rest of the region's TYGs.

TYG Board : The members of the TYG that usually plan and run youth group events for individual youth groups.

URJ : Union for Reform Judaism, the parent body of NFTY. The URJ encompasses all of NFTY plus lots of college students, adults, rabbis, cantors, temple board members and well…basically any reform Jew in America. They also manage camps like Kutz and Kalsman. They provide adult, rabbinical and financial support to NFTY.