Proposal for NFTY Study Theme 2007-2008
Tihyeh Shofeit L’Atzmecha – You Will Be A Judge For Yourself
WHEREAS the Preamble of the NFTY Constitution outlines that “the unity of the Jewish people” is a principle of this organization, and;
WHEREAS Article Two of the North American Federation of Temple Youth Constitution declares that it is NFTY’s purpose to “unite the Reform Jewish Youth of North America…so that we may cooperate and collectively benefit in the pursuit of our common aim”, and;
WHEREAS many teenagers are reluctant to attend NFTY Kallot for reasons pertaining to their Jewish lifestyle, for example, their practices of kashrut (kosher), and;
WHEREAS the Preamble of the NFTY Constitution outlines that “the obligation of free choice through knowledge” is a principle of this organization, and;
WHEREAS much of NFTY programming does not allow for the individual to truly make his/her own “free choice” on matters, as a result of single-approach programming, and;
WHEREAS the Preamble of the NFTY Constitution outlines that “the encouragement of alternate modes of Jewish experience” as a principle of this organization, and;
WHEREAS NFTY frequently falls short of offering opportunities for NFTYites to pursue alternate modes of Jewish experience, and;
WHEREAS the Preamble of the NFTY Constitution outlines that “to provide an outlet for the individual humanistic needs of all Jews” as a principle of this organization, and;
WHEREAS many NFTYites feel ostracized for having beliefs contrary to that of the majority of NFTY, and;
WHEREAS the core values of NFTY include, “K’hilah K’doshah: NFTY strives to create a holy Jewish community in which all NFTYites feel a sense of belonging”, Hitpatchut: NFTY aims to give Reform Jewish youth the tools to make decisions in their day-to-day lives”, and “Am Yisrael: Being a member of NFTY means being an active Jew, whether through study, dialogue, or action”, and;
WHEREAS as a result of their levels of observance, many NFTYites do not feel welcomed at NFTY Kallot, camps, and conventions, and;
WHEREAS NFTY created an initiative called “Who’s Your Rabbi?” in December of 2006 which responded to Israeli President Moshe Katsav’s refusal to recognize rabbis without Orthodox Smicha (ordination), and;
WHEREAS the “Who’s Your Rabbi?” initiative highlights NFTY’s support for Jewish pluralism and the requirement of its further exploration, and;
WHEREAS “choice through knowledge” is a main tenet of the NFTY, and;
WHEREAS “choice through knowledge” implies that any choice is valid as long as it is made as a result of study and/or experience – thereby implying that NFTY has an obligation to
adhere to plurality, therefore;
LET IT BE RESOLVED that the NFTY Study Theme for the 2007-2008 year be “Tihyeh Shofeit L’Atzmecha – You Will Be A Judge For Yourself”, and;
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that NFTY strives to rededicate itself to its creed “choice through knowledge” by offering holistic programming, providing NFTYites with the opportunity to make “free choices”, and;
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that NFTY strives to make it possible for all NFTYites of varying Jewish lifestyles to attend kallot, camps, and conventions, and;
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that NFTY continues to support Jewish pluralism in Israel and other communities worldwide through regional programming, and;
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that NFTY offers its members the opportunity to pursue alternate modes of Jewish experience by exposing them to the many practices in Judaism, while supporting open dialogue between the numerous Jewish denominations, and;
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that the regions educate and program on the different traditions and practices of the various denominations of Judaism so as to create a holistic understanding of Jewish pluralism.
Respectfully submitted,
Zach Newburgh, NFTY-NEL President 5766-5767
Mindy Michaels, NFTY-TOR President 5766-5767
Jessica Goodman, NFTY-NAR SAVP 5766-5767
*Josh Morris, NFTY-GER RCVP 5766-5767
Co-signed:
Eric Frenkil, NFTY-MAR SAVP 5766-5767
Shalla Yudelevich, NFTY-MV SAVP 5766-5767
Ben Phelps, NFTY-NW RCVP 5766-5767
Alex Rogers, NFTY-NEL CVP 5766-5767
