Learning & Action
NFTY is steeped in a rich history of social activism. We are commanded by our faith and urged by tradition to continuously seek to improve our world. The values of Tikkun Olam are some of the fundamental pillars of our organization. The great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stressed the extraordinary power that a group of passionate people possess; NFTY is a group of thousands of passionate young leaders. Together, with our brimming enthusiasm and staunch resolve, we can accomplish incredible things.
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![Scrabble tiles spelling out 'NO HATE' on a scattered wooden surface.]()
Antisemitism
“We are committed to addressing antisemitism in our communities, and to providing a safe space for Jewish teens to gather.
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Environment and Climate Change
The Reform Movement is committed to protecting the environment. From the pressing global crisis of climate change to advocacy on clean water and food justice, we are heirs to a tradition of stewardship and partnership in the ongoing work of Creation that goes back to Genesis.
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![Crowd of people protesting with signs, including one that reads "Reform Jewish Students Say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" and another with the words "DO JUSTICE LOVE". Tall buildings and a clear sky in the background.]()
Gun Violence Prevention
The Reform Movement, led by students and NFTY, is outraged at the current lack of legislative action and political leadership that allows this horrible violence to continue. This epidemic is not natural, nor normal and gun violence can be prevented.
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![Purple awareness ribbon on a dark gray background with the hashtag #STOPVIOLENCE written below.]()
Sexual Violence Prevention
The Reform Movement is committed to raising awareness about sexual assault in our communities, educating ourselves on preventing and responding to cases, advocating for survivors’ rights, and supporting people who have experienced sexual assault.
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![A young girl with short curly hair holding up her hands with words written on her palms: 'STOP' on the left hand and 'RACISM' on the right hand, in focus. The background is blurred.]()
Racial Justice
As Reform Jews committed to the spirit of this teaching, we say unequivocally, Black Lives Matter. To affirm that Black Lives Matter is to commit to a human and civil rights movement, working to end systemic racism against Black people and white supremacy.
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![Rainbow flag with red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple stripes. A heart shape is cut out in the center of the yellow and green stripes.]()
LGBTQ+ Equality
The Reform Jewish Movement has worked for decades to end discrimination and support equality for the LGBTQ+ community. We are obligated to honor the fact that all people are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and thus, deserve to be treated equally in all facets of society.
Learning + Resources
NFTY believes in and strives to be a space for continued, life-long learning. For the Jewish people, the study of Torah never ends. Each year, we turn it over and over, it can be as if we are reading it for the first time. Every time we engage in meaningful learning, it offers the possibility of new insights and understandings about the world around us. “It is a tree of life to all who grasp it, and whoever holds on to it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all it paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17-18)
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Torah Study
Torah usually refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books make up the story of the Jewish people.
These ancient stories touch upon science, history, philosophy, ritual and ethics. Included are stories of individuals, families, wars, slavery and more. Virtually no subject was taboo for Torah.
Running through these stories is the unique lens through which the Jewish people would come to view their world and their God.
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![Two people sitting together in front of the Western Wall, with one person draped in an Israeli flag.]()
Israel
Reform Zionism is a continuation of the early Zionist dream to foster a living, breathing national culture that represents the highest ideals of Jewish peoplehood. Foremost among these ideals is for Jews to be free and liberated citizens of the world who also contribute as Jews to our global civilization.
