Week 4: Convention Summary

Before I transition to the next part of my project that involves the planning of a regional event and breakdown of leadership responsibilities, I am going to talk a bit about the NFTY Convention, and what occurred after Asefah and Elections when the rest of the NFTY youth and staff arrived.

By 3pm, Friday afternoon over 1000 Jewish teens and adult staff were congregated in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. We were greeted by the current NFTY North American Board in an opening plenary, which was followed by the 850 youth participants, including myself, being divided into groups based on social justice topics we had chosen prior. I was placed in the Economic Justice group where we discussed the circumstances of economically underprivileged youth, and the impacts of growing up without a well-funded education, stable diet, and outlet for physical activity. After dinner, we celebrated Shabbat on Friday night with services, followed by a song session.

Saturday morning after breakfast, the day was opened with another plenary- this time discussing the Torah reading of the week and an interpretation. The president of the Union of Reform Judaism, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, spoke to everyone about the current divide facing our nation today and the importance of youth activism in the pursuit of social justice!

URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs Speaking at NFTY Convention 2017

After Lunch, NFTY Workshops were set up all around the hotel. Being a member of the Architecture/Building Design Lab, I made my way to the back of the Hyatt and took part in a creative brainstorming and designing session with a Chicago Architect. Many other workshops were offered, including those talking about various aspects of Judaism, culture, sports, and of course, social action as well.

After a brief meeting with our original groups given to us on Friday, we went back up to our rooms to relax before dinner and the Saturday night plenary, titled: World Changers United.

Chicago Pastor Chris Harris

The thousand of us Jewish youth were packed into the main hall, and an African American gentleman walked onstage and introduced himself as Chris Harris, a Pastor for a local Catholic Church.  He proceeded to talk to us about the importance of African American-Judeo relations and hyped up the audience with the phrase "we are stronger together."  Everyone was into what Mr. Harris had to say, as he is an incredible speaker. However, everyone lost their minds when at the end of his speech he proceeded to sing the Israeli national anthem: Hatikva (The Hope).

Sunday was the last day of programming, and we opened with a special senior breakfast. The highlight of Sunday was the offsite, where everyone had the opportunity to leave the hotel and travel to one of many places and participate in a special activity. Myself, and many others, traveled to a mosque and took part in an Interfaith Youth Core. We observed a prayer session and talked openly about religion and living in society with Muslim and Christian youth.

The second highlight of the day, and for many, the highlight of the event, was the Dan Nichols concert. Although it was not educational or much related to Business Management Theory, it sure was thrilling. The highlight of my entire NFTY career is when he brought me onstage for "Turn the World Around!"

NFTY Convention 2017 was as exhausting as it was exhilarating! I had an amazing time, and the structure and function of NFTY on the national level was on full display in the most prideful way.  Now, with Convention behind me, it is time to shift on my next focus: the planning and organizing of a regional event.