• Spread the Light – a NFTY-SW project

    on February 2, 2016

    By Shir Attias, NFTY-SW Religious and Cultural Vice-President   There is no doubt that the Jewish holidays are a special time for NFTY-ites. The Jewish holidays bring  matzah ball soup and phones flooded with texts and facebook posts wishing you a “Chag Sameach.” Yet, this feeling is perhaps strongest during Hanukkah, when– unlike the rest


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  • Why I Stand for Gun Violence Prevention

    on January 10, 2016

    By Eva Turner, Songleader, NFTY-SW Please close your eyes for a second and picture, if you will, today. Except five years ago. Think about where you were, who you were with, what you were doing. As I think back to that day, I can recount to you exactly what happened, where I was, as if


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  • Taking Action – parashat Vayeshev

    on December 22, 2015

    By Alex Elbogen – Temple Kol Ami Temple Youth This week’s Torah portion of Vayeshev tells the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. Many people know of this story through its portrayal in movies and musical theatre, but not everyone is aware of its meaningful elements. Much of the story’s emphasis is


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  • The Power of Biennial from 2149 Miles Away

    on November 18, 2015

    By Shir Attias, NFTY-SW Religious and Cultural Vice President Friday afternoon I got home from school, changed into a dress, and picked out my favorite cardigan. I fixed my hair, did my makeup for the first time all week, and grabbed a blanket. Plopping on the couch, I turned on my T.V. to the Jewish


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  • High Hopes for the High Holidays

    on October 8, 2015

    By Shir Attias,  NFTY-SW Religious and Cultural Vice-President I remember the high holidays as a kid very well: huge dinner tables laden with soups, meats, and deserts; long winded services telling us to ask for forgiveness and look forward to a new year. I remember the long sermons prompting introspection, and I remember twiddling my


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  • Becoming the Leader of Me

    on September 21, 2015

    The NFTY-SW Leadership Training Institute took teen leaders from workshop to workshop, program to program, but one in particular stood out to me. Lynne Butner, our NFTY-SW Regional Director, wrote a program on the Science of Character where she utilized the Let it Ripple video by Tiffany Shlain on character building.


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  • This Is Where I Belong

    on September 18, 2015

    NFTY-Southwest has never been a quiet region. We sing loud and we cheer even louder. There was no better place for us to show that spirit than at this year’s Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at Temple Emanu-El in Tucson, AZ. Wildcat country.


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  • NFTY-SW Junior Youth Social Action Weekend Event Recap

    on May 26, 2015

    By the end of the evening, I could see that this group was already making connections and were happy to be together. After our mixers we experienced our first closing friendship circle and learned the NFTY cheer. Then we headed to our host homes for a good night’s sleep.


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  • NFTY-SW Spring Kallah 2015 Recap

    on May 26, 2015

    Spring Kallah was an incredible weekend, and I wouldn’t have expected anything less after what has been a truly outstanding year. Thanks to all our parents, staff, congregations, rabbis, and participants for making it one to remember!


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