Just a few years ago, our youth program was in trouble. We had lost our identity — our niche — as Reform Jews. Now, in quick fashion, we are back on track. I mean this as no slight against efforts to create opportunities for the youth of Emanuel Synagogue and Temple B’nai Israel to foster a joint youth group (JOY). Offering programming in which all of our youth can interact, have fun, and get to know one another is crucial.
The problem was that Conservative Jewish minhag, or custom, was defining the nature of JOY. Temple youth were losing their unique Jewish identity, and our local NFTY chapter was fading fast.
Now, we have fostered an understanding where Junior OKATY and OKATY can plan programs according to temple minhag, and the synagogue’s USY chapter can plan programs according to their minhag. The beauty is that all of our youth are invited to all programming; in addition, the vision is at times to plan programs together.
I believe this has only strengthened our respective youth programs.
Just look to Junior OKATY and OKATY. Both membership — and more importantly — participation at events has greatly increased. We are easily sending double the number of youth to regional events. And we have even sent representatives to Kutz Camp (specializing in leadership training, located in Warwick, New York) and to a NFTY national convention.
And now the kicker: One of our own, Julie Bock, recently became president of NFTY-TOR. (Texas-Oklahoma region)
Words alone cannot express how proud I am of our youth. Congratulations to Julie and congratulations to the following people who will serve on next year’s OKATY leadership cabinet: President, Evan Traylor; Programming Vice President, Garrett Zwahlen; Social Action Vice President, Anna Epstein; Religious and Cultural Vice President, Shelby Guskin; Communications Vice President, Erin Murray; Co-membership Vice Presidents, Sadie Barlow and Meagan Zwahlen; Sophomore Class Representative, Audrey Walker; Junior Class Representative, Katie Evilsizer; Senior Class Representative, Alexandra Null; The Freshman Class Representative will be elected in the fall.
I invite you to join us in worship on Friday, May 1st at 7:30; OKATY members will lead that service, and the new OKATY board will be installed.
Also at that service, we will tip our hats to the hard work behind the scenes by our temple’s youth director, Barbie Greer, in addition to the members of the temple’s Youth Commission, chairwoman Ann Baumgarten, Adri Johnson, Jennifer Arlan and Barbara Guskin.
Ann will soon be stepping down as chairwoman. At our upcoming annual meeting, Marjorie Evilsizer will become the new Youth Commission chairwoman. I have all the confidence in the world that Marjorie will do a wonderful job.
We at the temple are proving that we value our youth; and our youth are stepping up and proving that they are worthy of our confidence. Chazack, chazack, v’nitchazeik — May we strenghten our youth, and may they strengthen us.
May 2, 2009 at 5:10 am |
We’ve got amazing youth at TBI – and I’m proud to have served on the YC during this transition. When the tot shabbot crowd gets old enough there will be an amazing Reform Judaism youth group waiting for them in OKC.
June 5, 2009 at 9:18 am |
I know first hand the obstacles Ann faced when she took over the YC Chair. Ann, along with the other YC members, performed an amazing job in bringing our Reform youth back to where they belong.
I am extremely proud of Ann’s leadership, Barbie’s directing and the Commission’s hard work.
They deserve great recognition.
June 12, 2009 at 7:15 am |
Thanks, Shari – the hard work and tears were all worth it, now that we have gotten to the other side! I have appreciated the support of everyone who has helped us to make it happen!