LEFTY
LEFTY is Temple Isaiah’s High School Youth Group, serving teens in grades 9 -12, although many local events are open to 8th graders as well. LEFTY strives to make the teachings of Judaism a functioning part of the social outlook of all its members as well as to promote an understanding and practice of the values and traditions of Judaism. LEFTY’s main goal is to provide a venue for Jewish youth to meet, develop friendships, and learn in a Jewish setting.
LEFTY is one of the largest and most active youth groups in NFTY-NE, the Northeast Region of the North American Federation of Temple Youth. For more info on NFTY go to
www.nfty.org.
Below is sampling of our local events in addition to some of the incredible regional events.
- Freshman Kidnap (Our Annual Opening Event)
- High Holiday Food Drive
- TGIF Events (Shabbat Service and Program)
- Spooky World
- LEFTY Shul-In
- Mazon Dinner
- Creative Service
- Purim Carnival
- Mitzvah Day/Walk for Hunger
- Iron Chef Shabbat
- Grade Events
- Regional Events: Dances, Conclavettes, Institutes, Winter Wonderland, Shul-ins…
It is extremely difficult to capture in words the vibrant spirit of LEFTY. At Temple Isaiah, we are fortunate to have a youth group in which all members are fully welcome and feel they can play an important role. LEFTY strives to reach out to all teens in the Temple Isaiah and greater community, and our members are an enthusiastic, caring, friendly, and welcoming group.
LEFTY members also have a special space within the Temple building to hang out with friends, do homework, plan future LEFTY events or even take a nap! The LEFTY Lounge is open to all Temple Isaiah teens. (You do not have to be a LEFTY member to hang out in the LEFTY Lounge.) The Lounge is located on the 2nd Floor across from room 26 and is a safe space for Temple teens come after school ANY day of the week.
LEFTY is entirely teen-run under the guidance of our LEFTY Advisor, Alicia McGee, and our Director of Tichon Isaiah and Youth Programs, Emily Messinger.
Questions about LEFTY? Contact LEFTY’s President, Zoe Colman, or LEFTY’s Advisor, Alicia McGee, at amcgee@templeisaiah.net or 781-862-7160.
Attention 9th - 12th Graders:
To join LEFTY, please fill out the Membership form,
and the Health and Safety form
and return them to the LEFTY mailbox at Temple Isaiah.
8th Graders will be invited to several local events,
but do not need to fill out Membership forms.
*LEFTY Members do not have to be Temple Isaiah member
LEFTY MEMBERSHIP DUES ($45/per LEFTY-ite)
What do the LEFTY membership dues include and where does the money go? Below is a list of a few of the ways the dues are put to use throughout the year. Please note that LEFTY is completely financially responsible for all of its events, transportation, and supplies. (Financial assistance IS available to help with LEFTY membership dues and event costs if finances are an issue for you. Please contact Emily Messinger and this will be handled discretely.)
- Mailings – throughout the year LEFTY members are sent information about LEFTY programs, events and activities.
- Supplies – Each year we make improvements to the LEFTY Lounge, the least of which is stocking the supply closet with anything and everything that might be used by LEFTY-ites throughout the year, including various office and arts and crafts supplies, envelopes, labels, paper, etc.
- Offset Event and Transportation Costs - Membership dues are used to offset the cost of other programs, events and activities that LEFTY sponsors throughout the year. While many of our programs take place at Temple, there are occasions that we need to hire bus transportation or purchase additional supplies. We will do our best to keep the cost of these individual events to a minimum. Membership dues assist us in doing so.
- Regional Dues – Each local Temple Youth Group (LEFTY) is responsible for paying dues to the Northeast Region of NFTY. Part of the dues that you contribute will go toward our yearly regional dues.
- LEFTY T-Shirts – All LEFTY members receive a LEFTY t-shirt with their membership.
NFTY & NFTY-NE
For almost seventy years, the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) has offered thousands of young people the opportunity to explore and live Reform Judaism.
Today, over 750 Reform congregations throughout North America sponsor Temple Youth Groups, bringing the NFTY experience to more than 10,000 high school-age young people in grades 9 thru 12. Through involvement opportunities offered by congregations, our 19 NFTY regions, and on the North American level, NFTYites strive to forge an identity in consonance with the goals and values of Reform Judaism. LEFTY is part of NFTY-NE, the Northeast region of NFTY.
NFTY-NE brings together Reform Jewish Teens from Upstate New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Montreal, Canada. Our members come together at many times during the year for learning, fun, worship, community service, and fellowship to help young Jewish adults throughout the region build and strengthen lifetime ties with each other and Reform Judaism.
Stemming from a historic tradition of both Jewish and non-Jewish European youth movements, the North American Federation of Temple Youth (otherwise known as “NFTY”) is the Reform Jewish religious youth movement that fosters leadership at the national, regional and congregational level. It is advised by a set of adult Jewish youth professionals. Comprised of over 750 local synagogue youth groups, NFTY also functions as a youth organization, an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), as well as a program of the Union for Reform Judaism. There is a healthy balance between those aspects of NFTY that are youth-led and those that are directed by its adult advisors.
Whether functioning as an organization, program, or youth movement, NFTY is a Reform Jewish community for high school students. NFTYites forge and build friendships, lifelong Reform Jewish identities, and leadership skills through community building, worship, social action, and experiential youth-led Jewish educational programming. Many NFTYites serve as NFTY leaders on the local TYG, regional, and even North American levels. Many NFTY Leaders continue on to become both lay and professional leaders of the Reform Jewish Movement.
JYGI
JYGI is the name of the Junior Youth Group here at Temple Isaiah especially for students in 3rd through 5th grades. We meet on average of one Saturday morning a month (beginning in November) and enjoy community time together. We share in a Shir Shabbat service, have lunch together after the service and spend time together after lunch doing some exciting and fun activities and trips! Your “Fearless Leader” is Sharon Spivak who spends “countless” hours finding the best activities possible for this group!
Please note our Shir Shabbat and JYGI dates for this upcoming year:
- November 21 --- AN AFTERNOON AT COCO KEY INDOOR WATER RESORT!!!
- December 19
- January 23
- No JYGI in Feb.
- March 27
- No JYGI in April
PLEFTY (Parents of LEFTY)
LEFTY (Lincoln Street Federation of Temple Youth) is one of the largest (and most active) temple youth groups in NFTY-NE, the Northeast region of the North American Federation of Temple Youth. As parents, you have supported your children in their involvement in LEFTY, but now it is your turn!!!
Join PLEFTY (Parents of LEFTY)! Have fun! Make New Friends! Reconnect with Old Friends! Experience Something New!
PLEFTY Leadership Opportunities
We are looking for volunteers to chair (or co-chair) each event. Responsibilities include:
- Promoting the Event
- Coordinating the Meal for the Event
- Planning and/or Coordinating any activities for the Event
Please let us know if you are interested in taking on this wonderful opportunity. Emily Messinger will be happy to work with you to bring the event to life!
Advisors
Emily Messinger (emessinger@templeisaiah.net)
Rabbi Carey Brown (rabbibrown@templeisaiah.net)
Direct all questions and ideas to Emily or Rabbi Brown.
Cost
Some events are free while there is an $18.00 charge for others. See the sign up sheet (below) for individual event costs.
2009-2010/5770 PLEFTY Events
| September 8: |
Meet & Greet in the LEFTY Lounge |
| November 10: |
Theme Night |
| December 15: |
Chanukah Party |
| January TBD: |
Parent-Student Educational Program |
| March 23: |
Israeli Movie Night |
| May 11: |
Potluck Dinner & Games |
*All PLEFTY Events will take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm—8:00 pm. Dinner will always be included