JAFTY (Jacksonville Area Federation of Temple Youth) is the Temple’s senior youth group for teens and run by teens, and provides a variety of programming focused on Jewish learning, social action, and leadership development. Most importantly, participants have the opportunity to come together in a Jewish setting that fosters a sense of belonging both among peers and the Jewish community at large. JAFTY’s programs today are creating the Temple congregants and Jewish leaders of tomorrow.
Being a teenager can be hard. Being a Jewish teenager, however, is easy. All I have to do is go to a JAFTY event and BAM! Dozens of friends instantly. Knowing that I’ll always be accepted is why I love JAFTY. JAFTY also provides me a cultural experience that I can’t get anywhere else. Celebrating Shabbat with other teens and then having deep discussions about controversial issues or personal beliefs in a totally open environment is a rare event, but it happens all the time in JAFTY. That’s what JAFTY is to me.
Alexander Wajsman, Communications Vice President
In addition to our local activities, JAFTY-ites participate in regional events such as kallot, weekends full of social and educational programs, inspirational services, meeting teens from across the region, and creating new memories. Hosting 300 NFTYites for Winter Kallah in January was an amazing opportunity and accomplishment for JAFTY and the Temple.
I cannot thank the Temple enough for their hard work to be so welcoming and inviting to all 300 of my friends from around the region. I can say with full confidence that I would not be the person I am today without JAFTY and the love and acceptance it offers.
Abby Morris, JAFTY President
This past year, JAFTY hosted hundreds of teens from across the Southeast for Winter Kallah, camped on the beach, went on a San Marco scavenger hunt, held a Purim carnival, and so much more. The First Friday of each month, JAFTY leads the Temple congregation in a creative spin on a traditional Shabbat service. These First Friday services are created and led by our teens and include thematic readings and songs.
JAFTY is very proud of its commitment to social action. Two causes benefiting from longstanding JAFTY support are Jewish Family & Community Services and Camp Jenny. Each winter, JAFTY takes children in the JFCS foster care system on a shopping spree to buy holiday gifts of their choice. Camp Jenny is held each Memorial Day weekend and serves elementary school students from the inner-city of Atlanta. The students get to interact with teen mentors – including JAFTY-ite counselors – and enjoy summer camp activities such as hiking, sports, and arts and crafts. These projects are supported by JAFTY’s fundraising efforts, including the Social Action Banquet. These activities benefit our community and give JAFTY-ites the chance to personally experience the impact of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam.
JAFTY is led by teens, with support and mentoring from advisor Stefanie Levine and Rabbi Matt Cohen. JAFTY’s elected executive board sets the group’s goals and direction, making sure each activity is well-planned, funded, engaging, and fun. JAFTY gives all Temple teens an inclusive Jewish environment based on meaningful experiences and connections.
JAFTY is very proud of its commitment to social action. Two causes benefiting from longstanding JAFTY support are Jewish Family & Community Services and Camp Jenny. Each winter, JAFTY takes children in the JFCS foster care system on a shopping spree to buy holiday gifts of their choice. Camp Jenny is held each Memorial Day weekend and serves elementary school students from the inner-city of Atlanta. The students get to interact with teen mentors – including JAFTY-ite counselors – and enjoy summer camp activities such as hiking, sports, and arts and crafts. These projects are supported by JAFTY’s fundraising efforts, including the Social Action Banquet. These activities benefit our community and give JAFTY-ites the chance to personally experience the impact of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam.
JAFTY is led by teens, with support and mentoring from advisor Stefanie Levine and Rabbi Matt Cohen. JAFTY’s elected executive board sets the group’s goals and direction, making sure each activity is well-planned, funded, engaging, and fun. JAFTY gives all Temple teens an inclusive Jewish environment based on meaningful experiences and connections.