ASTY– (Adas Shalom Temple Youth) and JASTY-(Junior Adas Shalom Temple Youth) Our Temple youth groups, affiliated with NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) are here to serve as a social and educational framework for Reform Jewish youth in Harford County, Maryland. ASTY, provides an opportunity to meet Jewish teens from other areas at a regional level. We create programs to help our teens find their Jewish identity in a fun, relaxed, and safe environment. The leaders of ASTY help instill Jewish values in the participants. Our priorities are to get new members, to experience NFTY and all it has to offer and to HAVE FUN!
Our board is made up of high school students who want to gain valuable leadership skills and experience, bond with socially conscious Jewish peers, and make a difference through realization of Jewish values. Our board members will:
Boost their leadership skills
Connect with Jewish youth
Expand their Jewish identity
Debate tough choices
Engage in social justice issues
Attend a fun, inspirational and well-planned retreats
Participate in skill-building seminars and youth-led Foundation board meetings
ASTY and JASTY youth are front and center. The teens envision an idea, set goals, create and execute programs, and finally evaluate their work with comments and suggestions from their peers. Adult staff and volunteer advisors guide and assist teens as they set their course and direct their chapter activities; however, the chapter officers take on as much responsibility as they are able – gaining self-assurance and important skills for living.
The members of ASTY and JASTY envision a larger, cohesive Reform Jewish teen community that values tradition and is strongly involved in tikkun olam.
Temple Adas Shalom welcomes all members and looks forward to an exciting and inspirational year.
