YOUTH | DAFTY

DAFTY

DAFTY (Dallas Area Federation of Temple Youth) is Temple Emanu-El’s senior youth group. DAFTY works to engage youth in 8th through 12th grades through social programming, holiday activities, worship, retreats, overnights, and social action projects. All of our activities are planned and led by teen leaders, many of whom serve on an elected board under the watchful eye of Rabbi Kimberly Herzog Cohen and Steve Buchalter.

All of DAFTY’s programs seek to foster relationships among Temple Emanu-El’s teens, with an eye towards social justice and leadership development. All DAFTY programs are open to 8th through 12th grades, with the exception of our annual retreat which is open to high school students only (9th grade and up). Some of our notable activities have included our Party Bus Progressive Dinner, our Yom Kippur Teen Experience, and a trip to New Orleans for rebuilding work and community service.

DAFTY is also a member of NFTY-TOR, the Texas-Oklahoma Region of the North American Federation of Temple Youth. DAFTY members frequently participate in weekend Kallot and retreats through NFTY-TOR, which are also attended by members of other youth groups from throughout Texas and Oklahoma. These weekends frequently take place at Greene Family Camp or at congregations throughout the region. NFTY-TOR events are open to high school students only (9th grade and up). These weekends are run and planned by DAFTY, but Temple Emanu-El provides staff and adult chaperones and arranges transportation. If you have questions about NFTY-TOR programming, registration or travel arrangements contact Steve Buchalter.

DAFTY members must also pay dues of $45 per year and fill out a DAFTY membership form. Membership forms are due before a teen attends their first event of the year. Members may attend one event without paying DAFTY dues. Forms may be found using the links in the top-right corner of this page. Dues checks should be made out to Temple Emanu-El and sent to Steve Buchalter.

DAFTY's Goals

• Instill Jewish identity

• Build relationships among teens

• Increase Synagogue participation among high school youth

• Foster long-term commitment to the ideals and values of Reform Judaism

• Create today the Reform Jewish Congregants of tomorrow

DAFTY's Values

• Jewish literacy

• Spiritual exploration

• Social action

• Leadership development

• Jewish community

• Personal growth

For More Information:

Daniel Matyas, DAFTY President
(E) dkmatyas@aol.com

Jennifer Cassell, Youth Committee Chair:
(E) Jennifer.cassell@adp.com

Steve Buchalter, Director of Youth Engagement:
(P) 214-706-0000 x. 153 (E) sbuchalter@tedallas.org

Rabbi Kim Herzog Cohen, Rabbinical Liaison to Youth:
(P) 214-706-0000 x. 132 (E) kherzogcohen@tedallas.org