TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Table of Contents...…………………...…..……………………………. 1 

Welcome! ………..….....……………………………..……………………..2  

The Lingo …………………………….……………………………….……..3 

First, Second, Third …………………………………………....………4 

The “It” Factor …………………………………………………………….5 

5 As of Social Action …………………………………………………..6 

Social Action Programming ……………………………………...8 

Net(Work) It! ………………..…………………………………………….12 

Action Plan ………………………………………………………………...13 

Fundraising ………………………………………………………………..15 

Camp Jenny ………………………………………………………………..17 

Resources ……………………………………………………………………18 

About Me …………………………….………………………………..……..19 

About You …………………………….…………………...………………….20 

 

1 

 Welcome!!  

Hey everybody! First off, congratulations on being in the Super Awes- 

uh I mean… Social Action Network! I cannot wait to embark on this wonderful 

journey of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, together.  

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Haley Stav and I have the 

honor and privilege of being your NFTY-STR Social Action Vice President this 

year! Aside from social justice and activism I love memes and dogs (please 

send me both, I’ll love you forever) as well as meeting new people and 

discovering new music (slide your playlists). I cannot wait to build a 

relationship with each and every one of you (rumor has it you’re all Super 

Awesome haha). Enough about me, let’s talk about you! 

I truly believe that every single one of you has the power and passion to 

make change in your local, regional, and global community and I want to 

help you all get there. As members of this network, we will work to bring 

about real, tangible change not as individuals, but as a cohesive team. The job 

of changing the world is a large one but, to quote my Instagram bio (hit me up 

@haleystav), together we can change the world.  

Everyone in this room is a social action leader in one way or another. 

I’m here to give you all the resources and techniques you need to be as 

successful as possible. Please please please never hesitate to reach out to me, 

social action related or not. I am beyond excited to see what we can do 

together.   

B’ahava (With Love) 

Haley 

2 

The Lingo  

NFTY - The Reform Jewish Youth Movement 

STR - The Southern Tropical Region, from Central Florida to the Keys  

TYG - Temple Youth Group  

PVP - Programming Vice President  

SAVP - Social Action Vice President (more like Super Awesome Vice 

President amirite?) 

RCVP - Religious and Cultural Vice President  

CVP - Communications Vice President  

MVP - Membership Vice President  

KALLAH - A regional event where we all come together for 2-5 days of 

Shabbat, programming, social action, and fun! 

LLTI - Liz Leadership Training Institute, where we are right now! This is the 

kallah where we teach the leaders of our region to learn all the skills 

necessary for success! 

RAC - The Religious Action Center, URJ’s political advocacy arm in DC  

URJ - The Union of Reform Judaism is the larger organization all reform 

temples are a part of 

L’taken - A RAC led Social Justice Seminar which engages nearly 2,000 

Jewish teens in North American social action every year 

SIYUUM - A closing circle we all join in every night of an event 

CJ - Camp Jenny! Camp Jenny is NFTY-STR and SAR’s mitzvah project 

which takes place over Memorial Day Weekend at URJ Camp Coleman 

(we’ll talk more about this later :D ) 

3 

First, Second, Third 

 

It is important to note that not every leader has a position. However, social 

action is unique because anyone can be an activist: everyone has a 

passion. And, most importantly, everyone can change the world. As 

members of this network it is your job to raise up the social action leaders 

of your local communities as well as help those who may not have found 

their passion for it yet to find the issues that push them to fight for 

change. 

4 

The “It” Factor There is a reason you all here. Whether that reason is the 

unshakable need to fight for what is right, your passion for change in the 

world around us, or your enthusiasm for Camp Jenny, we all have 

something in common: Social Action. Social Action is anything that 

embodies the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam . Whether it be volunteering at 

a food pantry, running a privilege program, or fundraising for a social 

justice cause,these are all viable and powerful examples of Social Action. 

But what do you do when your participants aren’t receptive to social 

action programming or fundraisers? 

1. First, don’t get frustrated. Take a breath and continue. 

2. Find issues that are important in your community. This allows 

program participants (PPs) to be engaged and understand that 

their efforts or education have real world applications. Help 

them find their “It factor”, the issue they feel they MUST fight 

for. 

3. Test out different programming styles (we’ll go over your 

options later) as using the same style continuously may seem 

repetitive and thus unengaging. 

4. Have faith. If you walk into a program convinced your PPs are 

going to be bored and disrespectful, your negative energy will 

radiate. 

5 

5 A’s of Social Action Awareness  Awareness is how your program or event educates its participants about the topic, 

issue, or theme at hand. Remember that you’re not teaching participants what to think, 

but how to think, by giving them the opportunity to form their own opinion . It’s 

important to acknowledge multiple perspectives on a cause in order to prevent 

one-sidedness. By doing this, you will help create a community where everyone feels 

comfortable voicing their opinions.  

 

Assessment  This is the act of evaluating your community’s needs and challenges. As an SAVP and 

social action leader, you will primarily be focused on how to make tangible change in 

your own respective local communities. It is important to realize that you have power 

and resources to make this change so it’s important to look at where this power would 

be best directed . Question to ask yourself and your community would be: How do 

large-scale issues influence your city? What does your TYG feel most passionately 

about? Where would your time and resources be best spent? People will resonate most 

with issues that they feel most directly impact them, and their opinions will help 

determine your program’s course of action. Speaking of action…  

 

Action  This stage is when we make direct, hands-on change by going out into our community. 

This can range anywhere from holding drives and collecting donations, to 

volunteering at local community organizations. Your participants will be more 

engaged when they know exactly what they are doing, why they are doing it, and who 

will benefit from their actions. Intentionality is key! Education without action is a 

missed opportunity, and action without context is participation.  

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Alliance  Alliance involves forming partnerships with local organizations to create stronger, 

more tangible change . You can foster relationships between you and an organization, 

the organization and your TYG, or even the organization and your temple to further 

engage in social action. Not only would these connections help your TYG succeed, but 

the local organization benefits from the time and effort you put it in, creating a 

standing, mutually supportive partnership and greater potential to change the world. 

Remember, together we can change the world! 

 

Advocacy  Advocacy is the message that not only do you have power as the SAVP of your TYG or a 

social action leader, but as a member of a greater society . Remember that everyone has 

a voice and that it is your job to help your participants use it in the most effective way 

possible. The purpose of action-oriented programs is to mitigate the consequences of 

injustice while advocacy is directed towards ensuring long-lasting change by targeting 

the roots of a problem. These are both exciting and viable forms of social action 

programming (We’ll discuss more types later on!) they just have different objectives. 

Examples of advocacy programs involve interacting with our local and national 

governments through means such as phone-banking, letter-writing, and lobbying for 

issues that you and your participants are passionate about. 

 7 

Types of Social Action Programming 

Adapted from Daniel Shapiro, NFTY-STR SAVP 2018-2019  

Education/Awareness  

Raising awareness to a cause is essential for all types of social action programming. An 

educational aspect of your program will benefit your members and participants by 

providing them more background on the topic, allowing them to learn more about the 

issue and how it impacts them, and most importantly gives them all the necessary 

resources and information to form or adapt their own opinion. Ex: Watching videos 

about Title IX or having a speaker 

 

Experiential 

Experiential programming describes programs in which participants are immersed in 

a specific scenario in order to experience an issue firsthand. In experiential programs, 

you are incorporating your members into a controlled simulation directed by group 

leaders to reach an expected result. By design, an experiential program is meant to be 

interactive and convey information indirectly. Ex: Simulating physical disabilities by 

taking away a sense or movement from them and were able see how it affects their 

likelihood of completing everyday tasks 

 

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Social Action Programming (Cont) Activity/Discussion Based  This type of programming incorporates elements of the educational and experiential 

programs to design a program that is both comprehensive as well as engaging . Your 

programs can be innovative and engaging by containing activity-based and 

discussion-based elements to effectively reflect the goals of your program. It is also 

beneficial to set up a program in this manner because it allows your participants to 

reflect over the meaning of the activity by means of a debrief or discussion. Ex: Gender 

gap simulation with a debrief  

 

Activism  Activism programs are unique because they focus on the power that participants have 

to create change as individual citizens. EMPOWERMENT IS POWERFUL!! This is a 

political route to social action, in which participants advocate for issues that they are 

passionate about and stand up for their beliefs. This can take form by advocating for 

issues on a local level such as petitioning your local government, lobbying, and writing 

or calling your local government representatives. Ex: Writing letters to congresspeople 

 

Community Service  Community service allows participants to engage in hands-on social action and unite 

behind a cause, which strengthens their relationship to the issue. Hands-on social 

action programming is also great because your participants will be taking direct 

action on an issue, while maintaining a high level of engagement. When this style of 

programming is combined with an educational aspect, your members will also feel 

fulfilled because they are putting everything they learned about the cause to good use. 

Ex: Volunteering at a soup kitchen 

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Social Action Programming (Cont) Education and Action  

As great as hands-on social action is (and it is pretty great), it is important to keep in 

mind that a balance needs to be achieved between education and action. We don’t want 

participants to expect the same routine program style every time, and we don’t want 

them to feel as if the same issue is constantly being reused. Your participants are 

passionate about a wide array of issues and it is important to address their interests! 

Remember: action without education is nearly participation and education without 

action is a missed opportunity. Being able to transform an educational or awareness 

program into an action program is key; you want to strengthen your participants’ and 

your TYG’s relationship to social action and it is very impactful to show how easily you 

can make a difference.  So...What Do I Write Programs On?? 

I’m glad you asked!! First, you should make sure to ask your TYG what THEY are 

passionate about and what THEY believe is worth changing. You also must be aware of 

diverse political opinions and expressing all sides of the issue in an effort to not 

exclude others. As for issues to cover, the Religious Action Center has named these 

issues as 15 of the most prominent and pressing issues currently: 

1. Campaign Finance Reform 9. Health Care  2. Church and State Separation  10. Immigration Reform 3. Climate Change and Climate Justice 11. U.S. Support for Israel 4. Criminal Justice Reform 12. LGBTQ+ Equality 5. Disability Rights 13. Paid Family Leave 6. Economic Justice: Hunger 14. Reproductive Rights 7. Global Maternal and Child Health 15. Voting Rights 8. Gun Violence Prevention Go forth! Educate and advocate! 

 

10 

Pro(gram)s and Cons Adapted from Daniel Shapiro, NFTY-STR SAVP 2018-2019 

  PROS  CONS  

EDUCATION AND 

AWARENESS 

● Straightforward and factual 

● Gives context to an issue ● Gives PPs necessary 

context to form an informed opinion 

● Objective and unengaging 

● PPs may be bored 

  

EXPERIENTIAL 

● Presents issues in an interactive way 

● Activities engage PPs ● Gives PPs power to make 

their own decisions 

● Instructions could be misunderstood 

● GLs may be needed to facilitate the program best 

   

ACTIVISM 

● Empowers PPs as citizens 

● PPs can advocate for what they believe 

● Can be facilitated with or without programming 

● Some PPs may not be comfortable voicing their opinion (Perfectly okay!) 

● Must be politically inclusive and discuss all perspectives of an issue 

   

COMMUNITY  SERVICE 

● Can be facilitated with or without programming 

● Allows PPs to unite behind a cause 

● PPs see the direct effect of their work  

● Tangible difference made 

● Make sure PPs don’t feel as though they are being “put to work” 

● Must reflect PPs interests and passions 

● Need a variety of programming 

 

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(Net)Work It! 

Goals: ● Be a cohesive unit to discuss ideas, support, and help each other ● Find ways for each and every TYG to make a real impact with local 

organizations ● Engage participants and instill a passion for social action 

surrounding important issues ● Empower each other and fellow participants ● Engage in acts of Tikkun Olam together 

Mitzvah Project Catalog: One project I would like to work on this year is working with TYGs to find local organizations with which middle schoolers can create passionate and empowering mitzvah projects. Then, creating a catalog for our NFTY678 members to look through so as to create an excitement for activism and social justice from a young age. I will need all of your help in order to make this dream a reality and I cannot wait to get started! Good Goals: In order to achieve your goals in the most efficient and effective way possible, you should utilize the acronym S.M.A.R.T. This stands for: Specific (Know exactly what you want to accomplish.) Measurable (Your goal should be quantifiable so you can track progress.) Achievable (Be realistic. Be aware of your limits.) Relevant (Make sure it is a rational and practical goal) Time-Bound (Know when you should complete your goal by) What Are Your Goals?:  Project Ideas (for yourself and your network) 

●    

●    

●    12 

Action Plan  Adapted from The Project Courage Planning Form by Robert Feder, 

NFTY-STR SAVP 2016-2017 

 Now that you’ve seen some of the ideas I’ve come up with, it’s time to start brainstorming some of your own! 

  Temple Youth Group(s) or Individual(s):  Supervising Coordinator:  Individual(s) Implementing The Project:   Is the project a one-time program or a sustainable program?   Total Project Budget: ______________________________________________   Proposed source for additional funds if needed: _____________________________________________  Project Description (1-2 paragraphs):  

 

Using a larger version of the following table, you can organize all of your ideas in one chart and create a tangible to-do list for yourself. 

Date   Task  Description  People Responsible 

       

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Action Plan (cont) 

1. What specific need does your project address in the local community? 

 

 

2. What specific Jewish Values are guiding your choice of project? Explain.  

 

 

 

3. Goals (goals are your big ideas of what you want to achieve during your 

program):  

 

 

4. Objectives (objectives are things you can prove and are testable and 

concrete; objectives must be achieved in order to reach the goals): 

  

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Fundraising  Adapted from Zoe Terner, NFTY-STR SAVP 2017-2018 

 

Fundraising is an essential component of social action. The money you 

raise or the items you donate support local organizations while engaging 

participants in significant social action. Some of you here may be a Fundraising 

Vice President (FVP) or have one on your TYG board. FVPs and SAVPs are 

charged with the task of TYGs fundraising efforts. This partnership is essential 

to a successful fundraiser.  

 

Fundraising can be complicated. You must ensure that you are utilizing 

the most effective and inclusive fundraising methods possible. The SAVP and 

FVP, as the people in charge of your fundraisers, help set the tone of your event. 

It is CRUCIAL to ensure that, throughout your fundraising efforts, no one feels 

excluded or unable to contribute to your cause. Fundraising isn’t just a way to 

give back to your community, but it’s an outlet to strengthen your participants’ 

bonds with each other and their passion for social action. This experience that 

should be available to everyone. 

 

In order to design an inclusive fundraiser, you should consider a few key 

things. If you’re asking teens to raise funds or bring in items, be aware on if you 

are asking for too much or if it will exclude teens who don’t have such items at 

their disposal. Don’t be afraid to ask your teens to participate, so long as you are 

aware and sympathetic of everyone’s ability to contribute. 

 

15 

Fundraising Continued 

Created by Natalie Barman, NFTY-STR SAVP 2012-2013 and adapted by Robert Feder, NFTY-STR SAVP 2016-2017 

The following email format can serve as a template as a way to reach out to and 

request donations (both monetary and in items) from different organizations and 

individuals. Don’t be afraid to personalize your email and adapt it to fit your 

fundraiser’s purpose and needs, as well as make it relevant to the recipient. However, 

you must not send any actual emails before receiving approval from your advisor! In 

this request, you represent your youth group and your temple, and your advisor must 

review your request for funds to ensure that it complies with your temple’s 

fundraising policies. Finally, regardless of their response, follow-up with the recipient 

and thank them for their consideration.  

Date Dear Mr./Ms. _____________,   Begin by saying who you are, the position, and what organization you represent. Make sure to spell out the name of your TYG before using the acronym.   State what your TYG is doing (event, etc.) and why (what the cause/organization is). Write the date or dates of the project. If there is an actual event involved, invite the person to it.  Include some details about the project in the next paragraph. Keep it brief, but make sure the reader is able to gain a better sense of what the project is.   State the goal of the fundraising project. Tell the reader that every donation helps and then ask for their support. Make the reader aware of what it is you are what it is you are asking them to consider donating i.e. money, food, supplies, etc.   Thank the reader in advance. Tell them if they have any questions about the project to feel free to call you. Provide a phone number!   Sincerely, (Signature)  Your Name  TYG Social Action Vice President 2019-2020 

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Camp Jenny Camp Jenny is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts about being an SAVP and a NFTY-STR participant. Camp Jenny is NFTY STR and SAR’s Mitzvah Corp Project that takes place every year at URJ Camp Coleman during Memorial Day Weekend. Here, we provide a free summer camp experience to the students of F.L. Stanton Elementary School from impoverished Atlanta communities. NFTYites across both regions serve as staff members for our campers and fundraise for Camp Jenny throughout the year.  

Campers have to earn their way to CJ by following the acronym CAMP:  Come to school  Attendance  Make an effort  Parent participation 

Just like the campers have to earn their spot to Camp Jenny, so do we! The Camp Jenny Teen Volunteer application is released on the Camp Jenny Facebook page and website in the fall. This is when you will have the opportunity to apply to be one of the amazing participants staffing CJ. Teens can apply for the positions of Staff-in-Training (9th grade only), Specialist (10-12th grade), Counselor (10-12th grade), Senior Specialist (11-12th grade), Senior Counselor (11-12th grade), Head Specialist (11-12th grade), and Unit Head (11-12th grade). I strongly suggest and encourage all of you to apply to be staff at Camp Jenny 2020 to have the experience of a lifetime. 

What can I do to get involved? I’m glad you asked! 

● Plan a Camp Jenny fundraiser!- As SAVP you can create a fundraiser in your temple and TYG. Camp Jenny doesn’t happen unless we (TYGs and congregations of STR and SAR) collectively raise $75,000 to send every camper to Camp Jenny, and any amount donated is greatly appreciated!  ● Encourage members of your TYG to apply for Camp Jenny staff positions!  ● Apply to Camp Jenny yourself!! 

17 

Resources Me!: I truly want to see you all succeed! Please never hesitate to reach out to me 

no matter about what. (All my contact information is at the end of this packet) I 

can’t wait for our friendship and partnership to grow. Let’s change the world!! 

This Network: Each one of us in this room has made a commitment to bettering 

the world around us and when one of us succeeds, we all succeed. Feel free to 

reach out about anything whether it’s to come up with a program or just to chat 

:)  

Your TYG Board: Because you are likely working with multiple other people to 

facilitate the success of your TYG, it is important to remember that you are all 

teammates working together for a common goal. Feel free to bounce ideas off 

each other and ask for help and support from your fellow board members. 

Your TYG Advisor: This is your most direct adult partnership. Your advisor 

wants you to succeed and will support and trust you throughout your term. 

Our Regional Advisor, Julie: Julie has so much experience and wisdom so feel 

free to reach out and remember that she is here for all of us. 

The URJ: www.urj.org  

NFTY: www.nfty.org  

NFTY-STR: www.southerntropical.nfty.org  

Camp Jenny: www.campjenny.org  

The Religious Action Center: www.rac.org  

Youth Group Social Action Resources: https://nfty.org/resources/youth-group-administration/social-action/  

NFTY Social Action Program Bank: https://nfty.org/resources/program-bank/social-action/  

 

18 

About Me Name: Haley Stav 

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her 

Birthday: October 31st (Halloween...spooky) 

TYG: PARTY 

 

Let’s Chat! 

Instagram: @haleystav 

Snapchat: hayrae6118 (don’t ask...it was middle school) 

Facebook: Haley Stav 

Spotify: Haley Stav  

Phone Number: 954-393-2436 

Email: haleystav@gmail.com (str-savp@nfty.org after June 1st) 

 

Some Fun Facts: 

1. I’ve lived in 3 different states. 

2. I can’t ride a two-wheeled bike. (I know; it’s sad) 

3. I play two instruments: guitar and ukulele. 

4. I lied on my license and said I was 5’3” 

4.5. I’m 5’2”. 

5.  My last name means Autumn in Hebrew. 

19 

About You  

My name is ___________________________, my preferred pronouns are 

___________, and I want to change the world for the better. 

 What issues are you passionate about? 

●    

●   

●    

What can you do to enact real, tangible change in these areas? 

●    

●    

 Grade:  TYG:  

This or That!  

Apple Music OR Spotify  Youtube  OR Netflix  Cats OR Dogs  Instagram  OR Snapchat 

 

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