Worcester Emanuel Sinai Temple Youth (WESTY) is a youth group for local 8th through 12th graders. It is a branch of the North American Federation for Temple Youth (NFTY) and part of the Northeast region. We are proud of our reputation for fun, meaningful, Jewish, experiences.

2010-2011 Schedule of Events

November 6 Torahthon Jewish Learning

November 12-14 NFTY-NE Fall Conclavette

November 21 WESTY Event

December 11-12 WESTY Shul-in at Sinai

December 26-30 NFTY-NE December Institute

January 22 WESTY Trip

January 28-30 NFTY-NE Winter Wonderland

February 5-6 JOSTY Shul-in for 7^th and 8^th graders

February 13 WESTY Mitzvah Day

February 18-22 NFTY National Convention in Texas

March 4-6 TYGor Weekend

March 19-20 WESTY Shul-in at Emanuel

April 1-3 NFTY-NE Spring Conclavette

April 9 WESTY’S BamBLUEzled MA dance! 630-1130

April 24th cooking with Lidor at BI 10:00

April 30-May 1 ProvTY’s Music & Mitzvah

May 1 Walk For Hunger

May 7-8 NFTY-NE Senior Kallah

May 15 WESTY Final Event

June 2 WESTY Elections

June 5 WESTY Board Instalation

2010-2011 (5771) WESTY Board

WESTY Advisor: Beth Meltzer westyadvisor@gmail.com or (508) 366-9457

WESTY President: Zoe Summit: zoesummit@yahoo.com or (508) 829-9755

Programing Vice President: Sam Shuster
Membership Vice President: Ian Gansler
Social Action Vice President: Hannah Boronski
Religious and Cultural Vice President: Gabrielle Jette
Treasurer: Josh Kapiloff
Secretary: Samantha Greenberg
NFTY-Representative: Sarina Lapin
12th grade Rep: Danny Friedenthal-Pano
11th grade Rep: Sarah Becker
10th grade Rep: Josh Hubbard
9th grade Rep: Marissa Levitt

Reform Jewish Movement Condemns Homophobic Bullying

Provides Resources for Congregations, Teens, Parents  

New York, NY, October 2010 – In response to the spate of recent suicides, including that of Tyler Clementi, related to homophobic bullying, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

We at the Union for Reform Judaism are deeply saddened by the loss of these young lives. These tragedies underscore the dangerous consequences of bullying in general and ongoing public insensitivity to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The Union encourages every congregation and school to create an anti-bullying program that addresses both sexual orientation and gender identity. We must not stand idly by and wait for the next tragedy to occur. We must protect our children against the virtual and viral bullying, teasing and harassment that have become an epidemic in our society. Tyler Clementi's death shall not be in vain. We must teach our children that each of us is created b'tselem Elohim, in the image of God.

The Union's resources on bullying about all issues, harassment and sexuality – created for congregations, teens and parents – are available at www.urj.org/lgbt. These materials, already being used by congregations throughout North America, are grounded in Jewish texts and tradition and include information on dealing with virtual and viral bullying, a primer for LBGT inclusion in Jewish communities, an anti-bullying pledge, information on Help Lines, programmatic resources, advocacy initiatives and more. Please check back often as this page is updated regularly.

We hope these resources will help ensure that no child is ever again bullied to death.