TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Finding Aid to the National Federation of Temple Youth Records. 1939-1974.
Manuscript Collection No. 266
Introduction |
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| Repository: | The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
| Creator: | National Federation of Temple Youth. |
| Title: | National Federation of Temple Youth Records. |
| Dates: | 1939-1974 |
| Quantity: | 2.0 linear feet (5 Hollinger boxes) |
| Abstract: | The National Federation of Temple Youth Records contain the records of the National Federation of Temple Youth, which was founded in 1939 under the sponsorship of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The collection consists of correspondence, constitution, conference material and nearprint. Included in the collection is some material from the National Jewish Youth Conference, an organization with similar goals. |
| Collection Number: | MS-266 |
| Language: | Collection material in English. |
Institutional Sketch
The National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) was formed in 1939 under the supervision of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC). NFTY was formed by the Reform movement with the goal of garnering the interest and loyalty of their own youth to Judaism and the Reform movement. The result was a collection of high school youths formed into a national organization that emphasized educational religious programming. In doing this, NFTY became a paradigm for similar organizations in the Conservative and Orthodox movements.
NFTY distinguished themselves with their innovative approach to religious education, mainly being that their classes did not resemble traditional classrooms. In the 1950s and 1960s NFTY was immersed in the camping movement and later pioneered trips to Israel as an experiential education tool. The general approach of NFTY was to stress the experiences and emotions of the youths to make the learning experience more personal. It was hoped that this would have a lasting effect on the youth, endearing them to Judaism and the Reform community throughout their lives. Examples of this are the creative liturgy movement, the informal Jewish education, activities that emphasize participation, a lack of structure and authority, a focus on Jewish commitment, and a focus on social contacts among Jewish youths.
Scope and Content Note
The National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) records showcase an important transition in the history of the Reform movement. The records contain the creative liturgies and teaching styles used by the youths to make Judaism a living and vital aspect of their lives. By incorporating aspects of their own lives into traditional services with guitars, audience participation, and popular songs, they carved a space for themselves within the Reform movement. This is what the founders of NFTY were hoping for, though at its inception in 1939 they had no idea of the shape this would take.
Of special note are the proceedings of the first convention (1/1) and the programs notes from the first year (1/2). The Social Action material (4/1) is indicative of the times and shows how NFTY was on the forefront of social changes in America and the youth culture. Also important for researchers would be the file on Key Personnel which lists people that worked with NFTY through the years. (2/1).
Arrangement
The papers are divided into one series and arranged alphabetically within chronological order.
Conditions of Access and Use
Terms of Access
The collection is open for use; no restrictions apply.
Terms of Reproduction and Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce, with exceptions for fair use, may be obtained through the American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio. Please address queries to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives. For more information, see the American Jewish Archives copyright information webpage.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the National Federation of Temple Youth Records and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:
[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-266. National Federation of Temple Youth Records. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Provenance
The records were donated by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, NY and Leonard Troupp, 2002.
Processing Information
Processed by Christine A. Crandall, April 2002
Box and Folder Listing
| Series A. General. 1939-1974 | |||||||||||
| The National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) records contain the records of the National Federation of Temple Youth, which was founded in 1939 under the sponsorship of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The collection consists of correspondence, board meeting minutes, conference material, programs, and nearprint. The collection is contained within one series which is arranged alphabetically within chronological order. This series is arranged alphabetically within chronological order. | |||||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Proceedings. First Youth Convention. Union of American Hebrew Congregations 1939 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Program notes. 1939 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1945-1947 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1948 | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1948 | |||||||||
| 1 | 6 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1948 | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Minutes. Executive Board Meeting. Boston, Massachusetts. 11 Nov 1948 | |||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1949 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | Key Personnel. 1949-1966 | |||||||||
| 2 | 2 | Rosters. 1949-1966 | |||||||||
| 2 | 3 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1950 | |||||||||
| 2 | 4 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1951 | |||||||||
| 2 | 5 | Programs. 1952 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | Conclave rosters. 1954-1955 | |||||||||
| 3 | 2 | Programs. 1956 | |||||||||
| 3 | 3 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1957-1957 | |||||||||
| 3 | 4 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1960-1961 | |||||||||
| 3 | 5 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1962-1963, 1966 | |||||||||
| 3 | 6 | Conclaves. 1962-1963, 1967 | |||||||||
| 3 | 7 | President's Workshop. 1963 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 4 | 1 | Social Action Material. 1964-1965 | |||||||||
| 4 | 2 | Yearbook. 1965 | |||||||||
| 4 | 3 | Western National Federation of Temple YouthStudy Kallah. 1966 | |||||||||
| 4 | 4 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1967-1969 | |||||||||
| 4 | 5 | NFTY Times. 1968-1971 | |||||||||
| 4 | 6 | Pilgrimages. 1968-1970 | |||||||||
| 4 | 7 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1970 | |||||||||
| 4 | 8 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1971 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 1 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1972-1973 | |||||||||
| 5 | 2 | "How about This?" Kibbutz Town Meeting. Oct 1972 | |||||||||
| 5 | 3 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. 1974 | |||||||||
| 5 | 4 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 5 | Correspondence, Plans, Programs. undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 6 | Cultural Material. undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 7 | Pirke Noar. undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 8 | Provisional By-Laws. undated | |||||||||
Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA's online catalog.