Throughout the summer, a group of spectacular teen leaders have been working together to plan a Teen Retreat to kick off the Buffalo Jewish Teen Initiative for teens entering grades 8-12! The Retreat will take place next Sunday, August 29 from 11 am-10 pm at Camp Centerland at the Irving M. Shuman campgrounds. The program will feature a mini color war, volunteer hours, zip lining, a movie, a campfire – plus – participants will brush up their leadership skills and explore how being Jewish can help them find strength even in hardest times. The retreat fee of $18 includes lunch, dinner, snacks, a t-shirt and all activities!  You can sign up here: bit.ly/JTITEENRETREAT

We are grateful to the Teen Retreat Planning Committee and wanted to share a bit about each one of these outstanding leaders:

Jenna Hecht (she/her): Jenna attends Grand Island High School where she will be entering 10th grade in September. She is involved in dance, gymnastics, music (flute, piano, and singing in choir & musicals), as well as the Miracle League of WNY.

Sarah Harmon (she/her): Sarah is entering 11th grade at Williamsville North High School. She loves to bake, cook, and do yoga.

Honey Lawson (they/them and he/him, they/them is preferred): Honey is homeschooled and entering 11th grade. Outside of schoolwork, they like to dance and help with their mom’s business.

Nathan Weiss (he/him): Nate is going into his senior year at Williamsville East, where he participates in track, cross country, and basketball.

Eli Feldstein (he/him): Eli is entering 8th grade at Transit Middle. He is a flutist, avid swimmer and rock wall climber.  Eli just hiked to the top of El Capitan in Yosemite!

Mazal Tov to Jenna, Sarah, Honey, Nathan, and Eli for all of their effort and energy planning next weekend’s Teen Retreat.

Questions? Please contact Ben Wolfson at ben@buffalojewishfederation.org.

If finances are a barrier to participation, please contact Ben directly.