On Sunday, February 22, the 2015-2016 NFTY North American Board was elected. Their terms will formally begin on June 20, when they are installed at Mechina, which will take place at the URJ Kutz Camp, June 19-23, 2015.
From left to right: Jeremy Cronig, Lexi Chavin, Taylor Gleeson, Celia Tedde, Joey Penn, and Aly Silverberg
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Jeremy Cronig, President-elect
Current Leadership Position:
President, NFTY Northeast Lakes (NEL)
Home Congregation:
Temple Emanu El in Orange Village, OH
Jeremy Cronig, current president of NFTY’s Northeast Lakes Region (NEL) and a member of Temple Emanu El in Orange Village, OH, is the new NFTY President. Jeremy, third generation NFTY-ite, is an alumni of GUCI, Kutz Camp, and NFTY in Israel. He has also worked in the Madrichim program at his synagogue for four years. In sync with NFTY’s social action initiatives, Jeremy works closely with Metro-IAF Greater Cleveland Congregations around gun violence prevention. His platform also consists of implementing Action Initiatives (a “modern” form of engaging in social action), and expanding connections between youth leadership and professionals. Musically inclined, Jeremy plays banjo and ukulele, and was a songleader in NFTY-NEL.
Lexi Chavin, Programming Vice President-elect
Current Leadership Position:
Programming Vice President, NFTY Southern Area Region (SAR)
Home Congregation:
Kahal Kodesh Beth Elohim in Charleston, SC
Lexi Chavin, current Programming Vice President of NFTY’s Southern Area Region (SAR) and member of Kahal Kodesh Beth Elohim in Charleston, SC is NFTY’s new Programming VP. Lexi, former Camp Jenny counselor and L’taken alumni, is also an alumni of URJ Camp Coleman and Kutz Camp. She has worked in the Madrichim program at KKBE for four years, and attended Biennial in 2013. When she’s not “living and dying NFTY” Lexi plays guitar and is on the African Drum Corps. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and wrote her high school thesis on the achievement gap in socioeconomic status.
Taylor Gleeson, Social Action Vice President-elect
Current Leadership Position:
Social Action Vice President, NFTY Missouri Valley Region (MV)
Home Congregation:
Temple Emanuel in Denver, CO
Taylor Gleeson, currently serving her second term as the regional Social Action Vice President of NFTY’s Missouri Valley Region (MV), has been elected NFTY’s Social Action VP. Taylor, member of Temple Emanuel in Denver, is an alumna of Kutz Camp, L’taken, and the NFTY SAVP trip at the Religious Action Center. She has attended Shwayder Camp for six years, an Israel Study tour in 2014, and works in the Madrichim program at her synagogue. Additionally, Taylor is a counselor at Camp Rainbow, NFTY MV’s partner camp for children with cancer and other blood related diseases.
Celia Tedde, Religious and Cultural Vice President-elect
Current Leadership Position:
Religious and Cultural Vice President, NFTY Southern California Region (SoCal)
Home Congregation:
Beth Israel in San Diego, CA
Celia Tedde, presently serving as the Religious and Cultural Vice President of NFTY’s Southern California Region (SOCAL), is the new Religious and Cultural VP for NFTY. She is a member of Beth Israel in San Diego, CA, and an alumni of URJ Camp Newman and Kutz Camp. Celia is also an alumna of Nashir, two NFTY Conventions, two Biennials, and the RAC’s L’taken Seminar. A student at the San Diego Jewish Academy, Celia worked in the Madrichim program at her congregation, and has been involved with theater since age seven.
Joey Penn, Membership Vice President-elect
Current Leadership Position:
Membership and Financial Vice President, NFTY Northeast (NE)
Home Congregation:
Congregation Shalom in Chelmsford, MA
Joey Penn, Membership and Financial Vice President of NFTY Northeast (NE), is the new NFTY Membership VP. Joey is a member of Congregation Shalom in Chelmsford, MA, and an alum of Mitzvah Corps Israel and L’taken. He has attended two NFTY Conventions and two Biennials. Joey is involved in the Madrichim program at his congregation, and was a staff member at Camp Max Strauss.
Aly Silverberg, Communications Vice President-elect
Current Leadership Position:
Communications Vice President, NFTY Northeasts Lakes Region (NEL)
Home Congregation:
Har Zion in Thornhill, ON, Canada
Aly Silverberg, Communication Vice President of NFTY’s Northeast Lakes Region (NEL), is the new NFTY Communications VP. Our first Canadian board member since 2007, and a member of Har Zion in Thornhill, ON, Canada. Aly is also the Co-founder of Jake’s Collection Fund, a Sick Kid’s Foundation for Ewing’s Sarcoma Research founded in 2011. She is active in the drama program in high school, played piano for 14 years, and attended March of the Living in 2014.
