Collaborating for Success: North Shore & Boston Teens Learn the Value of Collaboration in Leadership

North Shore and Prozdor Teens Take On Leadership Challenges During Shabbaton Weekend Retreat in New Hampshire

(Camp Yavneh, Northwood, NH) During the first weekend of October, more than 50 teens from around the North Shore, Boston and the greater Boston area traveled to Camp Yavneh in Northwood, NH for a Leadership Retreat created by North Shore Teen Initiative and its partners. From Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, Jewish teens met, socialized and joined forces to navigate team-building exercises, leadership development, Shabbat services, group challenges and social programming.

This “Shabbaton” is the second of its kind, created and executed via a collaboration of Boston’s North Shore temples, youth groups and organizations, and Prozdor High School of Hebrew College in Newton Centre. The retreat was designed to develop and reveal leadership and group skills that teens can use for a lifetime. The weekend also offered opportunities to work and play with friends in hands-on situations that connect teens to their peers and to Judaism in an environment that encourages critical thinking, confidence, mentoring and a sense of “tikkun olam,” the obligation to "make the world a better place."

“NSTI has spent five busy years working with our partners to elevate programming for Jewish teens of different backgrounds and experiences on the North Shore, “ said Adam Smith, Executive Director of North Shore Teen Initiative. “Our community’s focus on youth engagement continues to grow and the result is that teens have a wide range of options for social, cultural, travel and personal enrichment opportunities throughout the year and the North Shore.”

Along with professional staff, high school juniors and seniors served as team and event leaders for the 8th, 9th and 10th grade group. The camp on Lucas Pond, autumn colors and great weather made an idyllic setting for teens to enjoy ropes course, games, canoeing, music, movies, a blazing bonfire and late-night laughter.

The Shabbaton Weekend Retreat was made possible by a JFNS Community Innovation Grant and designed in conjunction with partners whose staff ran a wide range of programs including Adam Smith, Executive Director of North Shore Teen Initiative, Dan Brosgol, Director of Prozdor, Jed Filler, Director of Education at Congregation Shirat Hayam, and Rachael Pass, Youth Director for SMARTY YAiSH. 

 To view photos or more info visit nsteeninitiative.org, facebook.com/nsti18, email info@nsteeninitiative.org or call 781.244.5544. The North Shore Teen Initiative (NSTI) is an organization committed to building community among Jewish teens through institutional collaboration, a rich spectrum of innovative programming and participation in national opportunities.