For over 75 years, Reform Jewish teens have come together in NFTY programs to make new friends, learn about Judaism, and live their Jewish values. The promise of fun may be the first motivator, but the result drives NFTY's teens to be part of Jewish communal life long after high school has ended.
Fostering Strong Jewish Ties
Time spent with other Jewish teens in NFTY programs ranging from a few hours to a full weekend, opens a teen’s eyes to opportunities and challenges. Teens often attend their first NFTY event without knowing a single other attendee – but leave with new friends and lasting connections.
Guiding Teens as Leaders
There are many ways for your child and their peers to plan and lead activities at NFTY, helping them feel empowered to become active, responsible members in their communities.
Being Part of a Family
NFTY is part of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) network, including summer camps, Israel programs, and community service travel experiences. If this is your child’s first URJ experience, they (and you!) will be welcomed with open-arms into our community.
A Welcoming and Nurturing Space
Our highest priority is the well-being of every member of our community. We are intentional in the hiring and training of our staff to make sure we create the most inclusive space for our teens.
Helpful Information
Get In Touch
Rabbi Andrew H. Terkel
NFTY South Area Manager254-410-6703
Rabbi Andrew Terkel was born and raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and grew up active in his synagogue, NFTY-TOR, and URJ Greene Family Camp….Team Members

Rabbi Andrew H. Terkel
NFTY South Area Manager254-410-6703
Rabbi Andrew Terkel was born and raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and grew up active in his synagogue, NFTY-TOR, and URJ Greene Family Camp. His experiences with Jewish youth organizations inspired a lifelong love of Jewish communal work, songleading, and all things camp and NFTY related. Rabbi Terkel attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and International Studies, then worked as a traveling Jewish educator at the Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, MS before beginning his rabbinic studies at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem and Los Angeles. After being ordained in 2014 Andrew served as the first assistant rabbi at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) synagogue in Charleston, SC, it’s first assistant rabbi since its founding in 1749. There he focused on youth engagement, education, and NFTY, serving as NFTY-SAR’s Rabbinic Liason and on faculty at URJ Camp Coleman. In 2016 Rabbi Terkel moved to Dallas to serve as the Director of Year Round Programs at URJ Greene Family Camp, planning and running immersive Jewish experiences for all ages of youth, families, and adults, and enhancing the Jewish educational aspects of summer camp and year round events. In June 2020 NFTY reorganized and Rabbi Terkel became NFTY’s South Area Manager overseeing NFTY-TOR, NFTY-SO, NFTY-SAR, and NFTY-SAR from his home base in Dallas, Texas.Rabbi Terkel is married to Hannah Rubin-Schlansky, a Jewish educator at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas. They met during their HUC-JIR Year in Israel studies and now have two children, Avi and Micah, and a goldendoodle, Mollie.