I am so thrilled to be in my new role as the NFTY Midwest Area Associate Manager, and therefore get to be working with the enthusiastic teens from NFTY CAR and five other NFTY regions all throughout the Midwest.  Before beginning this role, I worked on the Reform Teen Initiative in St. Louis – here, I spent 2 years building an initiative focused on teen engagement.  I had the opportunity to run middle school programs, immersive experiences, and leadership trainings.

My passion for working in the Reform Jewish professional world began when I was growing up.  I was an active member of NFTY Missouri Valley in middle and high school, making friendships and memories with other Jewish teens from across Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Colorado.  I also grew up attending URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute.  Here, I truly found my Jewish identity, and I can confidently say I wouldn’t be the Jewish adult I am today if it weren’t for Jewish summer camp.

With these past experiences, I’m thrilled to be working at the URJ with a variety of Jewish teen leaders and youth professionals who are also excited and passionate to bring NFTY, the reform youth movement, to their communities, and truly watch it thrive.  Even more so, in my first month, I have been blown away by the incredible leadership teens in Chicago show, and have enjoyed being welcomed into the community.

When I’m not gushing about Reform Jewish teens, you can find me working out at Orange Theory Fitness, eating ice cream, or talking about how much I love KU Basketball (Rock Chalk!)

Stacy Bernstein is the NFTY Midwest Area Associate Manager at the URJ.  She oversees six regions: Chicago, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Northern, Northeast Lakes, and Michigan.  Stacy went to the University of Kansas where she studied Elementary Educator and was an elementary school teacher for 2 years in Topeka, KS before coming back to St. Louis to work with the Reform Teen Initiative.  Stacy is thrilled to have made this leap in her career and is excited to get to continue meeting enthusiastic professionals in the Chicago area.