Motivated by a passion for global Jewish connections, a group of North American alumni of NFTY-The Reform Jewish Youth Movement have organized a meet-up for young adults in London from April 11-17 in collaboration with the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).

Former NFTY President and current member of the Executive Board of the WUPJ Andrew Keene developed the idea for this unique and meaningful travel experience: “There is an entire Jewish world beyond the United States. In some ways it is comfortingly similar and in others strikingly different. It is our obligation as American Reform Jews to be part of a larger conversation and a larger movement, one that spans over 50 countries – and growing – and touches the lives of nearly two million people.”

This entrepreneurial model of millennial engagement is the cornerstone of the URJ’s new NFTY Alumni Network which is empowering alumni to spearhead projects – Shabbat and holiday celebrations, virtual hangouts for college students, North American gatherings – for other alumni.

The group members, traveling to London from the US and Israel, will tour Jewish London, connect with other Jewish millennials in London, and participate in the biennial conference of the European Union of Progressive Judaism (EUPJ). On Wednesday, April 13 the NFTY Alumni Network and URJ Kutz Camp will sponsor a larger gathering of alumni and friends of URJ Youth Programs.

A highlight of the EUPJ conference for the NFTY group will be a Shabbat experience held at both West London Synagogue and Liberal Jewish Synagogue with over 300 progressive Jews representing nearly 25 countries and 100 reform congregations and communities around the world. The 90th anniversary of the WUPJ, founded in London, will be celebrated during the EUPJ conference as well.

Individuals can follow the group throughout their trip in the NFTY Alumni Facebook Group.