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Building the Next Generation

Our community thrives because of the dedication of leaders who have nurtured Jewish life for decades. Recently, a long-time community leader reminded us of an essential truth: the future of Jewish leadership depends on how we engage and empower our young adults today. This call to action—to create meaningful opportunities for young adults—resonates deeply with our mission.

Like many communities, we face the reality that young adults often leave for education or career opportunities. This makes it even more important to create vibrant programming that keeps them connected to Jewish life and to each other, wherever they are—and ideally, to help them see Northeastern NY as a place to build their future.

Over the past few months, we’ve been revitalizing our Young Adult Division (YAD) with exciting events that blend social connection, Jewish tradition, and fun. Highlights include:

  • A pre-Rosh Hashanah honey tasting
  • A festive sukkah gathering
  • A young adult reception with Montana Tucker
  • Hiking adventures followed by a retro soda shoppe experience
  • Multiple winning rounds of trivia nights
  • Several new organized havurot (friends groups)

These programs have brought energy and engagement to our young adult community—and we’re just getting started.

To strengthen this effort, we’ve welcomed Parker Meyers to our team as our College to Community Coordinator, a role shared between Jewish Federation and Hillel. In addition to leading our young adult cohort, Parker helps local college students feel connected to our Jewish community—so that when they graduate, they see Northeastern NY not just as a place they studied, but as a home where they can build their lives. This work is essential to creating a pipeline of future leaders and families who will sustain Jewish life in the Capital District.

As we approach 2026, we’re planning even more:

  • Leadership development opportunities
  • Educational experiences that deepen Jewish knowledge and responsibility
  • Volunteer projects that strengthen community ties
  • Social activities that foster friendships and deeper connection

If you’re a young adult—or know someone who is—please encourage them to join us!

And if you’re from an earlier generation, we need your mentorship, support, and partnership to make these programs thrive. Together, we can pass on the mitzvah of building the next generation of Jewish leaders.