Spring Kallah was about to begin.  I was pretty nervous.  I didn’t know what to expect from the experience I was about to have.  As everyone started to arrive I got worried.  I felt I didn’t fit in.  Everyone had their group of friends and knew a lot about each other.  I knew no one except my fellow KESTY members.  I tried to be optimistic but I kept feeling like an outsider.  The next day I hung out with my friends from KESTY but didn’t really interact with other people.  Over the course of the day I started to loosen up and talk to other people.  I finally opened up and started to get into the activities that we were doing.  I made amazing friends over the course of the weekend and will never forget the great experience I had.  This event was a great experience after all.  Once I found the courage to talk to people who I didn’t know, I become great friends with them and had so much more fun.  My first NFTY event is something I will never forget.

Got questions about KESTY? Want to get involved, but don't know how? Talk to your KESTY board members or grade representative.

Is there an event you're dying to have? Something you want to see in our newsletter? Got a fun way to get everyone excited about KESTY and NFTY-MAR? We want to know! No, we're not just saying that. WE LOVE IDEAS! Talk to a board member any time at synagogue or by email the President, Adam Tananbaum, at youthadvisor@templeemanuelmd.org, attention: Adam.

KESTY Board

• President: Adam Tanenbaum

• Programming Vice President: Jamie Lazarus

• Communications Vice President: Brina Seidel

• Social Action Vice President: Ray Paleg

• Membership Vice President: Sophie DeWaal

• Religious and Cultural Vice President; Schuyler Parsonnet

• Chair of Programming: Cayla Landesberg

• Chair of Communications: Ryan Solomon

Grade Representatives (Is your grade not listed here? That means we don't have a representative for your grade. If you're interested, talk to a board member!)

• 9th Grade: TBD

• 10th Grade: Leora Gottlieb

• 11th Grade: Abby Frank

KESTY Youth Group Advisor: Jard Pashko, youthadvisor@templeemanuelmd.org

Shalom Temple Emanuel!

Hello! My name is Jared and I am excited to be the new KESTY/JETY advisor. It's going to be a great year and I hope you'll get involved. Even if you've never been to an event before or been involved with KESTY, I encourage you to try it out and come see what it's all about. Feel free to email me with questions or just to say hi - YouthAdvisor@TempleEmanuelMD.org. I look forward to meeting you! L'shana Tovah, Jared Pashko

My name is Adam Tanenbaum and I am the 2010–2011 KESTY President. I am a senior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. If I were stranded on a desert island and I could only take one thing with me, it would be my trusty guitar. Two of my greatest passions are playing guitar and singing. Whenever I have any down time at all, I am either playing guitar by myself at home, or jamming with a friend of mine. I am also a NFTY-MAR regional song leader and I am very active among the region. At school, I am a member of the track and field team where I throw shot put and discus, and a member of the Tri-M (Musical  Honors Society. KESTY has got some great ideas planned out for this year, and if anyone (and I mean anyone) has an idea for a program or event, let me know in person or send me an email to youthadvisor@templeemanuelmd.org, attention: Adam. L'shanah tovah, Adam

My name is Sophie Kobina Smith DeWaal and I am your Membership Vice President (or MVP as I like to refer to myself). I LOVE mac and cheese, I’m a senior at John F. Kennedy High School, and this year I’m on the soccer, swimming, and softball teams. In KESTY we do super fun events YEAR ROUND like falafel fest, lock-ins at the synagogue, and various NFTY events. But forget what I have to say, come check our events out for yourself, Can’t wait to see you there!

I am Ray Paleg, your Social Action Vice President for this upcoming year. I am a sophomore at Albert Einstein High School. I love sewing, eating, and dancing, and I am currently the captain of Poms at my school. This year I hope to incorporate social action into more events, and have a few volunteer days where we can spend time together while helping our community. I am extremely excited for what this year has in store, and if you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to come and talk to me.

My name is Brina, and I’m so excited to be the Communications Vice President this year! I’m a junior, and I go to Bethesda – Chevy Chase High School. I’m probably the only Jewish Irish dancer you’ll ever meet. I should also point out that you’re looking at our main communications project this year: The KESTY Konnection! This newsletter has existed for more than twenty years, but it fizzled out a few years ago. We’re bringing it back full-force, and we want your submissions! If you’ve got a story about a Jewish experience or a social action cause or a fun fact or anything else you want to see in here, please contact me at youthadvisor@templeemanuelmd.org, attention: Brina. Thanks so much! Brina