The NELFTY Region

The NELFTY Region as we knew it "back then" has undergone a number of changes in the last 30 years or so.

First of all, there is no NELFTY anymore. NELFTY has been rebranded as the National Federation of Temple Youth – North East Lakes Region or NFTY-NEL.

Also, the NELFTY region has changed shape and size; they've added new cities and, most wonderfully, many new temples.

Below you'll find a list of the current temples in the NFTY-NEL Region with the "new" temples in italics.

And finally, a tribute to the temple in Niagara Falls. The temple there still stands, very much worn and forlorn in a near-forgotten part of town. This aged synagogue has no children left and, of course, no youth group. The upstairs classrooms are dark and empty. The small social hall, though, came alive last winter for a meal after the funeral of Lance Rosenthal's mom. Danny Gottlieb, Marty Friedman and I will never forget the warmth shown to us and the way the remaining members of the congregation wrapped their arms around the Rosenthal Family.

– Bruce Hennes (Canton Temple Israel '72)


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NELFTY Reunion
(Classes of 1970 - 1973)
Cleveland, 1980

To our knowledge, there have been only two NELFTY reunions. In 1980, the classes of 1970-1973 got together in Cleveland. You'll find the group photo below. Find out just who these people are (hint: that's Terry Pollack in the back row, center, with the madras shirt and moustache).

NELFTY Reunion - Cleveland, 1980

NELFTY Reunion
(Classes of 1969 - 1974)
Toronto, 2003

In 2003, the NELFTY classes of 1969-1974 got together in Toronto. Below, you'll see the group photo from that event.

Find out here who's in the photo below.

NELFTY Reunion - Toronto, 2003