The global network connecting Masorti/Conservative Youth around the world held its International Conference in Jerusalem from June 26-30. The event, themed Sustainability Through a Jewish Lens: NOAM Leaders Shaping Tomorrow, gathered 35 NOAM leaders from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, France, Germany, Israel, Spain, the UK, and Ukraine.

With panels, workshop sessions, visits, and tours, the conference program included activities led by prominent figures such as Dr. Jeremy Benstein, founder of the Heschel Center; former Member of Knesset Prof. Alon Tal; Vice Chair of the World Zionist Organization Dr. Yizhar Hess; Greenpeace Israel CEO Dr. Jonathan Aikhenbaum; and Masorti and MERCAZ Olami Executive Director Rabbi Mauricio Balter, among others. You can see the full program and learn more about the guest speakers here.

Our NOAMists also led various sessions, one of the opening ones being "Getting to Know the Snifim," led by NOAM AmLat Mazkira Ronit Tempel and Marom Shnat Coordinator Denise Rappaport.

NOAM Olami Director Ofir Itah Senderey shared: "It was so significant to see different representatives from NOAM branches around the world meet and connect after more than six years since the last international conference. The curiosity and intelligent questions of the various representatives during the seminar aroused pride and gave a feeling that the current generation of leaders in the movement shows responsibility and care for the important and existential issue of sustainability."

In Kiryat Ye'arim, the group met Talia Schneider, founder of Beit Yaar - Permaculture Israel, an NGO that promotes and supports a sustainable lifestyle in the country through permaculture, which focuses on creating self-sufficient and sustainable agricultural ecosystems.

Back in Jerusalem, they met Natan Maze, the Educational Director of Bar-Kayma, an association that takes environmental action to build local communities and connect sustainable practices with Jewish and Israeli traditions. The group also participated in an urban sustainability tour of the city.

Maze shared: "I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting a group of young people full of enthusiasm and a longing for learning and deepening their understanding of the structure of existence. The subject of sustainability seemed to resonate with them, opening a gate and a window to change their perception of the reality of life in which we find ourselves."

Most activities were held at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center. Shabbat was celebrated with the local Moreshet Israel community, where the group joined Rabbi Shuki Zehavi for a meaningful tefilah experience.

On the last day of the conference, participants visited the Hiriya Recycling Park, east of Tel Aviv. This former landfill has been transformed into an industrial park with state-of-the-art waste treatment facilities. There, they learned how waste impacts the environment and what can be done to minimize it. The conference concluded with a powerful closing session where participants shared ideas on maintaining the new connections they had formed.

We thank all NOAM snifim that joined us. Their attendance, involvement, and support truly made a difference and contributed to the conference's success.