Some 1,200 young adults take part in Jewish conference aimed at cultivating the community’s next generation of leaders and activists.
By GIL STERN STERN SHEFLER
Some 1,200 young adults took part in a Jewish conference that ended on Tuesday, aimed at cultivating the community’s next generation of leaders and activists.Tribefest, a two-day gathering organized by the Jewish Federations of North American, took place in Las Vegas and drew participants in their 20s and 30s for a series of lectures and music concerts.“The first-time event, with its mix of music, learning, social networking and fun, offers a unusual range of choices, from concerts by bands like Soulico to handson sessions like “Punk Jews: Unconventional and Awesome Expressions of Judaism” and “Gonzo Judaism: Brash, Bold and In Your Face,” a press release read.Participants included actress/scientist Mayim Bialik of Blossom fame, Rep. Debra Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) and hip hop artists Miri Ben-Ari and YLove.Steven Scheck of Miami, the Jewish Federations of North America’s 2010-2011 National Young Leadership co-chairman, spoke of how TribeFest was meant to connect with younger Jews.“The Jewish Federation movement is constantly evolving as we learn more about our target audiences and act responsively to what is needed, and TribeFest is a prime example of this kind of adaptability,” he said.