United Synagogue Youth

Summer Programs Preliminary Registration Open

mhalpern — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:10:49 +0000

Preliminary Registration for 2012 USY Summer Programs is now open. Spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for registration material or go to www.usy.org/escape for more information.

Calling all Leaders: USY Wants You!

mhalpern — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:08:06 +0000

Every year, USY’s officers select Committee Chairs to help with programs and initiatives that advance USY … and they want you! Being a Committee Chair (also known as “International General Board”) is a great way to be a leader in USY, develop your skills, and make an impact. Click here to download the 2012 International USY Committee Chair application to learn more.

USY 2011 International Convention Makes an Impact

mhalpern — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:27:51 +0000

USY’s 2011 International Convention continues to build was an en”light”ening week. From incredible speakers and programs, reunions with friends, a Guinness World Record Attempt, and more, Philadelphia was the City of Fun and USY. Check out pictures of all the activities and relive every moment through our IC 2011 Twitter feed.

Installation of Officers

mhalpern — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:45:19 +0000

The business portion of the 2011 USY International Convention concluded with the installation of the 2011 USY International Executive Board. The evening also featured presentation of USY Chapter of the Year and moving tributes to Jules A. Gutin, who is completing more than 40 years working with USY and will be transitioning into the position of Senior Education Consultant for USCJ, where he will have the opportunity to teach and impact Conservative Jews of all ages across North America. USY honors Jules and thanks him for making USY what it is today.

Heschel Honor Society

mhalpern — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:38:18 +0000

Members of USY’s Abraham Joshual Heschel Honor Society were recognized for their commitment to Jewish study and community service. The program also featured a presentation by Marc Elliot, who lives each day with Tourette’s Syndrome and spoke candidly about “What Makes You Tic.”

Dreidel Challenge

mhalpern — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:34:54 +0000

More than 900 delegates and staff at the USY International Convention attempted to break a Guinness record of the most dreidels spinning simultaneously for 10 seconds each. That sounds easy, but as it turns out it is a very long time for a dreidel to spin. With smiles on their faces and laughter in the air, the group readied themselves, steadied their hands, and spun without abandon. At the end, we believe we broke the record with an unofficial count of 602 spinners successfully completing the challenge. Kol HaKavod! Congratulations to everyone.

Social Action Projects

mhalpern — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:00:19 +0000

Each year, the USY International Convention participates in social action programming designed to help enhance awareness of projects that are repairing our world each day. The projects selected for this year’s convention were designed to engage delegates in hands-on activities that make a true impact on the community. From learning about AIPAC to making and packing bears for Bears from Bergenfield, which takes new and gently-used stuffed animals and donates them to children who are victims of terror in Israel, USYers had a true opportunity to repair the world.

Israel-themed Sessions

mhalpern — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:00:49 +0000

In demonstration of our commitment to the State of Israel, delegates participated in Israel-themed sessions designed to focus attention on the rich culture that makes up the Israeli Landscape. From Israeli Dance and Music to Food to Sports, USYers were able to experience Israel as a living land, even from more than 6,000 miles away.

Elections

mhalpern — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:31:25 +0000

As part of the 2011 USY International Convention, delegates elect the 2012 USY International Executive Board:

President: Joshua Ull, Hagalil
Israel Affairs Vice President: Ryan Sherman, Seaboard
Religion/Education Vice President: Jonathan “JoHo” Horowitz, NERUSY
Social Action/Tikun Olam Vice President: Maya Levine, CRUSY
Membership/Kadima Vice President: Ethan Shapiro, Hanegev
Communications Vice President: Danielle Leopold, EPA

Israel Fair

mhalpern — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:51:22 +0000

On Monday afternoon, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown hotel was transformed into an Israeli fair, with tasty falafel lunch, various booths set up to learn about Israel, play games and purchase regional regalia.