Come join us for exciting virtual programming all summer long! #MyUSYfiSummer is open to all Jewish youth entering 5th grade through the Class of 2020.

How to Become a Jewish Rapper in an Hour (Middle School)

Get your own rap name, rap group, beatbox, spit a freestyle, write a song, and perform it, all while having enough time to rush out the door and get to your next class! This class will be led by the famous Jewish Rapper Kosha Dillz!

Program Date(s):
Wednesday August 5th, 4-5 PM

How to Become a Jewish Rapper in an Hour (High Schoolers)

Get your own rap name, rap group, beatbox, spit a freestyle, write a song, and perform it, all while having enough time to rush out the door and get to your next class! This class will be led by the famous Jewish Rapper Kosha Dillz!

Program Date(s):
Monday August 3rd, 4-5 PM

Executive Functioning for 6-8th Graders

We’ll teach hands-on strategies to help students apply strategies that allow them to accurately and efficiently prioritize tasks and be productive both inside and outside the classroom. **This is a #MyUSYfiSummer Premium Class in conjunction with Prestige Prep, and incurs a separate fee of $36. To register, visit www.regpacks.com/usyfisummer2020

Program Date(s):
Thursday, August 6th, 1-2 PM

Mastering the Mishnah

In this month-long course, we’ll explore the world of our early rabbinic sages and how the Mishnah emerged as a foundational text of Rabbinic Judaism. We will survey various aspects related to the Mishnah, including its structure, composition, and portrayal of the rabbis. This class presupposes no knowledge of rabbinic literature; some familiarity with Hebrew, especially reading skills, is strongly encouraged. This class is for incoming 9th graders through the Class of 2020.

Program Date(s):
Mondays and Wednesdays starting July 27th, 2-3 PM

Pilates-Based Fitness

In this class we will focus on both muscle stability and agility, mainly targeting the core and upper body. The exercises will challenge and strengthen the deep core muscles and develop a deeper understanding of how to activate and use these muscles during other activities.

Program Date(s):
Monday July 6th and Monday July 13th, 4-5 PM

Card Magic 101

Learn some basic card magic skills from USY International Board members Austin Kaufman and Jacob Kline. We will focus on building blocks of magic, from performance skills to technical strategies, that can be used in many different tricks, as well as some stand-alone effects to use in front of your friends. By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation for continuing your magical journey!

All 5th graders through the Class of 2020 are invited! You’ll need 2 quality and equally sized decks of playing cards (like a red and blue bicycle deck of cards), some rubber bands, and a fun spirit!

Program Date(s):
Tuesdays (July 14, 21, 28, August 4) 4-5 PM

USY Talks: Passions Worth Spreading

At USY International Convention 2016 in Dallas, TX, “USY Talks” (inspired by “TED Talks”) were introduced as a platform for USYers to share their passions with their peers on the main stage at IC. Since then, each IC has featured a series of USY Talks on topics ranging from mental health awareness, to God, to political activism, and social inequality. This workshop series will provide the tool necessary to develop your very own USY Talk! We will discuss speech-writing, non-verbal delivery, and a wide range of public speaking skills, leading up to a final, polished, and powerful USY Talk to be shared with the USY community!

All levels of speaking experience are welcome! This session is for 9-12th graders. The only question is, do you have a passion worth spreading?

Program Date(s):
Tuesday July 14, 21, and 28th - 2-3 PM

Juggling 101

Have you ever wanted to learn how to juggle, but could never find the time? Well, fortunately for us, we have come into an abundance of time and juggling could be in your future! Yes, even over Zoom, I can guarantee that after our session (and some practicing on your own) you, too, will be able to juggle! To participate, all you will need, besides a tiny bit of patience, are three spherical objects — obviously, juggling balls are preferable, but tennis balls, handballs, rolled-up T-shirts, or pairs of socks can also be wonderfully creative home remedies. While the majority of the session will be practice-based, we will also be discussing our lives — how juggling could serve as a metaphor for the many commitments that we balance each and every day. Juggling, while at the surface, is a challenging hobby to master, it is also a meditative art-form through which we can find balance in a complex, dynamic existence.

For 5th grade through the Class of 2020 – bring positivity, patience, and enthusiasm to learn something new! See you there!

Program Date(s):
Thursday July 9 and July 23rd, 3-4 PM

Meditation and Mindfulness: Changing our Internal State

During this crazy time, it can be incredibly rewarding to develop a sense of inner peace, even when the outside world is a little crazy! Through this 6-Week program, we will introduce and discuss various types of meditation and then work through a process based on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)–a scientifically proven approach. Through various interactive activities, we will attempt to learn more about ourselves, explore different traditions, and cultivate a sense of inner stillness and joy.

Program Date(s):
Mondays (July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10) from 1-2 PM

Introduction to Digital Illustration

Laying out the fundamental elements of digital illustration. From hardware to software, research to final drawings, and the techniques to get you there. I will cover the basic illustration approach that I take with most of my pieces from start to finish. I will discuss the positives and negatives of social media in illustration. I will also cover careers as a digital illustrator. This program will be for teens in grades 8-Class of 2020. Click here for a list of supplies!

Program Date(s):
Wednesdays - July 8, 15, 22, 29 - 4-5 PM