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YJ Celebrates 100 Years! |
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Would you like to get involved with the planning or any other stage of the 100th anniversary celebrations of YJ? Do you have ideas for reconnecting alumni?
** YJ is also looking for photographs, histories, dissertations or other memorabilia about Young Judaea over the years. Please contact alumni relations. |
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Florida Atlantic Region Reunion: The Lion Still Roars |
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"We met in Israel is 1951!" ... "That's me in the picture from 1968!" ... "Such wonderful memories!"
Those were just a few comments heard at the most recent Florida Atlantic Young Judaea Alumni Reunion held on March 1, 2008 in Boynton Beach, FL. This lunch reunion brought together over 70 Young Judaea and Junior Hadassah alumni for a special afternoon of reminiscing, reconnecting and rediscovering how Young Judaea and Junior Hadassah impacted their lives. 
A well organized team lead by Lydia Krieg, Ilana Green, Myrna Rodkin, and Anne Lee Weiner worked to ensure that participants had time to share stories and memories, participate in Israeli dancing, and reconnect with old friends throughout the day. Through activities and speakers, they highlighted the reasons why each person remains connected to both Young Judaea and Hadassah.
(L-R) Lydia Krieg, Anne Lee Weiner, Ilana Green, Carmela Kalmenson, and Myrna Rodkin
Reunion participants told camp and club stories, and reminisced about their memories reaching as far back as the 1950s: a flat tire on the way home from convention, Bess Myerson (Miss America 1945) visiting the Cascades Hadassah chapter, building a watchtower at camp, and much more!
Myrna Rodkin, President of the Florida Atlantic Region and Hadassah National Board Member said that "the reunion was so special because the room was filled with multi-generations of women and men. They ranged in ages from mid-twenties to over 90 years old, yet a shared love for YJ and Jr. Hadassah permeated the atmosphere. The decades in which each was an active member were different, but the stories they shared were the same!"
 Carol Weiss (pictured to the left), who unexpectedly noticed herself in a group photograph from Tel Yehudah in 1965 reprinted in the reunion booklet shared that "because of Young Judaea is why I'm active in Hadassah."
Another alum, Nate Saltzman, shared his story as well. He was a madrich (counselor) on the Israel Summer program in 1955; it was his first trip to Israel. Nate had been active in Young Judaea in New Jersey since he was seven years old, thanks to his brother Saul's encouragement, and it really proved to be a life changing experience. "Young Judaea taught me the concept of sherut l'am (service to the people), and the love of Israel in particular," Nate said.
Nate was selected as a madrich in 1955, and met his wife Debbie (the one who selected him!) that summer. They spent two months together, fell in love and were married on Lag B'Omer in 1956. Debbie, originally from Queens, NY, was also active in YJ growing up, as a leader, participant and a Tel Yehudah dance counselor. "The result of my marriage with Debbie is three wonderful children all of whom are actively involved with Jewish pursuits. My oldest grandson is studying at a Yeshiva in Jerusalem and my granddaughter will be attending the 2008 summer in Israel program with Young Judaea."
Carmela Kalmanson, former National Hadassah President and YJ alumna was the keynote speaker of the afternoon. She touched upon a few of the new and exciting things happening at Young Judaea and encouraged participants to take an active role in ensuring the continuity of these programs, as well as Camp Judaea.
The whole afternoon was exciting and a result of lots of hard work. It was filled with spontaneous humor, much ruach, and an appreciation for Young Judaea and Jr. Hadassah.
(L to R) Top Row: Alysha (Goldstein) Erez, Miriam (Berkowitz) Blue, Eric Ross, Bert Morenstein. Bottom Row (L to R): Rosetta Abrahams, Carol Goldsmith, Gloria Morenstein |
| Were You There In ... ? |
 1948 ... Volunteered for Israel's 1948 war?
1951 ... First Israel summer program?
1956 ... Participated on first Year Course?
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| Alumni Profile: Jeremy Goldberg |
Young Judaea Program(s): Camp Young Judaea, Waupaca Wisconsin ('90-'94, Ofarim to Machon); Tel Yehudah ('95-Solelim); Machon in Israel ('96); MH ('97); Tel Yehudah ('97-MT); Year Course ('98-'99); Tel Yehudah ('99-Madrich for Alumim); Central States Ofarim v'Tsofim Programmer: '95-96; Central States AVP: '96-'97; Central States Mazkir '97-'98
Favorite Memories from Young Judaea: Making long-lasting friendships with my Madrichim including Aaron Dworkin and Gideon Herscher · Making great friendships · Attending the Bar and Bat Mitzvah's of many of my friends · Year Course · Living in Karmiel and organizing an after school basketball league for 5th - 7th graders with my friend Jeremy Abelson · Living in Tel-Aviv and volunteering on a Prime Ministerial Campaign during the 1999 Israeli Election
How has your Young Judaea experience impacted your life today? Without my experiences growing up in Young Judaea I doubt I'd have as much confidence to take on leadership responsibilities, and certainly would not have the excellent network of friends and colleagues around the world.
Also, my experiences with YJ have equipped me with important life skills that include: stronger connection to my Jewish identity, ability to communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, strong public speaking and presentation skills, fundraising aptitude, and interest to do meaningful social impact (Tikkun Olam) work.
What are you doing now? I am running a number of different projects in Africa primarily through the Global Youth Partnership for Africa. Over the past 4 years I have coordinated programs that have brought over 200 American undergraduate and graduate students, Israeli, German, and Canadian volunteers and Israeli medical and health professionals to Africa.
I am now launching a new effort to establish a Sports and Leadership Academy in Uganda for youth. This is likely to take several years, but we are already conducting research assessments, evaluations and architectural studies.
Finally, I am working for an Emerging Markets consultancy based in Washington, DC which helps US companies to do more and better work in Africa and Latin America. This also includes assisting these companies with their social and philanthropic endeavors.
Did your Young Judaea experience encourage you to visit or have closer ties to Israel? YES! ... And I have returned to Israel two times since Year Course. 1. To participate in the UJC Conference in Jerusalem AND 2. To consult on a project with a delegation from Yemin Orde and the Agahozo Shalom Village Project (Rwanda).
To learn more about Jeremy Goldberg and how Young Judaea impacted his life, please visit our website.
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| My Young Judaea Journey, By Benji Lovitt |
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 After I stopped laughing from reading this letter written circa 1985, I thought, "Thank G-d I toughed it out that summer!" Twenty-three years later, I can definitely say "camp was well worth it." It is not a stretch to say I am who I am because of my experiences in Young Judaea - the movement, camps, and Israel programs.
A couple of episodes of homesickness aside, I made the best friends of my life at CYJ-Texas, TY, and on Year Course and began my journey of Jewish identity, exploration, and community. My experiences learning and leading in Young Judaea inspired me to lead an active Jewish life first as a student at the University of Texas, and later as a professional at the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta and in the national office of Young Judaea as the Assistant Director of YJ's summer programs in Israel.
(L) THEN: Benji in 1989.
(R) NOW: Benji in 2008
In 2006, I made aliyah and am having the experience of a lifetime living in Tel Aviv. I work as a content writer by day, stand-up comic and writer by night, and of course manage to find time to help out with Young Judaea activities when I can. For any kids who question whether they can survive a summer away from home...don't give up! You won't regret it.
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Where Are You Now? I Am ... |
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Matthew A. Hartmann (YC '04-05) -- I just transferred to Central Washington University this year and am studying Print Journalism. Email: kelev10@aol.com
Keiren Havens (nee Bluestone) -- (CJ '86-88, TY '87-'89). I'm now the Vice President of Development & Community Relations at Planned Parenthood of Maryland. I have two sons, Micah (6) and Seth (4), both at Jewish day schools. I really miss the Judaism of camp. I miss Shabbat and rikkud, things like that. Just can't get it in congregational Judaism. After YJ, I went to Earlham College for a year and then to Hebrew U for a year, staying to work at the Biblical Zoo for the following summer (the year of the First Gulf War). I credit YJ for giving me a very strong Jewish identity, but also with putting oversimplified notions in my head about the Palestinians (capture the flag - one side are the Jews, one side are the Palestinians? Come on.). I got my MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and lived/worked abroad for a time, now I'm settled in Maryland with a great non-Jewish husband who helps me raise a Jewish family. Anyway, happy to hear from fellow YJers! Email: wshawnh@verizon.net
Dr. Stephen R. Gross -- Would like to say Shalom to all my past friends at TY, CYJ, Year Course 80-81. Telling lots of stories in lectures at Temple and at work and your names pop up. Best wishes to all. I have four kids: Hannah, Gabriel, Elias, and Sophie. Went into Israeli Army - Golani ... and thank you for all those wonderful memories. Email me at StephanRGross@aol.com, or visit my website www.coldspringhealingarts.com.
David Factor (Sprout '84-'88, Ofie Tsofie Unit Head, Drama Spec, Nature Spec and Tsofim Unit Head) -- I've been in Israel since 1989 and living it up on Kibbutz Ketura since 1996 with my old partner in crime Aliza Strenger (kitchen head '86) and our four children. Looking forward to hearing from everyone - all the best! Email: alizadavid@hotmail.com
Larry Rosenfeld (YC '74-'75) -- I am from Baltimore and was one of Beth Land Hecht's madrichim, as well as close family friends. In 1980, I joined Garin Sof Maarav, the gain that formed Moshav Shorashim in the Galilee. I made aliya to Shorashim in 1981 and four kids, 30 pounds, and a lot of gray hair later, I am still here.
Shorashim is a small settlement with 65 families, 5 minutes from Karmiel, 30 minutes from Akko and 20 minutes from Zfat. The moshav is affiliated with the Masorati (Conservative) movement in Israel and has many alumni of Young Judaea. For the past five years I have been the CEO of In Other Words, a technical communication company that provides technical documentation and translations to the high-tech industry in Israel and abroad.
In an attempt to keep my sanity, I run the folk club in Karmiel, where performers from Israel and around the world perform Acoustic, Irish, Bluegrass, Blues and other styles of music for a mostly English speaking audience. The music is a great way to keep up with Old Judaeans in Israel. At the various folk clubs and the bi-annual Jacobs Ladder Folk Festival, where I am a stage manager, alumni are in full force as both performers and audience. Email: larry@words.israel.netMindi Seidel-Adler -- I work at the National Headquarters for the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, and take Israeli Dance classes at the Weinstein JCC in Richmond, VA. My husband Drew (BBYO) is in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the Medical College of Virginia-Virginia Commonwealth University. mseidel2000@yahoo.com
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| Alumni Lifecycle Events |
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Tell YJ about your lifecycle events (or call 212-303-4589)!
- Alon Becker (TY '88-'90, YC '90-'91) and Hanita Becker announce the birth of their son, Yaniv Noam Becker, on February 20, 2008.
- Debby Gelber (YC '87-88) and Avi Pfeffer announce with great joy the birth of identical twin daughters, born on January 6, 2008. Their names are Ruth Ashira Pfeffer and Naomi Anshela Pfeffer.
- Ilana Fuchs Ratner (TY '87, YC '87-'88) and Daniel Ratner announce the birth of their daughter, Shani Ruby Ratner on March 7, 2008. Also welcoming Shani are her brother Liam (3) and sister Lila (16 mos.). They live in Potomac, MD.
- Amos Segal (YC '91-'92) and Helen Mendelson announce the birth of their son, Shavit Adam Segal on Sunday, March 23, 2008. He weighed 2.7kg.
Engagements
- Noah Gallagher (YC '95-'96, Director, CYJ Midwest Present) and Lauren Gross (CYJ Midwest '89-'94, TY '95-'97, YC '97-'98, Assistant Director EPA '00-'01). The wedding will be held on January 17, 2009 at the Michigan League in Ann Arbor.
- Daniel Cohen (CJ '87-'89, '92, Staff '97-'98, TY '93, Machon '94) and Diana Rusk. The wedding will be held in Atlanta, GA next summer.
- Michael Mitchell (FZY) and Molly Sonenklar (YC '00-01).
- Abby Finkelstein (CJY Texas '65, Bookkeeper '00-present) and Joel Davis. They will be married on July 25th, 2008. - Greg Schlam (CJ '87-'93, YC '96-'97) and Ilana Daube (CJ Staff '00-present), were married on March 16th in Atlanta, GA. Over 200 Young Judaea alumni were in attendance.
- Gabe Samet (CYJ Texas '89-'93, TY '94-'97, Machon '96, YC '98-'99) and Sara Cases were married on March 2, 2008 and are now living in San Antonio, TX.
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| YJ Alumni: Lost And Found |
| Are you in touch with these alumni? Email alumni@youngjudaea.org ... their friends are looking for them!
- Alyssa Ash
- Cheryl Dubrov (from Chattanooga, TN)
- Debbie Walheim
- Elizabeth Walheim
- Peter Walheim
Year Course 1972-1973: Robin Berenbaum, Linda Berman, Laurie Bernardo, Jan Bronston, Hannah Cohen, Karen Dubrow, Brian Edlin, Caren Epp, Nancy Field, Carrie Glick, Myra Goldfarb, Stephen Goldfarb, Beth Green, Judith Lebow, Susan Pepper, Robin Rosenbaum, Bonnie Rubin, Linda Schiff, Susan Scheier, Barbara Schulman, Pamela (Wolfsy) Firestone |
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Upcoming Alumni Events |
Save The Date: Monday, July 14th - Alumni Reception, Hadassah Convention, Los Angeles
REGISTER TODAY!
Atlanta Alumni Reunion, May 13, 2008 -- If you live in the Atlanta area and want to reconnect with YJ alumni on May 13, please email Holly Gelfand to RSVP. Details: 6-9PM, 3622 Sexton Woods Dr, Chamblee.
Year Course 1987-1988 -- May 24-25, 2008 in New York City. Did you participate on YC in 1987-1988? Come to NYC from May 24-25 for a reunion! Contact Mimi Gaber for details. There is also a Google group set-up so contact Mimi to be connected!
Want to Plan Your Reunion?
Sprout Lake Staff from the 1980s: Did you work at Sprout Lake in the 1980s? If so, and you want to reconnect with other staff, email Alumni Relations. A reunion is being planned.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Year Course 1958-1959! Please contact Alumni Relations if you're interested in learning more.
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| Alumni Story: YJ Impact & Inspiration |
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YJ Alum Selected for Hadassah's Young Women's Mission to Poland and Israel, By Amy Kauffman (TY '81, '82)
When I was an active Young Judaean I had no idea that it would be such an important part of defining who I would be as an adult. Between graduating high school and getting married, Young Judaea was just a fond memory. But, after the birth of my daughter, I became a stay-at-home mom and was looking to meet other Jewish women. Hadassah seemed the natural organization for me to join. Meeting women who share similar values and beliefs brought me right back to camaraderie of Young Judaea. I was honored when National Hadassah selected me to represent the Nassau Region on the recent Young Women's Mission to Poland and Israel. I was one of 24 women age 26-45 selected from across the country participating on this incredible ten day mission and it was my first trip to Israel! 
Walking throughout Warsaw and Krakow was truly stepping back in time. The thing that struck me almost immediately was the silence of these once thriving Jewish communities. And the haunting feeling was multiplied when we walked through Aushwitz-Birkenau. The conditions were beyond atrocious and beyond comprehension. We carried two flags in our group-the flag of Israel and the Hadassah flag. Holding the Israeli flag gave me the strength and the courage to bare witness to the remains of the gas chambers. Seeing and feeling our history in Poland was a first step in realizing that Zionism cannot be a choice. Each one of us as Jews must continue to rally for, support and build up Israel.
I studied about the Holocaust in Hebrew School. I even went through a period of needing to read everything I could about it, yet, there is nothing that educates you more than to walk the earth of our relatives, to touch the buildings of our great grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Going to Israel was much more meaningful coming from Poland. We felt despair in Poland and flew to Israel with hope. Seeing the blue and white waving proudly throughout Jerusalem was such a remarkable sight! And seeing Jerusalem Gold sparkle in the sunlight (the whole city is made of it); I knew I was in a special place. Read More Here |
| Alumni In the News |
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Racing to Capture Vanishing Languages, The Linguist
Jeremy Newberger (Sprout '82-86, YC '91-92) and Seth Kramer recently produced The Linguist, a film that 'tells the story of Dr. Anderson, the director of the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages, and K. David Harrison, a linguist at Swarthmore College, and their quest to document ancestral languages like Chulym in Siberia and Sora in India.' The Linguist was selected to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008. Jeremy and Seth formed Ironbound Films in 2003.
From Detroit, Michigan to Kibbutz Gezer, Israel in 1976
After both being inspired by their high school youth program Israel trips in the summer of 1966, David Leichman (Young Judaea, 1966) and Rabbi Miri Gold met at Kibbutz Gezer about ten years later. Over the 30 years that they've been living on the kibbutz, Mr. Leichman and Rabbi Gold have contributed significantly to the growth and maintenance of their home. Read their story here.
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman (TY '73-74, YC '75-76) Among First Group To Graduate From Transdenominational Seminary
Among the first class of Rabbis graduating from Hebrew College in Newton, MA, a transdenominational seminary, is Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman. Rabbi Sharfman attended Tel Yehudah and then participated on Year Course and credits much of where she is today to Young Judaea. According to the article, "Sharfman grew up as a Modern Orthodox Jew, but her experience with Young Judaea in high school broadened her horizons, she says." Read the full article here. |
| WUJS Institute in Arad |
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 "And the seasons they go round and round... "
We are writing on a beautiful early March day, hours removed from a pleasantly blazing sun which drew us outside for the spring rendition of our famous Thursday pizza lunch. Yesterday was another beautiful day, and the ulpan classes met outside. I am confident that the words L'hishtazef (to tan), Lizroach (to shine), and Kayitz (summer) were among the new words learned. Only three weeks are left in the October session, and tans and richer Hebrew vocabularies are some of the goals for the homestretch.
Since our last update, our students have rounded out their Israel education with an impressive run of our weekly Tuesday study tours or seminars. The 15 or so seminars that we run every session enable our students to deeply engage with Israel's most pressing issues, not to mention the tremendous opportunity it affords to travel the county. In the past month alone, our seminars have covered such diverse topics as "Dilemmas in the IDF," "Reporting from the Middle East" and "Religious Encounters with Modernity," and the upcoming and final seminar is "Art in Tel Aviv." Read the complete WUJS Update.
WUJS Institute in Arad |
| 2008-2009 YJ National Mazkirut |
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YJ would like to wish a mazal tov to the newly elected National Mazkirut!
Mazkir - Noah Berman
AVP - Simon Levitsky
Artzit - Emilie Seckel
Bogrim Programmer - Alon Elhanan
Offie/Tsoffie Programmer - Laura Maschler
Social Action Programmer - Zena Schulman
Pirsum - Evan Gildenblatt
Although this new leadership team has already starting planning for the year, they will officially take office at YJ's National Summer Convention in August. |
| News @ Hadassah: Our Olympic Star, Gadi Ohayon |
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Gadi Ohayon was out of breath but he could still shout with joy. He had just finished a grueling day, working out as part of the training camp of Israel's National Athletic team. He was headed for the shower when two of the trainers cornered him. "Gadi, would you like to take part in the Israel Training Program for the 2012 Olympics?" The word "Olympics" kept ringing in his ears. It was his dream come true.
Gadi Ohayon grew up in a tough neighborhood in Acre, a poor port city with a mixed Jewish-Arab population, north of Haifa. He is the third of five children. His father, Israeli born, works in the Hevra Kedisha burial society and his mother, born in Morocco, is a cleaning woman. His school grades weren't that special, but he was an excellent athlete. "I always loved sports," said Gadi, 19, today a soldier in the IDF.
When he was in ninth grade, the athletic trainers from Hadassah-Neurim noticed him in the long jump and running events at Israeli youth sports competitions. They suggested that he leave his neighborhood high school and move to Hadassah-Neurim where he would have a better chance of developing his talents.
"I knew what happened to most of the kids in my neighborhood, even those with talent and ambition," said Ohayon. "Usually they got dragged down in the world of cigarettes and apathy, sitting on the street corner doing nothing. I saw the offer as a golden opportunity to do something I love and to get ahead. Looking back, I don't know what would have happened to me if they hadn't approached me." Read More Here. |
| Young Judaea Employment Opportunities |
YJ Israel Programs is looking for a Year Course Supervisor, in the NYC office. Applicant should have experience working with teens and excellent organization and planning skills. Send resumes to jobs@hadassah.org. Pleaseinclude the job title in the subject line.
Camp TY is looking for a full-time, year-round Director of Operations. The qualified
candidate will be extremely organized and detail oriented, have excellent computer skills and be capable of organizing and supervising logistics of a large facility and program. Duties include overseeing the facility, kitchen, rentals and day-to-day operations. Previous camp and/or operations experience preferred. Email TY for job description.
YJ is seeking full-time Area Supervisors in NYC. Salary and benefits. Responsibilities include developing YJ programs, building participation, organizing conventions and special events, recruiting for camps and Israel programs and working with Hadassah and other Jewish community organizations on joint projects. Send letter and resume to Dan Cardonick, Director of Regional Programs, or fax to 212-303-4572.
CYJ-Texas is looking for a Program Director to work with children and community leaders in running YJ programs and promotional events. The job offers opportunity for travel in Texas, the US and possibly Israel. CYJ has crazy work hours, a fun work environment with other young, energetic professionals, and competitive salaries. Contact Frank Silberlicht, Camp Director at frank@cyjtexas.org, or (713)723-8354. |
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Feedback and Suggestions |
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Email YJ Alumni Relations with your feedback and suggestions for future newsletters! | |
