| Young Judaea Memories and Photographs |
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Thank you to Stewart Sokol (TY '60-63) for sending in these pictures.
RIGHT: Barry and Irene Friedman
Do you have photographs or other items to share from your time in Young Judaea? If so, please contact alumni@youngjudaea.org or call 212-303-4589. |
| Young Judaea Alumni Love Stories |
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 Arlene (Gordon) and Ami Bar-Yosef
I met my husband-to-be 45 years ago, while I was on Young Judaea's 1963-64 Year Course. Our group spent its first 4 months at the San Remo Hotel in Jerusalem, studying Hebrew, Zionism, etc. Two shlichim were living there as well, one studying Spanish as he readied himself for a stint in Uruguay, and the other English, before being sent to Leeds, UK on behalf of Dror.
Itzik, the one going to Leeds, was from Kibbutz Mahanayim, in the Galilee. He thought I'd be a good candidate for aliya (but did not tell me this at the time)! So, he invited me to come with one of my girlfriends for the Purim weekend to see his kibbutz, meet his family, etc. He got an English guy to show us around, as he himself was busy organizing the kibbutz's Purim party. We were sitting in this English fellow's room having coffee, when in walked his roommate, Ami, and boom - I was hooked!
Our own 3-month stay on Kibbutz was starting the following week, so for the next 3 months I was on Kibbutz Hulda, with the YJ group. But every free weekend I would take the bus all the way up to Mahanayim (a 3.5 half hour ride!). For the June month of "special interests" I convinced my madrichim that my "special interest" was on Mahanayim, and that being on a kibbutz without the support of my YJ friends would be a totally different experience from that of Hulda.
After Year Course, I unwillingly went back to the USA but stayed there only briefly, just long enough to convince my parents to let me return. It took lots of crying and cajoling, but finally they were convinced that my love for both Ami and Israel were sincere and meant to last.
Ami and I were married in Washington, DC, in January, 1965, with many year-courseniks in attendance. After a short honeymoon in Europe we returned to Mahanayim, where we lived for about 6 months. Since Ami wanted to pursue his studies, and in those days academic studies were a rarity for Kibbutzniks, we moved to Jerusalem. There he enrolled in the Hebrew University's Faculty of Agriculture and I found day work in a bank and evening work teaching Engish at the Berlitz School of Languages.
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SAVE THE DATES: October 18 - 26*, 2009
YJ's 100th Anniversary Alumni Israel Mission |
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We're planning a YJ Alumni Israel Mission for YOU! Let us know what you're interested in doing/visiting on the trip!
- Reconnect and reminisce with old friends
- Visit businesses and organizations founded by YJ alumni
- Listen to and learn from Young Judaea Alumni Speakers
- Tour new and familiar Israel and Young Judaea sites
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Young Judaea's 100th Anniversary...Get involved TODAY! |
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In preparation for Young Judaea's 100th anniversary, we're launching various projects. Please email alumni@youngjudaea.org today, to get involved.
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Oral History Project: Do you have a story to tell about your time in Young  Judaea? We want to hear about it. Young Judaea's Oral History project will connect you with a current Young Judaean who will interview you for this special 100th anniversary project.
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T-Shirt Collection: Do you have an old t-shirt that you're willing to give back to YJ? Not willing to donate your t-shirt, but can email YJ a photo of it?
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THREE Generation Young Judaea Family: Are you a member of a three generation Young Judaea family?
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Other Items: Young Judaea is also looking for photographs, histories, dissertations about Young Judaea.
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Marketing/Public Relations: Are you in marketing or public relations? Would you like to help promote the 100th anniversary of Young Judaea?
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Memorabilia: Do you have memorabilia to lend to YJ for the 100th anniversary vritual history?
Email alumni@youngjudaea.org or visit www.youngjudaea.org/100 to get involved or participate today! |
| Alumni Profiles |
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 Gary Kerzner
Director of Program Management, Telephonics Corp., Farmingdale, LI.
Young Judaea Programs: Manhattan YJ 1965-70 (Admin. VP 1967-1969); Nat'l Dance Group 1968-1970; Camp TY 1968 regular, 1969 Machaneh Avodah & kitchen staff; Year Course 1970-71; Camp Judaea (Hendersonville, NC) counselor 1973.
Favorite Memories from Young Judaea: Performing with National Dance Group at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden; climbing Masada at sunrise and hiking through the Sinai on Year Course.
How has your Young Judaea experience impacted your life today? It gave me a strong identification with Israel - the land and people; encouraged me to become involved with Jewish causes (JNF fundraising); inspired me to engage in activities that promote Israel (the Salute to Israel Parade formation committee); led to my involvement in Jewish communal affairs (synagogue board of directors) and strengthened my Jewish value set (study with Aish HaTorah).
Please describe your current professional involvement. I am responsible for the design and production of aircraft radar for domestic and international customers.
Are you currently involved with Young Judaea or Hadassah? I'm a life member of Hadassah associates.
Did your Young Judaea experience encourage you to visit or have closer ties to Israel? Yes, I've returned to Israel several times, with my family. In addition to touring the country we visited a JNF parkland outside Jerusalem that we helped establish.
Have you returned to Israel since your YJ experience? I've returned on family occasions (bar and bat mitzvahs); my eldest daughter participated in a YJ summer program, another daughter went on a USY summer program, another was on the Bronfman program last summer; my eldest son spent a year at the American/Israel High School at Pardess Hanna; the youngest son has been to Israel on a school trip and will go there again with USY in 2010; my wife and I intend to visit that summer, too.
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| Alumni In the News |
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Are the Democrats Taking the Jewish Vote Too Lightly?
Mr. Mik Moore (Sprout Lake '83-86, TY '87-91, YC '91-92), the Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder, Jewsvote.org, has fourteen years of experience working in the often overlapping worlds of communications, politics, and the Jewish community. He is currently on leave from Jewish Funds for Justice, where he serves as Chief Communications Officer. He studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, spent a year in Israel with the Zionist youth movement Young Judaea, and holds a B.A. from Vassar College and a J.D. from Georgetown Law.
Jpost.com Interviews New Oleh, Benji Lovitt
"Born and raised in Dallas, Benji Lovitt [(CYJ Texas '84-87, TY '88-91, YC '92-93, TY Staff '93, TY/CYJ Texas Staff '94, Machon Staff '95, TY Staff '07)] came to Israel for the first time on a Young Judaea trip at 15. 'It was a fun trip, but probably more because of my friends than Israel,' he says. A few years later, after he finished high school, he returned as a volunteer. 'I was here for nine months on a kibbutz, took some classes, went on trips. It was an amazing experience and I fell in love with Israel and made lifelong friends.'"
Kibbutz Ketura Partners With Arava Power Company
Kibbutz Ketura, founded 35 years ago by Young Judaea alumni who were Zionist pioneers, have joined forces with the Arava Power Company (APC) to build solar fields. APC President, Yosef Abramowitz said, "The group who started the kibbutz wanted to help Israel realize a dream - To become a player in reducing greenhouse gases. Our backers are Jewish Zionist donors from the US, idealists and environmentalists."
Deborah Blumenthal Co-Authors Study On Brain Tumors
Deborah Blumenthal (Camp Judaea, TY '80-81, YC '81-82) co-authored a study, published in Neurology, that looked at the genetic connection of brain tumors within families. Blumenthal states: "Our study suggests that people with a family history of brain tumors should make their doctor aware of this."
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| Alumni Notes -- Where Are You Now? |
Tell the Young Judaea community where YOU are today. Email alumni@youngjudaea.org. And visit our website for complete alumni updates!
Sivan (aka Ilana) Bezalel - I was about 12 when I first went to camp at Sprout Lake. I loved it. I returned to camp Tel Yehudah for two summers and made the best friends I ever had. I went on Year Course in 1991-92 and fell in love with Israel. I made Aliyah in 1997 at the age of 22. I studied nursing at Hadassah Ein Karem -- with a full scholarship as part of the aliyah package -- and became a registered nurse. Now I live in Ramat Gan and work in a private clinic in swanky Northern Tel Aviv. I'm 34, single, and enjoying a good life in Israel. That is where I am. Thanks Young Judaea!
Gabriel Mann -- I am a composer-singer-songwriter-producer. I live in Los Angeles, married to Allison Bloom with two kids, 3 year-old Piper Rose and 3 month-old Aidan Marley. I write music for video games and commercials and TV shows and movies and songs for these as well. I have a relatively active career as a music producer, most famously did Sara Bareilles' first album. I have a solo artist career with 5 albums to date, and have started a new band called "The Rescues" with fellow singer/songwriters Kyler England and Adrianne. We' had a song called "Crazy Ever After" on the two hour season premiere of Grey's anatomy, September 25, 2008!!! My websites are: Gabriel Mann, The Rescues, and Kneubulmann.
Roslyn Josephs Ferrell -- I'm back where I began except in my mother's shoes. I was a CYJ camper from the summer of 1970 at the "old camp" in Kerville, Texas then through Hamagshimim at Wimberley, Texas and one year of Tel Yehudah, I think it was 1977. I graduated high school in 1979, went to University of Texas at Austin where I lived in the Jewish "dorm" Madison House, and participated with Young Zionists, Chabad and Hillel until I graduated in 1983.
I lived in Austin until 1986 where I based my work; I worked for an Israeli diamond house out of NYC and took my first and only, so far, trip to Israel at Purim-time in 1987. I then worked in our family business until I married my high school sweetheart, Ron, in 1991. We lived in San Antonio, he attended dental school and I managed a jewelry store in NorthStar Mall until we had our daughter in late 1992. We moved back to Corpus Christi to set up my husband's dental practice. Our son was born in 1996 and I spent all my time on JCC PTO and elementary school PTA, Hadassah, Planned Parenthood, CJA, shul boards until our youngest began elementary school. I joined my husbands dental practice to "fill in for 2 months" and have been in charge of his front desk for 6 years now. I enjoy it.
I'm currently in my second year as our local Hadassah Chapter President, on the CJA, PTA and Band Booster and Planned Parenthood Boards. Both our children have attended CYJ, Wimberley,TX.
Most importantly, CYJ was fundamental in the development of my choosing to marry a Jewish man under the chuppah and grow a Jewish family with a profound interest in Israel. I can't imagine NOT sending our kids to CYJ and am thrilled that they still gain as much from the experience as I did. Thank you Young Judaea for you lasting influence on so many past campers. Shalom to all.
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| Alumni Lifecycle Events |
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Tell YJ about your lifecycle events (or call 212-303-4589)!
-- Engagement of Dori Moss (CJ 1991-1996, TY 1996, YC 1999-2000, CJ madrich 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, TY madrich 2001, 2002) to Ryan Mendel. Their wedding will be held next August in Atlanta, GA.
-- Talia Samet and Michael Schneider, who were both campers and staff at CYJ Texas, and who went to Israel with Young Judaea. They live in Austin and will be married in Houston.
-- Josh Samet (CYJ Texas '87-'92, TY '93-'95, YC '96-97) and Jessica Pierce. Their wedding will be held next January.
BIRTHS
-- Neil (TY '89-92, YC '92-93) and Miriam (TY '89, YC '92-93) Weidberg (nee Greenblatt) announce the birth of their son, Micah, on Friday, October 31, 2008.
-- Gidon Isaacs (Sprout Lake '83-84, TY '85-88, YC '89-90) and Wendy Ehrlich announce the birth of their son, Natan Lyon, on October 25, 2008.
-- Ilan (TY '91-92, '94, YC '95-96) and Marci Birnbaum announce the birth of their son, Evan. He was born on October 25, 2008.
-- Dave and Tara (Katz) Gordon announce the birth of their little girl, Mira, on September 26th, 2008.
-- Aaron and Leslie (nee Kulbursh) Lipson (TY '91-92, CJ Staff '92-93, YC '93-94) announce the birth of their daughter, Rory, born on April 14th, 2008.
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Upcoming Alumni Events |
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Save the Dates!
Young Judaea Alumni: Pittsburgh, PA, Saturday, November 29, 2008, 7:00 - 10:00 PM (7:30 PM Havdallah). Join other Young Judaea alumni to hear updates about Young Judaea camps and programs. Beacon Place Condominiums Party Room, 5715 Beacon Street, Squirrel Hill. RSVP to bcpittsburgh@hadassah.org or Karen Morris, 412-429-2044.
Year Course 1978-1979: Please contact YJ Alumni Relations or Lisa Aiden if you're interested in reconnecting with friends from Year Course. A reunion might be in the works . . . To begin reconnecting now, join the Facebook group.
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| Young Judaea Employment Opportunities |
Manager of Youth Education is responsible to develop youth curriculum for year-round and camp programming that encompass topics such as: Jewish and Israeli history, Jewish identity, American and world Jewry, social action, current events and other topics that will transmit Hadassah's message of Jewish values to youth across the country. The Youth Education Manager will collaborate with key staff and lay-leaders, both adult and youth, to ensure the consistency of educational materials throughout the country, and will be responsible for spearheading the educational efforts around the celebration of Young Judaea's 100th anniversary. Send resumes to jobs@hadassah.org. Israel Programs Recruiters, based in New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles offices, works with regional Jewish community to market all Young Judaea Israel programs. Qualified candidates should be charismatic, engaging, comfortable in front of audiences, and have spent a significant amount of time in Israel. Email ddeutsch@youngjudaea.org for additional details. Shalem, our modern orthodox track of Year Course, is a progressive gap year program for modern orthodox students based on the Year Course model with an enhanced emphasis on religious study. Manager of Recruitment for Shalem is responsible for marketing and recruitment throughout North America, including giving presentations, screening candidates, and networking within the modern orthodox community. Qualified candidates must have an extensive knowledge of the modern orthodox community, and must be charismatic, engaging, comfortable in front of audiences, and have spent a significant amount of time in Israel. Email ddeutsch@youngjudaea.org for additional details. 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. Please send letter and resume to Dan Cardonick, Director of Regional Programs, or fax to 212-303-4572. |
| Feedback and Suggestions |
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Email YJ Alumni Relations with your feedback and suggestions for future newsletters! | |
