| Young Judaea Alumni Events |
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New York City Alumni Reunited in February
On February 19th, about 75 Young Judaea alumni reconnected in New York City for a fun evening of conversations and relaxing together. The vibe was lively and exciting as quite a few of the alumni in the room had not seen each other in many years. Ilan Birnbaum (TY '94, YC '95-96) said that "It was truly Judaean to catch up with old friends and then go Israeli dancing afterwards!" And Ari Levine (TY '96, YC '97-98) said that "It was great to reconnect with old friends and see so many familiar faces. I can't wait to see everyone again on April 30th for the YJ fundraiser at Marquee in NY!!" Thank you to everyone who made this evening a success!
Left (L to R): Dan Deutsch (YC '95-96), Steve Shefsky (YC '92-93), Ilan Birnbaum (YC '95-96), Becky Shefsky, and Ian Isanberg (YC '95-96)
Right: David Bard, Mica Bard
Left (L-R): Monique Marco (YC '91-92) and Sarah Klein (YC '94-95)
Right (L-R): Ben Turk (Sprout Lake Staff '98-00) and Ari Levine (YC '97-98)
Young Judaea Alumni Town Hall Meeting
Thank you to all who participated in the first Young Judaea Alumni Town Hall Meeting. If you have not already completed the survey, please do so as soon as possible. Your feedback is important to us. With almost 70 alumni participating - either in person or by phone - the evening offered alumni the opportunity to get questions answered and to hear from the National Mazkirut. Stay tuned for follow-up and similar opportunities. |
| Save The Dates: Upcoming YJ Alumni Events |
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Thursday, April 30th: Fundraising Event at Marquee, NYC
Join hundreds of Young Judaea alumni for an exciting evening of reconnecting and reminiscing at Marquee, a premier New York City nightclub. Open bar all evening (8:00-11:00PM), plus a silent auction for variety of prizes. Buy your tickets TODAY (and encourage your friends to do the same) as they will be selling quickly. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased through the website: www.youngjudaea.org. If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation please visit the site.
Planning Committee: Oran Ebel (YC '97-98), Ari Levine (YC '97-98), Daniel Rieger (Sprout Lake '90-96, TY '97, 98 & '00, Machon '99), Chanan Rozenbaum (YC '95-96). Questions? yjevent@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page.
Sunday, May 31st: Salute to Israel Day Parade, NYC
Come join Young Judaea as we march in celebration of Israel's 61st birthday and Young Judaea's 100th anniversary! Alumni and Young Judaea families are welcome to join in this fun day marching through New York City. Email alumni@youngjudaea.org if you would like more information.
Sunday, August 16th: YJ 100th Anniversary Reunion @ TY
Save the date for a 100th anniversary reunion to be held at Camp Tel Yehudah. Come and spend the day at camp, along the beautiful Deleware river. We're looking for Young Judaea alumni to help with the planning of this celebration. If you would like to help (from near or far!), please email alumni@youngjudaea.org! We're excited to spend the day back at camp with you and your families to honor and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Young Judaea. |
| Young Judaea Alumni Love Stories |
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 Roger and Alyssa Friedland
Timing is Everything....Judaeans find each other "Back to the Future"
Alyssa Soltz was only 4 years old when Roger Friedland (age 13) attended Camp Judaea in Hendersonville for his first summer (1965). When Alyssa was old enough to be an "Offie" at Camp Judaea, Roger was already a counselor there in 1970. Though their paths overlapped at CJ, they would not realize the full impact of their Judaean experiences and common backgrounds until they met a decade later at the University of Florida in Gainesville and started playing Jewish Geography at a Hillel singles party. Their first conversation revolved around the "coincidence" of their mutual experiences at CJ and in Young Judaea!!!
With 9 years age separation, Alyssa and Roger would never have fallen in love back in the 70's, yet their mutual Zionist feelings and strong Judaean roots were the basis of a love that was destined to reignite a decade later, and go on to fuel their mutual desire to make Aliyah and build their home in Jerusalem.
Alyssa was born in 1961, just months before her mother, Roz Soltz, (Hadassah Florida Regional president at the time) stood on the hills of North Carolina with Lila Reisman and fulfilled a dream of founding Camp Judaea to instill Zionism and Jewish values in future generations of Jewish children. Little did Roz know how much impact this camp would have on the life of the little baby she was holding. Alyssa grew up with Hadassah and Young Judaea in her bloodstream. Her older sister, Bonnie started the HIC Bogrim club in Miami. After the summer of 1970, Roz and her husband Gerry, took Alyssa and her 3 siblings and made Aliyah. Unfortunately they had to return 4 years later, but Alyssa knew that Israel was her home and was determined to return one day. Upon her return to the States, Alyssa worked at CY as the Arts and Crafts specialist for the next two summers, but Roger was already studying law at UF by then.
Roger, having grown up in Melbourne, FL, became active in Young Judaea in Satellite Beach and was one of the founders of Ayn Shame during his teenage years. It was only when Alyssa started studying architecture at UF that she and Roger (who was in Law school there) crossed paths and realized how much their Judaean past would connect them not only to each other, but to their future in Israel.
Today, 28 years later, they are raising their 4 children in Jerusalem where they are Broker /owners of a RE/MAX franchise in Bakah.Three of their children, Steven, Aaron and Rebecca have all attended Tel Yehuda, and Steven was even a sports specialist at CJ (2002) before his army service.
For Alyssa and Roger, Young Judaea not only brought them together, but the ideals and values that Young Judaea represents brought them to Israel. Going back to the future brought them together and they will never look back...They can be reached by email at: afriedland@bezeqint.net
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| Alumni Profile: Cheryl Herbsman |
Would you like to be profiled? Email alumni@youngjudaea.org.
 Cheryl Renee Herbsman (nee Lefkowitz), Author, Marin County, California
Young Judaea Programs & Years: Camp Judaea 1977-1982, Tel Yehudah 1983, Hashachar Israel Experience trip 1984, Counselor at Camp Judaea 1986, Young Judaea year-round participant 1977-1986, Led Offie and Tsofie clubs 1983-1984
Tell us your favorite memories from Young Judaea: Summers at camp were my favorite time of year. I loved the people who went to camp, the friendship we developed, and the adventures we shared. I also loved going to G'lil Yam conventions.
How has your Young Judaea experience impacted your life today? Young Judaea was instrumental in creating my positive sense of Jewish identity. It also taught me so much about friendship. Since I met my husband at camp, Young Judaea has affected our whole family. I feel so lucky to have married a Judaean.
Please describe your current professional involvement. I am a full-time mom and an author. My first Young Adult novel, BREATHING, will be coming out with Viking in April. I'm currently working on a book that takes place at summer camp. Check out my website,
www.cherylreneeherbsman.com.
Please describe how/if your YJ experience encouraged you to visit/have closer ties to Israel. After my summers at camp, I spent two summers in Israel. Then I married my Young Judaea boyfriend, who is Israeli. So Israel has always been an important part of our lives.
If not, have you returned to Israel since your YJ experience? After my two summers in Israel, my husband and I went back there to visit after we were married. Then we became busy with education, training, kids, etc. Two summers ago we took our kids to Israel for the first time.
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| Alumni Notes -- Where Are You Now? |
Alumni enjoy hearing about and reconnecting with friends. Tell the Young Judaea community where YOU are today. Email alumni@youngjudaea.org.
Rachel Tamar Klein Berendt (YC '90-91)
I am happily married and living in Charlotte, North Carolina with Larry (he was a Paratrooper in the Israeli Army) whom I met when I was on Year Course, and our four children: Yossi (10 yrs old), Yishai (9 yrs old), Yotam Amichai (7 yrs old), and Laya Basya (3 yrs old).
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| Alumni Lifecycle Events |
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Share your lifecycle event with the Young Judaea alumni community. Email, alumni@youngjudaea.org or call 212-303-4589!
BIRTHS
- Gabi Soble (CYJ Texas 1986-89, TY 1990-91, TOL YJ Mazkirut 1992-1993, YC 1993-94, CYJ Texas Staff 1992-95) and Dave Rosenberg are very proud to announce the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Jane Rosenberg, on January 14, 2009.
WEDDINGS
- Melissa Kramer (YC '00-01) and Albert Rubinsky (CYJ-Texas '91-96, TY '97-99, Machon '98, YC '00-01) were married on Sunday, March 1, 2009, in Austin, TX. In attendance were the brides older sister and brother in-law who also met on Year Course, Ariel and Gabe Rubin (YC '96-97). Melissa and Albert met on New Years eve 2001 in Tel Aviv.
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| Alumni In The News |
Young Judaea Camps & Staff Receive Leadership Awards
Young Judaea camps and staff recently received leadership awards from the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Each one of the 6 Young Judaea camps is a recipient of one of these prestigous awards. Yitro Leadership Program: Robin Anderson, CYJ Midwest; Jamie Maxner, TY; Marcie Soifer, CYJ Sprout Lake; Yael Twito, CYJ Texas. Cornerstone Fellowships: CYJ Sprout Lake, CYJ West. Launch Pad Fellowships: Camp Judaea, CYJ Midwest, CYJ Sprout Lake, CYJ Texas, and Camp Tel Yehudah.
Laura Godles (YC '07-08) Year Course Experience
Laura Godles decided to take a break after high school to give back to her community, but in Israel. Spending part of her year volunteering on a farm in Holon, studying Zionist and Israeli history, Hebrew and more, and working in Arad, Laura felt as though her experience was invaluable. Read more about Laura's experience.
Michael Shapira (YC '03-04): New Oleh, From California to Jerusalem
After his committment to and passion for Israel was developed throughout high school and then solidified on Year Course, Michael Shapira decided to make Aliyah. Once in Israel, he joined Garin Tzabar and then the IDF. His unit served on the front lines during the Second Lebanon War. Read more about Michael's experience.
Kibbutz Ketura To Generate Energy Through Solar Panels in the Arava
For the first time, a 5 megawatt field of solar panels is expected to generate energy in the Arava desert. Designed by members of Kibbutz Keruta, this new system will hopefully generate energy and profits for the kibbutz through the new Israeli government subsidy promised for electricity produced by solar power plants. Read the Business Week article. |
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Young Judaea Scholarship Campaign |
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 Let's Face It. 
Young Judaeans Can Change the World.
Today's Young Judaeans will lead tomorrow's Jewish community. Our job is to prepare them. To help them become leaders. To connect them with Israel, their heritage and each other.
For 100 years, Young Judaeans like you have kept the Jewish community strong.
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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 virtual history?
Email alumni@youngjudaea.org or visit www.youngjudaea.org/100 to get involved or participate today! |
| Camp Tel Yehudah Updates -- New Programs! |
| Kayamut: Jewish Environmental Learning and Leadership
In a unique twelve-day seminar, students entering 10th and 11th grade can have an extraordinary educational experience. With the backdrop of the Delaware River Valley, chanichim will be involved in hands-on environmental study, discussions and debates on environmental values, and the development of tools for the next generation of environmental leaders. Program Director: Dr. Eilon Schwartz (YC '76-77), founder of the Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership and one of the leaders of Israel's environmental movement.
Havurah: Summer Camp For Teens From Russian Jewish Community
Did you know that Jews in Russian-speaking households represent nearly one-fifth of the Jewish population of North America? YJ and TY announce the launch of a new summer camp program designed to improve the integration process between Jews from the FSU and the mainstream American Jewish community. Havurah is a 2-week program for teens entering grades 9 through 11. The curriculum for this group will help participants learn more about Jewish history and culture, develop a real connection with Israel and make life-long friendships with Jewish peers from across the world. Please contact Yelena Pogorelsky (phone: 212-303-7462), Havurah Program Manager, to discuss recruiting strategies in your communities. |
| YC and Israel Programs Alumni -- Amirim |
Year Course & Israel Programs Alumni: Want to get back to Israel this summer and make a difference?
Join Amirim, Young Judaea's in-depth Israel living and community service program for college students and young professionals, age 18-30! Participants live in apartments, in Bat Yam or Jerusalem, with Jewish contemporaries from North America, Europe, Israel and beyond! During the program, you will have the opportunity to volunteer throughout the week for a non-profit organization in your area of interest. In addition to volunteering, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cultural events, weekly group trips, hiking, Hebrew classes, and free time.
Space is limited, so register now! To learn more, visit: www.yjimpact.org/amirim. Tell your family and friends about this great opportunity! |
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Year Course Education Top Notch For YC 2009-2010 |
As we put together next year's new and improved Year Course program we have been in touch with our Israeli alumni to help us ensure the highest level of education we can provide for our chanichim. To see the list of teachers for next year, please visit our site.
It makes me proud to be a member of the movement when we can count on our graduates and friends to come forward and join the teaching staff to help Young Judaea excel. Following is a partial list of teachers for next year and this is only the beginning!
-Kol HaKavod, Keith Berman
Exciting changes for Year Course 2009-2010 are in the works and we need YOU to help us recruit the next group of lucky Year Course chanichim. The new program will include more tiyulim (trips), more access to ulpan, more time to get to know fellow YC participants, and more opportunities to explore the Israel landscape. Click here for more information about the exciting program updates and help us spread the word about Year Course 2009-2010! |
| 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. |
| Feedback and Suggestions |
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Email YJ Alumni Relations with your feedback and suggestions for future newsletters! | |
