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YJ Benefit Raises Almost $25,000 For Scholarships! |
On April 30, 2009, over 300 Young Judaea alumni, friends and family joined together at Marquee in New York City to raise money for Young Judaea scholarships, reconnect with each other and have a great time. The room was energized by everyone seeing old friends from summers at camp, Israel programs and conventions.
The evening was a huge success; together we raised almost $25,000 for Young Judaea scholarships! Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the event; we could not have done this without you! We're excited to be able to make a huge difference in the life of current and future Judaeans who otherwise would not have been able to have those same experiences that we all enjoyed in the past.
Zach Geller (Sprout Lake '90-94, TY '95-98, YC 99-00) said that "Putting on an event like this is what Young Judaea is all about: stepping up and rallying a group of peers to create change for an important cause. Right now that cause is Young Judaea itself, and this small group of vatikim put themselves forward to make a difference."
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| YJ Alumni Reunion in Washington, DC Raises Over $5,000 For Scholarships! |
| Young Judaea alumni from the Washington, DC area gathered for a fun evening which allowed for reminiscing and reconnecting with each other about their days in Young Judaea. There was an exciting air in the room and everyone enjoyed the evening. In addition to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, alumni bid on silent auction prizes which ranged from gift certificates to wines!
A huge thank you to the host committee for organizing such a successul event. As you know, the need for scholarships this year is greater than ever, and this event will help many more Judaeans go to camp and Israel this summer!
Thank you again for attending the reunion and supporting Young Judaea! If you would like to organize an event in your area, please contact alumni@youngjudaea.org. |
| Save The Dates: Upcoming YJ Alumni Events |
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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. Register online if you'd like to join Young Judaea on Sunday, May 31st.
October 18-26*, 2009: 100th Anniversary Israel Tour
Join Young Judaea alumni, family and friends for a 100th Anniversary Israel Tour. Highlights Include: Kibbutz Ketura, Beit Riklis, Old City, Dead Sea and Masada, Judaean-founded organizations and businesses, Judaean tour guides, alumni reunion event and more! Price (land only): $2,199, (additional fees not included). Minimum number of participants required, itinerary, price subject to change. Check out the flyer for more details, or register online.
*two-day extension optional |
| Young Judaea Alumni Love Stories |
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Sy and Dvora Friedman, Met at Tel Yehudah in 1948By Dvora Friedman 
Our romance began at the first National Tel Yehudah Camp in 1948 at Hendersonville, N.C., under the leadership of Norman Schanin, National Young Judaea Director.
I had just returned from the second year Machon course in Palestine (this is pre-the creation of the State of Israel). Before going on this course, I had made the commitment to work in the U.S. with Zionist youth groups for two years. Working at Tel Yehudah was a part of this commitment.
Sy had just quit his job at Macy's in order to work for Young Judaea in New York.
The first job the camp staff gave me was to put up screens on all of the cabins. So there I was, a real chalutza nailing screens on all of the windows and Sy looked up from his bunk to see who was making all this racket. Lo and behold ... It was none other than this famous "just returned from Palestine" personality. This was just the person he wanted to meet, for he long dreamed of going to Eretz ... So every evening he would make it his business to meet with me and it was then that he learned about the diary that I had kept while in Palestine and which then was in my home in Kansas City. However, I really didn't want to spend all of my free time with him. I had a boyfriend in Israel. But as luck would have it, this was the summer of the great Polio outbreak and all the staff was prohibited from leaving camp premises, so on our days off we could take food and spend the day on one of the islands of the camp.
On one of these "off days" Sy asked me where I was going once camp was over. I told him I was going to visit my aunt in Cincinnati so Sy said "why that's right on the way to N.Y., I could drive you there ..."
*New York
*Cincinnati
*Camp in Hendersonville, NC
When we got to Cincinnati, my aunt fell for Sy and asked me if I wanted her to invite him to stay for a few days. My response was "Oh no. Get rid of him. He is such a nudnick." This 'nudnick' then proceeded to get me a job working for the Long Island Zionist Youth Commisssion, got me registered with the Teachers College at the Jewish Theological Seminary (all jobs in New York, far. far away from K.C.).  We went together for two years before I realized I really loved this fellow who has a terrific sense of humor, very bright, someone who had a limited Jewish background but was really interested and volunteering in every Zionist activity possible to enrich his knowledge, someone who really wanted me to continue my educational and Jewish activities. After ten years as a social worker, he decided to study for the Rabbinate. He accomplished this with a wife and three children to support... In June we will be celebrating our 59th Wedding Anniversary. We just completed our umpteenth trip to Israel where one of our sons and his family reside. Sy is a retired Rabbi and I am a retired Social Worker. About 6 years ago, Sy finally found the time to read my diary and go through literally my hundreds of pictures I took in Israel and he felt this all should be published. We have almost completed it.
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| Profiles: YJ Alumni Staff Going Back to Camp |
Would you like to be profiled? Email alumni@youngjudaea.org.
Young Judaea alumni staff who are going back to camp this summer, were asked the following questions.
1. What are your favorite memories about your Young Judaea camp days?
2. What are you looking forward to about this upcoming summer at camp?
Enjoy reading their responses below -- and send them an email if you'd like to reconnect!
Andrew Fretwell (TY '00, '02-present, Sprout Lake '02, YC '03-04), Director of Youth Leadership
Favorite Memories? My favorite memories of camp are definitely of gathering in front of the makom t'fillah on Friday evenings to welcome in Shabbat with T'fillot. It was really incredible to see so many people dressed in white like the Kabbalists of Safed with the beautiful backdrop of the Delaware River and that special evening light that illuminates Shabbat.
Looking forward to? I am looking forward to innovating the education and programs we have at camp, inspiring our campers who have come to us from the regional camps and know Young Judaea well. Additionally I am excited to introduce new people to Young Judaea as well, like the participants in TY's new Russian speaking program, Havurah, and inspiring for them to joining the YJ Community.
Andrew can be contacted at afretwell@youngjudaea.org. Noah Wilker (Sprout Lake 91-93, TY '94-97, YC '98-99), Director of Operations, Camp Tel YehudahFavorite Memories? I would have to say that one of my favorite moments came when I was in solelim on the canoe trip with two of my best friends, Dani Rotstein and Amir Vonsover. All day we had battled with our foes for supremacy on the Delaware river. The day was winding to a close and the finish line was in site. As we rounded the final bend we saw that our friends in the only canoe that managed to stay ahead of us had capsized. This made us extraordinarily happy because we would finally be able to truly be triumphant. As we passed our friends in the water we stood up...heads held high...laughing and singing happily in the knowledge that no one would be able to knock us off the glorious pedestal we had clawed our way onto. At that exact moment our sturdy and trusted canoe slammed head first into an underwater rock, catapulting all three of us through the air for what felt like a solid ten yards...when we recovered and got our heads above water we saw our canoe, or the trim of it at least under a half a foot of water, completely submerged and unusable. We then looked at each other and then at our friends boats as they passed us by and just had to start laughing at the absurd moment. That was definitely a favorite moment. Looking forward to? I have had the opportunity to spend the past ten summers up at camp working and enjoying my time there. I have grown to really consider Camp Tel Yehudah as a second home and I still look forward to all the same things. The feeling I get once I hut Port Jervis and I know I am a half hour away, the amazing feeling driving down the hill in Aleph, the unbelievable community that I am a part of for the summer and of course the connections and friendships I make every year. It still is just as special of a place now as it was when I first started in Alumim almost 15 years ago and though the faces of the people in camp change, the connection is still just as strong as it was when I was a kid. Noah can be contacted at nwilker@youngjudaea.org. Noah Gallagher (CYJ Midwest '88-92, TY '92, YC '95-96), Director of Camp Young Judaea MidwestFavorite Memories? My favorite memories are of time spent with friends. They remain my closest friends in the world. No matter how long it has been since we last saw each other, we always manage to pick up where we left off. It's a different closeness than I have with anyone else. Many of them joined me at my wedding in January (see photo).  Looking forward to? I love being able to create an environment for campers where they can have an experience that, for the new campers, transcends anything they have ever experienced and, for the older campers, is "the best summer ever." I love watching as camp becomes their world - a place where they feel independent yet safe in every way. That is what allows them to grow. It never fails to amaze me just how much they grow from the day they arrive to the day they leave. Noah can be contacted at ngallagher@youngjudaea.org.
Marci Soifer, (CYJ Midwest '96-98, TY '97 & 99), Assistant Director, Camp Sprout Lake 2000-Present
Favorite Memories? My favorite memories about my Young Judaea camp days have got to be from my years as a chanicha (camper) at CYJ Midwest. I remember vivdly the way the lake smelled, the way time would fly when I sat in the Keshet (the CYJ Midwest benches; rainbow shaped) talking to my friends, the wonder of learning to do my own laundry as we ventured out of camp on buses to do our own wash at the laundry mat (I've heard they no longer do that; don't worry prospective parents), singing my heart out at shira and with the visiting folk singer Tom Pease, and of course, learning for the first time that Israel is a part of me.
Looking forward to? I am most looking forward to a new summer at CYJ Sprout Lake. In my 10 years of working at Sprout Lake and 7 years as a Young Judaea chanicha, I have been witness to a lot of innovations in Jewish camping, and fantastic developments in Young Judaea. However, in preparation for summer 2009, we have spent this year collecting feedback from neighboring camps, experts in the field of Jewish camping, and all of our CYJSL families and staff to make the best changes to camp that I have seen. For example, we are adding 3 elective hours to each chanich/chanicha's schedule this summer, when each chanich/chanicha will have the choice to focus or specialize in specific areas of camp. These electives will be in addition to the regular rikkud, shira, ropes course, etc. activities.
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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.
Nina Gilbert (CJ 79-83, TY 84, 85) --My husband, Hanoch Maskalchi, and I recently celebrated the birth of our third child in Israel, Guy Ephraim (born March 2), brother of Yanai (7) and Adara (2). Our family lives in Kfar Haoranim, near Modi'in.
Eric Ross (Sprout Lake 86, CJ 89-93, TY 93 & 95, Year Course 96-97, CJ Staff 96-98, Machon Staff 99) - So many wonderful things have happened lately, it almost seems like I've been dreaming. This past December I married the love of my life, Jaime, in Deerfield Beach. In January I became AIPAC's new North & Central Florida Area Director. And in March Jaime and I bought our first home in Tamarac. If any old friends would like to catch up, please feel free to reach me at USFYJ@aol.com.
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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
- Alan (TY '69-72, YC '72-73) and Elissa Queen announce the birth of their granddaughter, Aviva, born to Aviva and Steve Seiden on April 22, 2009. Great-grandparents, Phil and Billie Saltsberg, are also Judaeans.
ENGAGEMENTS
- Etan Ofrane (National Mazkir '97-98, YC 98-99, TY Ops Director) recently got engaged to Becky Hughes.
- Ben Fox Rubin (YC '99-00) recently got engaged to Allison Pollack. |
| Alumni In The News |
Baltimore Jewish Times Features Esther Rubin, 98, YJ Alumnae
In 1928, Esther Rubin won a free trip to Israel with Young Judaea. On the boat, she met her husband and famous artist, Reuven Rubin and to this day, Esther still lives in Tel Aviv (where she landed in 1929)! Esther has watched the city expand over the years and said, "I grow with the new Tel Aviv and am delighted to see the changes." Read the article. |
| Calling All Young Judaea Alumni Journalists! |
Can't stop yourself from googling Israel reading blogs? Do you want to work with the future of Jewish journalism? If you have experience or interest in journalism and would like to help Young Judaea by mentoring the next year's National Mazkirut with their online newsletter and blog or would like more information, please contact Andrew Fretwell, at afretwell@youngjudaea.org.
-Evan Gildenblatt, National Pirsum 2008-2009 and Andrew Fretwell, Director of Youth Leadership |
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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! |
| Current Judaeans In The News |
Young Judaea Year Course Participants Hold Night Vigil
Young Judaea Year Course took part in a night vigil with the family of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit at the family's protest tent near the Prime Minister's home as negotiations took place for his release.
2009 Young Judaea Israeli Dance Troupe -- 58th Year!
Congratulations to the 2009 Young Judaea Israeli Dance Troupe after their amazing performance in the 58th Annual Israel Folk Dance Festival and Festival of the Arts in New York City. Young Judaea is the only organization that has danced in this New York festival every year since its inception...58 straight years! This festival brings together Israeli dance troupes from all over the country and the world! |
| Israel Summer Program 2009 Madrich Needed! |
Want to get back to Israel and share your experiences in Israel with the future of YJ?
Young Judaea Israel Summer Programs needs one male madrich (counselor) for Summer 2009. As a madrich, you would be directly working with YJ members in 10th-12th grade showing them the beauty of Israel. Summer Programs is the opportunity to really pass on the love of Zionism and YJ in Israel. Please contact Casey Baker at 212 303 4580 or e-mail cbaker@youngjudaea.org if you are interested. |
| 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! | |
