| Young Judaea's 100th Anniversary Celebrations |
|
West Coast Judaeans Celebrate YJ's 100th Anniversary
By Meg Gordon and Jerry Weltsch
On August 30th, more than 120 people involved with Young Judaea, either as alumni, current and future members, as well as members of Hadassah with a vested interest in the Zionist youth movement, came together at historic Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco to celebrate Young Judaea's 100th anniversary and to support Camp Young Judaea (CYJ) West.
Below (L-R): Dan Kelmenson, Jeff Haas, Shannon Waas,
and Shelley Zulman catch up on old times.
 The program began with welcomes from Akiva Tor, Consul General of Israel, and Liz Alpert, President, Central Pacific Coast Region of Hadassah. The program included reminiscences of early Bay Area Young Judaea clubs (Reuven Jaffe), CYJ West at Sulphur Springs in the 1970s (Sandy Samuels), the meaning of growing up at CYJ West in the 1980s and 1990s (Jerry Weltsch), and stories of experiences in the movement today at CYJ West (Roey Kruvi). Not only did attendees kibitz and share memories, they also relived those memories through an ongoing slideshow of pictures they contributed before the event. In addition, the attendees had the opportunity to add their own memories to a posted timeline of Young Judaea milestones, which will be digitized and shared online.
Many attendees showed their support by participating in a silent auction, tasting wine from the Israel Wine company, and making personal donations to the camp. The event was underwritten through generous donations from Siobhan and Josh Korman, Eve Gordon-Ramek, Jon Levinson, and Sharon Cohen. The event was also supported by a number of Bay Area merchants who donated food.
|
| Alumni Love Story |
|
Gladys and Meir Goldman, from YJ's 25th National Convention, June 1933
At Young Judaea's 100th Anniversary celebration in New Orleans in July, I got the surprise of my life as we all viewed the wonderful archival photos being shown. There I noticed a large group photograph of the 25th National Convention of Young Judaea, held in Sharon, MA in June 1933. As that photo flashed on the screen, I wanted to stop it so I could look at faces, feeling certain that my father, a young Boston lawyer and Young Judaea leader, had to be in the picture.
The next day, from home, I asked for a copy of that photo to be sent to my computer. Enlarging it and scanning the faces, I was stunned and moved to tears to find both my mother and father in the photo! There they were, Gladys and Meyer Goldman, only a few months after their wedding, the only two in the photo looking at each other and holding hands. All others were looking at the photographer. This photo is especially precious to me as we have no photos of their wedding - lost in a fire in their first apartment. Thanks to the Hadassah archives, I now have this most wonderful photo, below. (the complete photograph can be found online).
My father established many new Young Judaea Clubs in the Boston area and by 1934, he was a National Vice President, under the presidency of a David Levine of New York City. Many of those my Dad called "his Young Judaeans" made Aliyah from Boston soon after the State of Israel was founded. He instilled his Zionist passion in me at a young age. I was active in Young Judaea for a short time while in high school, but many years later became active in Hadassah. Now on the Honorary Council of the National Board, I served as a Chapter, then Region President, continuing to serve on the National Board since 1986.
|
| 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.
Susan Levin (nee Lasensky) -- I was in Young Judaea when I lived in Metarie, Louisiana ('78, '79, '80,'81 - I think). I have been living in San Diego, California since 1986. I am married to Jordan Levin of Wilmette, Illinois and have 2 children (Zoe - 4 years and Joel - 17 months).
Rabbi Glenn Karonsky -- Shalom YJ Chevre! In the course of this momentous year I wish to send greetings to all of my chanichim and colleagues who worked with me in the National office and around the country and Eretz Yisrael during the eighties and nineties! In the National Office I am thinking primarily of three magnificent Chairs, Marlene Post, Renee Albert and Carol Goldsmith. The movement never had more loyal, fearless and devoted Hadassah supporters as these. To all who would like to be in touch, you can reach me at gkaronsky@bjela.org! Chazak V'amatz!
|
| Alumni Lifecycle Events |
|
BIRTHS
- Tamara Zucker Goldis (Sprout Lake '93, TY '94-97, ISP '96) and Eric Goldis announce the birth of their daughter, Layla Rose Goldis, born May 28, 2009, 8 lbs 9 oz and 19 1/2 inches.
- Helene Drobenare (Director, Sprout Lake) and Russ Hurwitz announce the birth of their daughter, Ma'ayan Hila on Friday, August 21, 2009. Big brother Caleb welcomes his little sister to the family
ENGAGEMENTS
- Rebecca Nadine Gil (Uri Tzafon Mazkira 2004, Machon 2003, TY '02, TY Tzevet '04-05, YC '04-05) from Swampscott, MA announces her engagement to to Michael "Rafi" Spiewak (YC '04-05) from Brooklyn, NY.
- Maya (Lachman) Hyman, (CYJ-West 1986-1990, TY 1989-1990,1997,2001, YC 1993-94) and Robert Hyman were married on June 28, 2009 in Washington, DC.
Right: Judaeans in attendance at Hyman wedding.
- Danny Shulman (CYJ Midwest '83-87, TY '88-91, YC '91-92) and Asherith Evan (CYJ Midwest '89, TY '90-92) rekindled an old flame, after not seeing each other in 18 years, and were married in June 2009. They now reside in Washington, D.C.
Captain Asaf Ramon - May his memory be blessed
By Gil Yaari, Shaliach
As you all remember, the Ramon family spent two years in Houston as Ilan was training to become the first Israeli Astronaut. We, in CYJ, had the pleasure and honor of having Asaf as a Segel camper in 2001. Six years ago, Feb 2003, Ilan died tragically, with the rest of the Colombia crew as they entered the atmosphere.
Asaf, his eldest son, was determined to continue on in his father's footsteps and become an Israeli Air Force pilot. 3 months ago he finished the intensive and most prestigious course in the IDF, receiving the "Honor of Excellency" from President Peres.
On Sunday, Sept 13th, Asaf crashed with his F-16 jet fighter in a course of advanced training in the Southern part of the Judaean Mountains. Asaf was buried, next to his father, in the small cemetery in Nahlal.
Here are some of the words of President Peres in the funeral:
"Today we are all Ramons. You will return to the photos in the father's albums... especially to the memories, the moments of glory in space and in the sky, and to the breaking points in the skies of Texas and the Hebron Hills.
"Our broken hearts are with you in every tear, every smile-sparking memory, and every moment of wrenching pain. Consolation is far away but there are things to be proud of, and there are things to hope for," he added.
May this great and courageous family never know sorrow again. Amen.
|
In Honor and Celebration of YJ's 100th Anniversary...
|
Celebrate a Century of Young Judaea, Honor Mel Reisfield 
Become a part of the $100,000 Campaign! For over 60 years, Mel Reisfield has played an integral part in the lives of hundred of thousands of Judaeans. As an educator, leader and mentor he continues to inspire us all to lives dedicated to social responsibility, filled with Jewish traditions and connected to the land of Israel, its language and culture.
To be part of the $100,000 Campaign to honor Mel Reisfield, Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Young Judaea and enable Young Judaea to continue to meet the challenges of the next 100 years with strength, vitality and joy, donate here.
Hadassah & YJ: Special Lifetime Membership OfferHadassah and Young Judaea: The Perfect Match. Become a Hadassah life member or Hadassah associate today! In honor of Young Judaea's 100th anniversary and to celebrate their special relationship, Hadassah welcomes alumni and current participants of any Young Judaea program to join at this special price. Pay $200. $100 goes directly towards Young Judaea scholarships, and $100 to Hadassah for a lifetime connection. Join or learn more today.
YJ is 100
Happy 100th Anniversary Young Judaea! For 100 years, Young Judaea has been connecting American Jewish youth to Israel and to each other. Won't you help us celebrate with an anniversary gift of $100? Details available here. |
| 10 Steps To Giving Back, Israel Programs Dept. |
|
Young Judaea's Israel Programs Department is looking for alumni to help local recruiters reach more young adults to spend time in Israel. Here is how you can help:
1. Are you a musician or author? Donate your CD's, books, or other giveaways, and we will give them as gifts.
2. If you are well connected to your community, share your resources with the local Recruiter.
3. Speak to your Rabbi, friends and family about the programs Young Judaea offers.
4. If you have a child between the ages of 15 and 35, our Recruiters would love to speak with your child and his or her friends about all of our programs.
5. Join your local Recruiter to speak at Israel Fairs and Information Nights about our programs.
6. Host an info session in your home.
7. Share your story of how your life has been impacted by your YJ Israel Program experience.
8. Offer to be a reference to those interested in the program.
9. If you work in a high school, synagogue, or university, you can assist with campus recruitment.
10. Add Israel Programs information to your Facebook page, blog, email signature, etc.
Our local Recruiters are looking forward to hearing from you! New Jersey: Omer Givati, 212-303-4581; New York: Diana Diner, 212-303-4580; Southern California: Jennifer Weinstein, 310-709-8015; West: Yossi Terbelos, 212-303-4580; Washington D.C. & Baltimore: Jennifer Putterman, 240-601-0738, Miami & S. Florida: Danielle Rubenstein, Sigalit Noakh, 786-269-8999; Texas: Gil Yaari, 713-723-8354; Boston: Meital Fischer, 617-734-4838; Midwest: Meytal Ozeri, 847-492-9604; Shalem: Russell Heller, 212-451-6215.
We are looking for YJ Alumni who are savvy with marketing. We are putting together an alumni circle, a team of our alumni who want to help us cultivate recruitment opportunities for Young Judaea Israel Programs throughout the US. If you are interested in joining our circle please contact Dan Deutsch, Director of Israel Programs at ddeutsch@youngjudaea.org. |
| Young Judaea Camp and Israel Program Updates |
|
This past summer, Jewish youth across the country enjoyed their summer at one of Young Judaea's six camps. Read updates from some of the camps and see what's in store for summer 2010! Read an update from Camp Young Judaea Texas. Check out the lastest Camp Tel Yehudah newsletter for 2009 summer reviews and 2010 plans. And learn more about Camp Judaea's Brick By Brick Campaign. Visit the CYJ Texas site for information about this past summer, as well as the leadership weekend for potential camp staff. Also, see what's happening at CYJ Midwest and how you can receive a discount on summer 2010 tuition.
Young Judaea's 53rd Year Course has over 300 high school graduates from the US, Canada, Great Britain and Israel who will spend nine months studying and volunteering, traveling and exploring, contributing to the growth of Israeli society, and deepening their own connections to the Jewish state. Watch this video to see some of the highlights of their first few weeks living, learning and volunteering in Israel.
Year Course 2009-2010 includes many new features, of which these are especially notable:
· The chanichim will divide their time equally among centers in Jerusalem, Bat Yam and Arad (development town in the Negev), enabling them to have very diverse experiences that are each typical of a segment of Israeli life.
· Academic studies, Ulpan and volunteering will be part of their program in each of the three centers.
The WUJS program in Israel for college graduates, got its new year underway this week in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The program, which provides six months of learning and professional internships for young people from around the world, is enjoying record-high enrollment, with 65 participants |
| Save the Dates--Upcoming YJ Alumni Events |
| Sunday, January 31, 2010 -- Los Angeles. Honor Young Judaea's 100th anniversary in Los Angeles. Planning is just beginning for the upcoming anniversary celebration, so contact YJ alumni relations to get involved TODAY! |
| 10Q: Questions For Reflecting This Time of the Year |
We are now in the month of Elul - the month in the Jewish calendar which, because it holds the Days of Awe - is considered the most reflective time in our calendar: a season for introspection and contemplation. And the tradition tells us that the height of this reflection is meant to occur during the ten days between (and including) Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
With this in mind, Reboot, a Jewish nonprofit organization, has created an initiative called 10Q. 10Q is an online series of questions that are emailed once a day during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Participants record their answers online, directly into the 10Q website (and users can elect to share their answers anonymously with other users, or keep them private). Each answer is then sent to an online secure vault, where it will sit for exactly one year before being returned to participants, who will then have the opportunity to reflect on their progress over the course of the year.
The questions tend to focus on the personal, asking participants to reflect on their relationships, aspirations, where they are in their lives, and where they hope to be. Participation requires no Jewish knowledge, just a willingness to step back from the daily grind for a moment, take a deep breath, and reflect on where you are, and where you'd like to be. |
| Feedback and Suggestions |
|
Email YJ Alumni Relations with your feedback and suggestions for future newsletters! | |
