Lorie and I met at CYJ California in the summer of 1979, she was 14, I was 15. I had been attending CYJ since the summer of 1973. In 1978 two of Lorie's older sisters (Liz and Rachael) came to camp and we had become friends. Lorie and Michelle, another sister who is four years younger, showed up as CYJ reloacted to Wonder Valley outside of Fresno.
 
I had a crush on her right away, she thought I was a dork. In time we became friends and pursued other camp relationships.  As the years progressed she and I had time to visit one another (she is from Southern California and I grew up in El Paso, TX). There were occasional flare-ups of a romance but the distances that seperated us made anything substantial impossible. Lorie did not go on Year Course but went on a different program in Israel. Nonetheless, she and I managed to see one another during that year and subsequently while she was attending college in New York City and I was in Austin we found ways to see each other. Throughout those years I continued to work for the movement and to work at CYJ Texas throughout the '80s.
 
Upon graduation from UT in 1988, I moved out to Los Angeles to attend graduate school. She had returned home after her graduation.  During my first year out in L.A. we went out once, had a fight and did not see each other much for the rest of the year.  During the intevening summer I was in Florida visiting my father and step-mother and I was lamenting my single status when it occured to me that there was someone out in L.A. who might be interested if I would just call. So, after working the High Holidays, I sent Lorie red roses for her birthday and eventually asked her for a formal date. We went to see The Bear (a dopey '80's movie) and had the time of our lives. We saw each other a few more time shortly thereafter and by Thanksgiving we were "exclusive."

 

Read their complete love story on the Young Judaea website.
   
You can read about other alumni love stories, including the Freed's, on the Young Judaea website.

Would you like to reconnect with your friends?  Log on to YJ Connect TODAY!  And to read about other alumni, please visit the Young Judaea website.
 

 

 

 

Almost 60 chanichim gathered at Camp Henry Horner outside Chicago for the Midwest Merchav Fall Convention.  The theme of the gathering was Justice, and the chanichim explored a range of issues from Darfuri refugees in Israel to hunger and poverty.  Shira, rikud, a murder mystery and lots of ruach rounded out the successful convention.  The Midwest Merchav mazkirut was able to pull off a memorable convention with the assistance of volunteer Senior Advisor, Alex "Shmalex" Frolkis who advised via Skype from Edmonton, Canada!  Volunteer madrichim, midwest alumni Zach Hirschman, Abby Gruber, Danny Siegel, Jared Frankel, Dan Kuhn, Alex and Liza Frolkis staffed the convention.  Volunteer administrative and logistical support was provided by YJ alumni (and parents) Eileen Freed, Nita Zisook, and Suzanne Wexler.

 

 

From December 23-30, 2009, Young Judaeans will be participating in Alternative Winter Break in Miami and will be updating the YJ community regularly through the YJ Alternative Winter Break Blog!  The YJ education staff, youth leadership will update the blog before and after AWB and we plan on AWB participants responding and posting comments themselves.  Check it out at www.alternativewinterbreak.wordpress.com!

Russell Heller (YC '04-05), current Shalem recruiter for Young Judaea, says that spending a year on Shalem allows participants to gain a strong connection to Israel, interact with Israelis and be a part of the culture, and volunteer in various places around the country.   Read the complete article. 

 

Just south of Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, a community of economically disadvantaged recent immigrants, is host to YC '09-10 participants who serve for three months as volunteer English teachers.  Since they're working with children often from difficult socioeconomic homes, their time in the classrooms has an impact that reaches far beyond the walls of the school.  Read more about the importance of their volunteer experience.

 

From LA to Afghanistan to Israel: Avi Liberman Raises Money Through Comedy What has become known as the Stand Up for Israel Comedy For Koby Tour, is headlined by Avi Liberman each year, and is becoming famous all over Israel.  New cities in Israel are being added to the schedule each year, as the audience grows and wants to hear new comedians.  This year's tour hosted Butch Bradley, Steve White and Mark Schiff.  Read more about this fundraiser.

 

The Erez-Slott family lives on Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava and talks openly about their lives.  They open their home to paint a picture of what their days look like, and what their responsibilities are for the Kibbutz and beyond.  Learn about life on Ketura for children and adults, alike.