Returning Home To Young Judaea
| We are proud to announce that many of our current staff are also Judaeans! What a statement of the power of the Movement, some people just can't leave. Young Judaea Alumni at camps and in Israel include:
Adam Jenshil, Year Course Director - YC'88-'89, YC Madrich '93-'94, YJ Shaliach '03-'06
Benji Lovitt, Israel Social Media Manager - CYJ Texas '84-'87, TY '88-'91, Machon In Israel '90, CYJ/TY/Machon in Israel Staff '91-'95, YC '92-93, National Staff '03-'06
Danielle Rubinstein, Southeast Recruiter - CJ '93-'97, Machon in Israel '99, Or HaDarom Mazkira 2001, TY '00, TY Staff '01-'04
Dee Mack, Year Course Office Manager - YC '99-'00
Jared White, Year Course Education Department - CJ '93-'99, Machon In Israel '01, YJ Solidarity Mission '2, YC '03-'04, Machon In Israel Staff '09
Jill Cohen-Bateman, Year Course Social Worker - Upper New York Region '74-'78, TY '76-'77, Sprout Lake Staff '78-'79, YC '78-'79, Hadracha Staff '81
Judy Cohen, Bat Yam Volunteer Coordinator - TY '64-'67, National Jr/Sr Coordinator '67-'68, YC '68-'69, TY Staff '71-'72
Kate Brody Nachman, Deputy Director of Year Course - NR YJ '86-'90, TY '88, Sprout Lake Staff '88, YC '90-'91, YC madricha '95-'96, Mercaz Hamagshimim Staff '96-'05
Mike Mitchell, Director WUJS Israel Hadassah - FZY Summer Programs '92, YC ' 93-'94, FZY Summer Camp Staff '95-97, YC Staff '01-'08
Sandra Bass, Director Camp Judaea - CJ '86-'89, TY '90-'02, CJ Staff '91-'98, YC '93-'94, CJ Assistant Director '98-'05
Shiri Akrish, Year Course Madricha - YC '04-'05
Talia Horan-Block, Assistant Director CYJ Sprout Lake - CYJ Midwest '91-'95, TY '96-'98, Machon in Israel '97, YC '99-'00
Each month we are profiling one of our alumni staff members - this month we introduce you to Danielle Rubinstein, Southeast Recruiter for Young Judaea Israel Programs.
 Danielle grew up a Young Judaean and acted as the Mazkira of Or HaDarom in 2001. Beginning as a chanicha in her local club at Beth David Congregation in Miami, She spent her summers as a camper at CJ and TY. After Year Course, Danielle attended the University of Central Florida gaining her Masters Degree in Non-Profit Management. Danielle's experiences in Young Judaea and YJ's Israel programs, Machon in Israel and Year Course, provided the trajectory of her career, and she says "It's great to combine my personal and professional passions together by working with Young Judaea. I get to send young people on incredible programs in Israel - the same programs that changed my life. I love promoting and recruiting young people for our programs and seeing them grow and change in the future."
|
| Where Are You? Alumni Updates |
|
| Robert Levine (L) and Sderot Mayor David Souskila in November 2010
|
Robert Levine, TY '49-50 and alumni of the very first Young Judaea Israel summer program in 195, has received the first ever Jewish Heritage Award granted by the Jewish National Fund of America at the JNF's annual conference in Atlanta, GA. Bob notes that the award is a tribute to his love of Israel and the Jewish People instilled in him by his years in Young Judaea and as a leader and madrich in the Movement. Mazel Tov Bob!
 WUJS Alumni and musician Abbie Silber (WUJS Arts track Sept. '09) was recently featured on Jewish Rock Radio, the first high-caliber international Jewish rock internet radio station. featured as an upcoming artist, Abbie said "A lot of the music that is featured under my emerging artist page was written while I was on WUJS and all were definitely written while I was in Israel last year. WUJS really helped me get to where I am." To read the full interview with Abbie and to hear her music check her out here.
.
|
| Alumni Lifecycle Events | |
Engagements
Sari Schulman (CJ '97-'98, Hadracha '02, CJ Staff '03-'05) and David Ohayon are pleased to announce their engagement. The couple currently lives in San Francisco.
Emma Cole (CYJ Texas '00-'1, YC '04-'05, CJY Texas Staff '04) and Ben Hillson (CJ '95-'00, TY '01, Machon in Israel '03, YC '04-'05, CJ Staff '05-'06) were recently engaged to be married. Ben and Emma met and while on Young Judaea's Year Course. No date has yet been set for the wedding.
Ari Levine (Sprout '88-'92, TY '93-'96, Machon in Israel '95, National Maz '96-'97, TY Staff '97-'02 YC '97-'98) and Shoshanna Goldenstien (CJ '93-'95, TY '96-'98, YC '99-'00) were recently engaged. The couple currently resides in New York City.
Weddings Hal Ungar (CJ'92-'97, 'TY '97-'00, Machon in Israel '98, YC '00-'01, CJ Staff '99-'04, National Maz. '99-'00, TY Staff '05) and Lauren Loeb were married on December 18, 2010 in New Orleans, LA.
Births Maya (Lachman) Hyman (CYJ West, TY, PNW Mazkira, Machon In Israel, YC '93, DMR and Seaboard Regional Director of Young Judaea), and her husband Rob, are pleased to announce the birth of Elizabeth Ruth on November 3, 2010.
Sanday Drashin Shapiro (CJ '86-'91, TY '92, Machon in Israel '93) welcomed Andi Charlotte on September 23, 2010. Both mother and daughter are doing great and Andi can't wait to go to camp!
Greg (CJ '87-'93, CJ Staff '94-'10, YC '96-'97, YJ Area Supervisor '04-'09) and Ilana (Daube) Schlam (CJ Staff '99-'04, CJ Assistant Director '05-'09), celebrated the birth of their new daughter Payton Victoria, who weighed in at 7lbs 1oz. She joined the family on December 15, 2010.
Rafi Weisz (Director of Short Term Israel Programs in Israel) and his wife Roni were pleased to welcome their third child on December 7 at Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem. The whole family is happy, healthy and tired!
|
Young Judaea Alumni Events and Reunions
| Year Course 1999-2000 Gather in New York City
Dori Mendel YC '99-'00 writes "The old adage that distance makes the heart grow fonder is best illustrated at any YJ event or
 | | Year Course '99-'00 alumni reunite in New York |
happening. Old friendships reuniting, reminiscing about good times, some bad decisions and about the foundation of life long friendship. YC '99-'00 had the chance to live out those memories at our recent 10 year reunion in NYC Oct 15-17, 2010. It was a wonderful weekend and series of events centered on reconnecting and rekindling decade old friendships.
With a main event on Friday night at a bar, followed by park time on Sunday and a dinner/outing that evening, the weekend of festivities proved a reminder about how much YJ has impacted the lives of our Shikva - and the lives of all the thousands of Judaeans who came before and after us. By the end of the weekend, albeit bittersweet, everyone left feeling more connected and re-energized for the next five
years. We hope to see everyone at our 15th reunion!"
Upcoming Reunions
Camp JudaeaCamp Judaea is holding a reunion in Israel at 7:30PM, December 25, 2010 for our 50th Anniversary. It will be held at the home of Susan Nehab, Moshav Beit Yitzhak, Netanya. For more information, contact Susan Nehab at susan@mnsys.co.il or 052-530-8018 Year Course 1969-1970There will be a Year Course 1969-1970 reunion held in Jerusalem December 31, 2010-Jan 1, 2011. If any members of YC '69-70 will be in Israel (or are now planning to be to attend the reunion). Please contact Peggy (Hesselson) Ginsburg, Marty Chazon or Judy (Hellman) Levy for more details. Looking for all Young Judaeans from Long Island who were active in the mid and late 70'sJoin us in Israel on January 5, 2011 from 7:00pm - 11:00pm. Bring your memorabilia, photos, tee shirts and memories! For additional information please contact Karen (Reiff) Katzman 60th anniversary of Israel Summer Programs In 2011 Young Judaea will celebrate 60 years of Israel Summer Programs. While Hadracha, Machon in Israel and Israel Discovery have all changed since that first group jetted off
 | | The first Young Judaea Israel Summer program in 1951 |
to Israel in 1951 - the mission of each program, experiencing Israel first hand and living Zionism never has. In order to make the last 60 years really come alive, we are collecting photos and memories ofIsrael Summer programs. You can send your pictures to Alana Cooper, Young Judaea Alumni Relations at 50 West 58th Street, New York New York 10019 or alumni@youngjudaea.org
| |
|
Support the YJ Camp and Israel Scholarship Fund
71% of emerging Jewish leaders (ages 25-40) attended Jewish camps and
55% spent time in Israel, according to a major study.*
As part of the Young Judaea family, you already know that summers spent at Jewish camp, and weeks or months spent in Israel, are life changing. You know that the connections you make through Young Judaea programs-connections to our shared heritage, our homeland, and to each other-stay with you forever. We need your support because Young Judaea program, principles and participants will impact the Jewish community-in America and in Israel-for years to come. 
You can give a boy or girl the joy of YJ overnight camp. You can help a young person connect with Israel through Year Course and our summer programs. You can change a life today.
| * From Generation of Change: How Leaders in their Twenties and Thirties are Reshaping American Jewish Life, a two-year study of over 3,000 young Jewish leaders, sponsored by the Avi Chai Foundation.
|
In Young Judaea News
| 
On December 23, 2010 more than 60 Young Judaeans from around the country will gather together in New Orleans for Alternative Winter Break. During the week-long program, Young Judaeans, aided by alumni and staff, will participate in community service activities and develop a stronger understanding of poverty and environmental sustainability issues affecting the Gulf Coast region today. "This year an amazing group of students has opted to forgo relaxation and vacation to participate in hands-on service programs in New Orleans, an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives" Said Andrew Fretwell, Young Judaea Alumni and Manager of Youth Leadership and Education.
Look for photos and memories of 2010 Alternative Winter Break in next month's Vatikim!
For more information check out our website
Year Course Responds to the Devastating Fires in Israel - by Ellis Bolle YC '10-'11
 Young Judaea Year Coursers and FZY (Federation of Zionist Youth, Young Judaea's sister movement in England) took to the streets of Jerusalem to raise money for Yemin Orde, a youth village destroyed by the fire in the North of Israel. We've just began the Jerusalem semester of the Year Course program and we are eager to get involved with charitable campaigns that fulfill Young Judaea and FZY's emphasis on the importance of tzedakah.
A group of us took the initiative to plan a fundraiser and we invited all chanichim to join us on Ben-Yehuda Street to collect money. We had a great turnout and there was a lot of positive energy amongst the group as we sung, dressed up, and handed out homemade cakes in exchange for donations.
Later, we moved to the Chanukah concert nearby where the lead singer of the Israeli band Shotei Hanevuah was playing. We worked our way through the crowds with Chanukah doughnuts and a bucket, and three Year Coursers even went on stage to promote our cause. Many people knew of Young Judaea/FZY and were happy to speak to us and find out what we are doing throughout the year. There was a strong sense of unity and generosity shared by the Israeli public and the volunteers last night, and I'm thrilled to say that we've already raised over 6000 shekels, well over our initial aim of 3000 NIS.
Northeast Winter Convention 2010
December 10th -12th the Northeast region held its Bogrim (8th -12th graders) winter convention at Vacamas camp in West Milford NJ. The mazkirut of Empire, LINYC, New staffing siteParticipants and 8 alumni staff members.
The convention theme of Advocacy for Israel was integrated into convention peulot centering on the importance and challenges of Israel advocacy. The chanichim were engaged, actively participating in the activities and bringing discussions to a incredible level. In addition to planned activities with discussion, interaction, and learning through doing, the "peulot"/educational activities pushed the chanichim to see all perspectives, challenging them and introducing them to new ideas.
The Northeast Social Action Programmers, planned a wonderful project and oversaw the creation and donation of more than 200 meals to a local homeless shelter. once again proving that Young Judaeans embody the true meaning of Tikkun Olam. While serious discussions and work took place, plenty of fun was had as well. Activities like meeting new people in addition to just having a good time and enjoying the weekend - from "icebreaker" games to dyadic encounter to a dance party, the chanichim had smiles on their faces all weekend long.
National Midwinter Convention
National Midwinter convention is coming up Feb.18-21, 2011 at CYJ Texas! We are still accepting applications for Alumni Staff until December 27, 2010. If you are interested in staffing, visit our staffing site for details, or email questions to yjconvention@youngjudaea.org
If you know someone interested in attending National Midwinter Convention, they can find all of the information about this great program on the National Midwinter Convention page, or by emailing yjconvention@youngjudaea.org
|
Young Judaea Camp and Israel Programs
|
|
Dispite already robust numbers in its Young Judaea Year Course program,Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is renewing its commitment to ensure that the program remains at the forefront of long-term opportunities for students in Israel, making it even more affordable. Students can attend a 2011-12 program for as little as $17,700.
|
|
|
Additional discounts include:
- Full payment by March 1, 2011 - discount of $1,000;
- 20% discount if you register and pay in full for a Year Course Specialty Track before January 1, 2011
- Previous participation on a YJ Israel Summer Program or Camp Tel Yehudah, combined with registration by December 31, 2010- additional discount of $1,000
- Host a post-registration information session for Young Judaea Israel programs and receive a $250 discount
For more information about Year Course or to register visit www.yearcourse.org
|
|
Young Judaea Israel Summer Programs Add Exciting New Options
In addition to YJ Machon (Tel Yehudah graduates only), YJ Italy (Italy + Israel), and YJ Discovery: (discover Israel!), YJ Summer Programs is running 2 new exciting programs this year:
YJ Aquatics: Red Sea, Dead Sea, Mediterranean Sea...You'll see it all! - YJ Aquatics is a summer program that offers participants the opportunity to explore the land of Israel and its surrounding bodies of water during a jam-packed, fun-filled 4 weeks. While in Israel, participants will explore the major sites, hike through land, float through seas, and learn about its history while strengthening their Zionist and Jewish identity.
YJ Focus: Hollywood in the Holy Land - YJ Focus is a summer program that offers its participants the opportunity to focus on Israel through a camera lens. While exploring the amazing sites of Israel, the participants will create videos and photographs about their experiences. The participants will be guided by professionals who will enable them to enrich their knowledge within the world of video, film production, and photography.
For more information and applications about these programs and our other YJ Summer Programs, go to www.yjsummer.org
Amirim registration is open!
Independent living in Israel!
Amirim, Young Judaea's in-depth Israel living and community service program for young adults, ages 18-27, is NOW OPEN.
By joining Amirim, you'll experience:
- Your choice of location: Bat Yam (vibrant suburb of Tel Aviv), Jerusalem (the heart of Israel) or Arad (the spiritual desert experience)
- Volunteer/Internship options in your area of interest - making a real difference!
- Unique cultural events, weekly group trips, Hebrew learning, and more
- Networking opportunities and resume building
Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, so don't wait!
Learn more today: www.amirimisrael.com
CYJ Texas is excited to announce that we are creating a community garden in conjunction with the City of Woodcreek. Our garden is part of our effort to become more environmentally friendly, we have decided to start growing our own produce to be used in our kitchens. For more information about this "growing" program, please contact Julia Paeglis at julia@cyjtexas.org
CYJ Midwest is offering a one week "Taste of Camp" Program for first time campers in 2nd-4th grades. The session will run from July 4-11, 2011, and will give campers an opportunity to experience all the activities CYJ Midwest has to offer. Enrollment is limited so register now! Contact Robin Anderson at robin@cyjmid.org or 847-675-6790 for details.
Camp Judaea has been active in working with military families to give their children a place to connect Jewishly. The effort called "Hope for Camp" has reached out to numerous Jewish children who would otherwise not have a Jewish summer experience. To lean more about "Hope for Camp", contact Lori Goldstein at lori@campjudaea.org or 303-634-7883 or visit us at www.campjudaea.org
Camp Tel Yehudah is launching 2 new programs in the summer of 2011. Machon Etgar, conducted completely in Hebrew and built around the Israeli Scout (Tzofim) camps. The Alternative Summer Break focuses on tikkun olam and social action while still allowing participants to live and experience the TY Community. Each program will run form July 25-Aug. 7, 2011. More information can be found at www.campty.org
New Camper Incentives at all Young Judaea Camps
All of the Young Judaea camps are currently offering an $1000 grants for campers who attend a full session (3.5 weeks) who have never had a Jewish, overnight camping experience* longer than 19 days. Check out information about YJ camps
here.
*Other restrictions may apply. please contact your YJ camp for further details.
Do you know anyone in Northern California who wants to attend a Camp Tel Yehudah or Israel Program?
Young Judaea has scholarship monies available exclusively for participants from Northern California. These scholarships can be used for Israel Summer Programs, Year Course or for Camp Tel Yehudah. To determine eligibility for this scholarship, please contact alumni@youngjudaea.org
|
| Employment Opportunities with Young Judaea |
Year Round Opportunity
Young Judaea is seeking a part-time Zionist activist, responsible for overseeing and implementing Young Judaea activities to college age and young professionals. This position is based out of Young Judaea's office in New York City. For more information, write to info@yjimpact.org
Summer Opportunities
Israel Summer Programs with Young Judaea is seeking alumni (who are at least 21 years old) to spend the summer in Israel with us. If you remember how amazing your experience in Israel and want to share your love of Israel with today's Judaeans, contact Diana Diner, Sr. Manager of Short-Term Israel Programs at ddiner@youngjudaea.org
Camp Young Judaea Midwest is looking for a few good men and women to fill our ranks this summer. We are currently looking for : Male and Female Counselors, Specialists in the following areas; mountain biking, arts and crafts, nature, video and photography and song leading. We are also looking to hire an office manager, babysitters , kitchen staff and a program director. If you are interested in learning more about our open positions, please contact Robin Anderson at robin@cyjmid.org or Apply on line today.
Camp Sprout Lake is looking for experienced specialists to fill senior positions in Arts and Crafts, Waterfront and Outdoor Education. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Talia Horan-Block at
thblock@youngjudaea.org
Camp Young Judaea in Texas is looking to hire the following positions: Nurse, Social Worker/Camp Mom, Art Director, Merakzim (Unit Heads), Ropes Course Director, Judaics Specialist, Office Assistant, Israeli Dance Specialist, Drama Specialist, Shira (Music/Singing) Specialist, Ropes Course Specialists. If any of the above positions look interesting to you, contact Yael Twito yael@cyjtexas.org for more information.
Tel Yehudah is currently hiring our tsevet for the summer 2011 season and want YJ alumni to fill as many positions as possible! We are looking for a Logistics Director, Driver, Kitchen Manager, Bookkeeper, Office Manager, Nurse and others. Of course, if you have other experiences and think you would be a great fit for camp, feel free to be in touch!
Contact Jamie Maxner at jmaxner@youngjudaea.org for more information or APPLY ONLINE TODAY! |
| Feedback and Suggestions | |
Email YJ Alumni Relations with your feedback and suggestions for future newsletters!
|
|
