Rica Mendes, CYJSL 83-87, TY 88-91, YC 92-93 let us know that she: leads a very busy life spending her weekdays as Web Operations Manager of AXXUN Inc, weekends at the Trek Bicycle Store of Fairfield, launching a green/vegan jewelry, accessory & cycling accoutrement business

called COURSE (inspired by Year Course) using recycled bicycle parts and as a LIVESTRONG Leader for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. In 2010, she and her Judaean children, Zachary and Ariella, raised nearly $8,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and she and Zach rode in the LIVESTRONG Challenge - Austin, completing 65 miles and crossing the finish line together.  Never forgetting her Judaean roots, Rica has been volunteering  with YJ alumni. Rica lives in Westchester, New York with her 2 children, who attend Sprout Lake. Learn more about what Rica has been up to, check out her blog at ricalivestrong.blogspot.com.

Name:  Buzzy Gordon 

Profession/Title:  Writer/Author; Tour Designer                                  

Tell us your favorite memory(ies) from Young Judaea: 

On YC, we greeted olim from the Former Soviet Union, during the height of the struggle to free Soviet Jewry. The scene at the airport was moving and unforgettable.

 How has your Young Judaea experience impacted your life today? 

My YC participation was instrumental in my decision to become an oleh.

Please describe your current professional involvement.  What do you do?  

I am the author of Frommer's Jerusalem Day by Day Guide. I currently design Jewish heritage tours worldwide.

Are you currently involved with Young Judaea or Hadassah?   If not, would you like to be?  Please describe. 

I would very much like to lecture to YJ and Hadassah groups about Jerusalem, Israel, and "traveling Jewishly."  

Please describe how/if your YJ experience encouraged you to visit/have closer ties to Israel. 

YJ was responsible for my Zionist education.

Where are you living now? 

I divide my time between the US and Jerusalem.

If you've made Aliyah (or lived in Israel for a significant amount of time after YJ), how did your YJ experience encourage that move? 

TY and YC - as both a chanikh and madrikh - were the formative experiences of my life.

I encourage people to contact me: buzzygo@gmail.com

Engagements

Sandy (Lew) (YC '80-'81) and Alon Sela (Garin Zimran) are happy to announce the engagement of their son Guy to Shiran Basli.   The wedding is scheduled to take place in September in Israel.  Sandy and Alon met on Ketura, were married in '84 and reside in Rishon Lezion, Israel.

Katie Greenberg (YC '04-'05) and Matan Glazer will be married on March 31, 2011.   Katie and Matan met at Kibbutz Keturah while Katie was on Year Course and Matan was serving in a special IDF unit, spending part of his service volunteering at Keturah.  

 
Weddings 

Rebecca Nadine Gil (TY '02, TY Staff '04-'05, Regional Maz '02-'04, ISP '03, YC '04-'05) and Michael Rafi Spiewak (Shalem '04-'05, ISP Staff '07) were wed on August 1, 2010 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, MA. Celebrating with the married couple were several of their Young Judaea and Year Course friends.

Farrah Kahalnik (CYJT '90-'94, clubs '94-'98, TY '94-'97, ISP '96, CYJT '98-'01, TY Staff '03) and Michael Cohen were married on February 2, 2011. Mazel tov to the couple.

Births

Adi Rom (Young Judaea Israel Staff) welcomed a beautiful baby boy on March 16, 2011. Both mom and baby are doing well.

Oshik Maoz-Metzl (TY Staff '02 '03 '05 '06, CYJMidwest Staff '04 ) and Daniel Maoz-Metzl, along with the whole Young Judaea family, welcomed the birth of their first child, Yuval.

Young Judaea Goes to the Movies

Meet The Young Judaea Staff - Yelena Pogorelsky

Yelena and the Havurah Staff

Yelena Pogorelsky, project manager for Havurah-TY, immigrated to the Unites States with her family when she was fifteen years old.Settling in Brooklyn, New York she worked in the midst of the Russian-speaking community throughout high school and college.  Drawing on her experience as a camper in a JAFI summer camp in the Former Soviet Union she spent two summers working at a Jewish day camp and assisted in a pediatric medical office in the heart of Bensonhurst while getting her BA in Business Administration.    

   After graduation, Yelena spent five years at a major investment bank but decided to look for a more fulfilling career path with us here at Young Judaea, as the program director for Havurah at Tel Yehudah. Havurah is an innovative camp program for members of the Russian speaking Jewish  community. Run within Tel Yehudah's framework, Havurah offers a unique approach to the discovery of the participants' Jewish identity and belonging to the Jewish community by placing a significant value on their unique heritage.  

   The common culture of the campers and staff allows these teens to take pride in their background and make connections with the wider Jewish community.  The program is generously subsidized by our partners, The Foundation for Jewish Camp, Genesis Philanthropy Group and The Jewish Agency for Israel allow Young Judaea to give these teens a meaningful and fun summer. And Yelena brings a unique combination of her background and professional skills to the position of the program director of this groundbreaking program.

   Since the inception of the program more than 220 teens have participated in Havurah. Welcoming campers from all over the US, Canada and Israel, these campers contribute to a vibrant and international atmosphere at TY.   

    This new and evolving program allows the camp to experiment with new formats and to adopt some of the most successful elements in its programming and staff training. Following this proven model, Tel Yehudah is now reaching out to the Israeli community by offering a new program conducted entirely in Hebrew called Machaneh Etgar.     

    Since the first time Havurah campers have set their foot on Tel Yehudah, they have been

embracing Young Judaea and changing the organization's face. 2009 Havurah graduate, Ilan Simanin has been active in Maryland YJ  and is about to become the first Havurah camper to go on the Year Course in Israel. 

     Additionally, Havurah campers ran for the National Mazkirut at the Mid-Winter Convention past February, and one of them, Jacob Groysman, will assume the responsibilities of the Pirsum of the newly elected board during the summer convention.    

    If you know any potential Havurah campers, would like more information on this exciting program, Macheneh Etgar or any of the TY programs, feel free to contact Yelena at ypogorelsky@youngjudaea.org or check out the TY website. 

 
Camp Friends reunite in New York City

Melissa Charney let us know that,on February 26th a group of alumni who belong to Young Judaea and attended Camp Tel Yehudah back in the early 80's got together for a third annual but unofficial reunion on the Lower East Side of NYC. It's always a lot of fun to reminisce, reconnect and have the opportunity to meet a few alums that you never had the pleasure to get to know!  The attendees vary each year but one thing is constant. A good time is had by all! This year Melissa Charney, Dafna Schroeder Cohen,Tracey Brown Appelbaum, Andy Appelbaum, Joshua Belsky , Karen Silverman, Craig Caplan, Dan Hume, Mike Eisenberg, Amy Berg, August Leppelmeier, Julie Kolman Powell, Nancy Joffe Sorrento, Susan Belsky, Elliott Feigenbaum, Yvette Rodburg, Sam Gedal , Arieh Fox were some of the attendees. See you all next year!

Spring Alumni Events:

The upcoming weeks and months are getting filled up with exciting Young Judaea Alumni reunions and events. You can see what's going on around the country, and in your neck of the woods by visiting our Alumni site at youngjudaea.org/alumni 

or the Young Judaea calendar! Check back often for updates and new additions. Remember that you can always plan an event and add it to the calendar (and the website and Vatikim) by contacting Alana in the Alumni Affairs office at alumni@youngjudaea.org or at 212-303-4589.

60th Anniversary Israeli Dance Festival - April 3, 2011 3:30 pm

The Young Judaea Dance Troupe

Join us in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Israel Folk Dance Festival and Festival of the Arts, a program of the Israeli Dance Institute. Come and support our Young Judaea Dance Troupe will be dancing for the 60th year - don't miss the performance!  

Over 250 dancers and singers from communities throughout North and South America come together to perform on stage. Young Judaea will be hosting activities throughout Rivkaleh's Fair leading up to the festival on Sunday April 3,  from 11am-3pm. The performance begins at 3:30 pm. We will see you at The Martin Luther King, Jr Educational Campus (Amsterdam Ave at 65th St.) in Manhattan. Tickets are  $18 (children $13) and are available with more information at  www.israelidanceinstitute.org or contact Nicole Rand, Sr. Manager, Year Round Programs at nrand@youngjudaea.org  

South Florida Young Professionals Night Out - April 3, 2011 7:00 pm-10:00pm 

Spend a fun and informal evening reconnecting with friends from camp, Year Course, clubs and Israel Programs at Weber Cafe at the Waterways - 3365 NE 207th Street, Aventura FL. 10% off all drinks and menu items! We can't wait to see you there! For additional information or to RSVP contact Tzvika Gottlieb at tgottlieb@youngjudaea.org 

Charlotte Matzoh and More! - April 24, 2011 4:00pm - 6:00pm 

Yes, there really are Young Judaea Alumni in Charlotte and the surrounding areas, and it's time we got together. Come and schmooze, nosh (some Kosher for Passover treats), and find out who else is a Judaean in the Queen City. We will meet at Roz Cooper's home 1121 Jericho Lane in Charlotte. For additional details, directions or to RSVP contact acooper@youngjudaea.org or 917-929-2671

Garin Atid 10th Anniversary - April 28, 2011 5:00pm

Calling all Garin Atid Alumni and all Year Course members from 2001-2011 living in Israel!!! You are cordially invited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Garin Atid at Beit Hatfutsot on the campus Tel Aviv University. Please RSVP at the Garin Atid Facebook page.  

WUJS Alumni Gathering -  May 25, 2011 6:30pm-9:00pm

Mix and mingle with other WUJS alumni from around the tri-state area at a post-work reception hosted at Herrick, Feinstein LLP, 2 Park Avenue, New York New York. To RSVP and for more information, please contact Alana Cooper or Yael Libedinsky.  

Salute to Israel Parade - June 5, 2011 

Join current Young Judaeans, Hadassah members and alumni as we proudly march in the 62nd Salute To Israel Parade on June 5, 2011. The parade route begins at 57th Street and 5th Avenue in NYC from 11am-4pm rain or shine. More details will be available soon! We can't wait to march with you - to let us know you are coming or for additional information, please contact Rachel at rcomstock@youngjudaea.orgrcomstock@youngjudaea.org 

Honoring Mel Reisfeld

On Monday May 30^th  Year Course will honor Mel Reisfeld at our closing ceremony.   Mel has contributed to the education of Young Judaea in Israel and the US, at camp and on Year Course.  You are invited to attend the ceremony if you will be in Israel, or send video, stories and best wishes that we can incorporate into the tribute to Mel.  We welcome your contributions to the tribute are welcome whether you can attend the ceremony or not.  Please reply to Sharon at Sharon@yji.org.il  

Upcoming Reunions:  

Camp Judaea 50th Reunion
Camp Judaea is continuing the celebration this summer,  Camp Judaea, founded in 1961, will be

celebrating its 50th summer this year! We invite the entire CJ Family to join us at Camp Judaea, in Hendersonville, North Carolina, this Labor Day weekend (September 2-4, 2011) to celebrate 50 wonderful years. We will start with Shabbat services and dinner and go all the way through brunch on Sunday. Tickets are $180 per person. For more details, please visit our Celebration website at www.campjudaea50th.com or email us at

Celebration@CampJudaea.org 

Camp Young Judaea Texas

2012 will mark Camp Young Judaea Texas's 60th Anniversary.  We are planning numerous activities through out the year to mark this momentous occasion.   Camp Young Judaea Texas  friends, family and alumni will  participate in city dinners, poker and mah jong tournaments, and our culmination Celebration Weekend at camp, which will take place during the Spring of 2012. Contact Jessica Starkschall at jessica@cyjtexas.org to stay connected, learn about the plans and progress, or make a contribution to support our 60th Anniversary Celebration

.

Year Course '91-'92 20th Reunion

A planning committee for the Year Course '91-'92 20th Anniversary reunion has already started to work on plans for an exciting weekend reunion this summer! We may be getting a bit older, but our friendships are as young and fresh as ever. If you are interested in joining the committee or want more information, contact alumni@youngjudaea.org. More information will be available soon!  If you are a member of YC '91-'92 we are also looking for your input on the reunion - fill out our survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QNTLZDK 

Year Course 81-82 Reunion - Has it really been 30 years?

Section I

- After 30 years, we decided that it was high time for a reunion! Although it is still early in the planning process, the excitement is building and we want to hear from all of our Chavarim! For more info (and to make sure that we have all of your current contact information) please feel free to email Lee Kaplan at leeskaplan@gmail.com 

Machon L'Madrichei Chutz la'Aretz

- Join us for a great weekend reunion July 29-31, 2011 on the East Coast. We have an amazing group coming from all over the world and from all movements and would hate for you to miss it! For more information contact Sindy Wayne at swayne24@comcast.net 

Year Course 1977-1978

After 30 years, this amazing group of Alumni reunited and created a bond that will continue for years to come. What's in store next you ask?

The 1977-1978 Year Course Alumni group will gather together at the Newport Beachside Resort and Spa on Sunny Isles Beach in Miami on March 2-4, 2012 as they CELEBRATE the 35th anniversary of their Year Course.  

The Florida Judaeans are busy planning and organizing what is sure to be an amazing weekend of fun and friendship! We are in contact with most of our alumni, still searching for a few missing people and are hoping to have a tremendous turnout! If you are a missing alum, want to assist in planning, are going to be there or are just looking for more information please contact Robin Mendelson at YearCourse77.78@gmail.com

Strolling Down Memory Lane

Young Judaea Summer Israel Programs is celebrating its 60th anniversary and needs your help for our celebration!  We are looking for photos, stories and memorabilia from any Young Judaea Israel Programs. If you have anything you would like to share with us, please let Alana know at acooper@youngjudaea.org or you can send them to Alana Cooper, Alumni Relations Manager 50 W. 58th Street, New York New York 10019

To see what is new with YJ's Israel Summer programs, join the facebook page YJ Summer Programs in Israel or the summer program website at

www.YJsummer.org   

National Midwinter Convention - More than One Hundred Judaeans Can't Be Wrong!!! 

The 2011-2012 National Mazkirut

Young Judaea held our annual National Midwinter Convention at Camp Young Judaea Texas Feb. 18-21.  Over one hundred of the Movement's high school leaders and members gathered for a full array of peer-led educational activities centered upon Israel, Jewish Peoplehood, and challenges and activism today within Zionism.

    As part of the century old legacy of peer leadership members also voted in a new Mazkirut (all of whom are current 11th graders). In addition to electing a new Mazkirut, Young Judaeans also conducted several other important pieces of business including officially joining the "Coalition of Jewish Teen Leaders", and focused on the Keshet Pledge to create safe spaces within the Jewish community for LGBTQ teens. During the Asepha, the convention attendees unanimously voted to join the coalition currently including BBYO, NFTY, NCSY and USY.

     The other significant motion passed, added a clause to the Chukah which reads "based on our belief in Kol Yisrael Avrevim Ze la Ze (All of Israel is responsible one for another) we are all responsible for creating an environment that is safe, emotionally and physically for all members of our kehila(community)."

      YJ Alumni, always showing how to be a dugma, provided staffing for the convention. Volunteers included  Emilie Seckel (TY '07, YC '09-10), Hannah Speigel (TY '06-'07, Sprout '02-'04), Leah Whiteman (TY '07, YC '09-10), Seth Finkelstein (TY '03-'05, ISP '06, YC '07-'08), Monica Blitzer (YC '09-'10), Alex Zaremba (TY '03-'05, ISP '06, YC '07-'08), Judith Tankel (TY '04-'05, ISP '06, YC '07-'08), Caleb Zipperstein (YC '07-'08), Ben Freed (TY '03-'05, ISP '06, YC '07-'08), Mike Schwartz (YC '04-'05, TY Staff '05), Allison Rovensky (ISP '08), Maya Yair (Sprout '05, TY '06-'07) and Noah Berman (TY '07, ISP '08, YC '09-'10). Thanks for all their help.
 
For more information on the newly elected Mazkirut or the rest of the hard work (and fun) from Convention please visit the Young Judaea website.

Young Judaea's Alternative Winter Break Makes a Difference and a Movie!

YJ's AWB program was a huge success. Making the week of service even more exciting was the movie made by our own Judaeans - and shot during the program in New Orleans. See if you can catch a cameo by volunteer David Eber, YC '03-'04! Watch the video here

Upcomming Young Judaea Events  

   YJ clubs and regions are revving up their programming and getting busy before camp and Israel Programs start in just a few months. For information on what is going on all over the country from conventions, to Year Course orientations, to club elections check out the Young Judaea calendar! It will even have Alumni events and reunions! A few of the upcoming events not to be missed are:

Midwest Spring Convention - March 31, 2011  Spend a Shabbat with Young Judaeans from grades 8-12 at beautiful Camp Henry Horner in Il. Visit here to register or for more information.
New York Israeli Dance Festival - April 3, 2011  New York Israeli Dance Festival. 11:00am-3:00pm Israeli activity fair, Dance Performance begins at 3:30pm. Join us in supporting our Young Judaea Israeli Dance Troupe! Tickets are $18 for Adults and $13 for Children. MLK Educational Campus in Manhattan. For more information and for tickets visit israelidanceinstitute.org

J-Serve -April 10, 2011  A single day on which Jewish teens across the country perform acts of community service in conjunction with Youth Service America's Global Youth Service Day. The goal of J-Serve is to create an event around which the Jewish community can mobilize across denominational lines. Both a planning and an educational toolkit are available. For more information, or to register visit YJ's J-Serve site.

For more information on what our current Judaeans are doing check out the following sites:

Our brand new Young Judaea Calendar  - Find out what Young Judaea clubs and regions around the country are doing!

Ma HaMatzav - A weekly digest created by the YJ Mazkirut focusing on what's happening in Israel, the US and around the world.

Kol Hat'nua - The Young Judaea Newsletter. Keep up with what is going on and what the Judaeans are thinking!

In-Sites - A new e-publication from Hadassah and Young Judaea. Its a great resource to keep up with what's new in YJ!

Young Judaea Israel Programs

Young Judaea Year Course in Israel is the largest and oldest gap year program in Israel for recent high school graduates. Over the course of nine months, Year Course participants immerse themselves in all aspects of Israeli life and culture - learning Hebrew, interacting with their Israeli peers, developing an appreciation for their Jewish heritage and exploring Israel through a variety of volunteer placements. Accredited college-level courses, extensive travel, independent/group living are all available - and so much more! The program and faces may have changed since your Year Course, but the experience and the enthusiasm remain the same.  

For more information about  Year Course  or to register visit

www.yearcourse.org

Discounts are still available for Year Course 2011-2012!

·         Eligible Year Course registrants who refer friends can receive a discount  

    of $500 (per referral) off their own tuition. See the details and rules here.

·         You can support Year Course and earn money too! Alumni are still eligible

    for a $500 referral bonus! Find the details and rules here.

Learn about what's happening on Year Course through the eyes of our current YC'ers!   Read the Year Course Blog!

Watch the YouTube video of Why Young Judaeans should go on Year Course! It will make you remember why you did....then let us know what made the decison for you. Send us the story of how you chose to go on year course to alumni@youngjudaea.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

Do you know someone who is thinking about going to Israel this summer? Early bird discounts of $300 are still available for YJ Italy, YJ Discovery, YJ Aquatics and YJ Focus! Hurry before time runs out!!!  

Amirim - A Great Way to Spend a Great Summer

   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.

Spots are filling up fast! Register for Amirim NOW!!

Amirim is Young Judaea's 4 or 8 week summer volunteer/internship program for 18-27 year olds. Participants volunteer/intern 4 days a week, enjoy cultural events, explore Israel with optional trips and still have plenty of time to explore on their own. Based in Jerusalem, Arad or Bat Yam, experience group apartment living in Israel!   

For additional information or to apply visit  www.amirimisrael.com 

Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, so don't wait!   

Young Judaea Camps

Stay involved in Young Judaea - Work with us. Young Judaea has several professional opportunities available. We would love to work with you...  

Year Round Opportunities

Year Course Madrichim 2011-12 

Recent College Graduates: Rise to the Zionist challenge.  Spend a year helping Year Couse participants have a life-changing Israel experience.  Year Course is looking for madrichim. Dates - mid-August 2011until the 6th of June 2012. If you are interested please send resumes to Adam Jenshil -  YC Director at adamj@yji.org.il

If you have lots of energy, are good with 18 year olds, work well in a team and care about Israel and Young Judaea, this could be the opportunity for you.

Summer Opportunities

Israel Summer Programs with Young Judaea is seeking a few good (male) 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 in Texas is looking to hire the following positions:  Rosh Moochim (head of specialists), Nurse, Waterfront Director, Social Worker/Camp Mom, Merakzim (Unit Heads), Ropes Course Director, Israeli Dance Specialist, Drama Specialist, Shira (Music/Singing) Specialist, Ropes Course Specialists, and lifeguards.  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! 

For more information or additional opportunities visit youngjudaea.org/employment

Email YJ Alumni Relations with your feedback and suggestions for future newsletters!