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As the Jewish New Year approaches, we should take a step back and think about all we have done this year both good and bad. The year tends to slip by quickly and sometimes we forget the things which we have accomplished, more so the things that we as Young Judaea have accomplished. Events we planned, ranging from A Day Without Shoes to setting a place at the Passover Seder for Gilad Shalit, have made an impact.
In addition we created the first Ofarim/ Tsofim newsletter, established "tikun groups" to tackle important causes (read more about them below), reformed aspeha (election procedure), succesfully ran regional conventions, participated in the AIDS Walk, and created YJ Change for Change for Darfuri children. Many of us also changed our Facebook profile pictures to Gilad Shalit to advocate for his safe return.
Now, as we take a step forward and emerge from one of holiest times on the Jewish calendar, let's keep in mind all that we have done this year and all we are going to do in the upcoming year. Shana Tova!
-Emily Griminger and the rest of the 5771 Mazkirut
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Meet the MODELs and Tikun Groups!
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Zach Goldstein - Environment 
"Hi! According to the Pew U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, 77% of Jews in America believe that stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost, a much higher percentage than any other US religious group, and I'm proud that we are so united around this issue. The Environmental Tikun Group is a way for Young Judaea to inspire youth to action. While new to environmental activism, I'm excited by the potential for change that exists in America and the world today. I am considering getting a minor in Environmental Science Public Policy, beginning my exploration of this realm. We must respect the world we have been given. Since our planet is threatened, the Young Judaea Environmental Tikun Group will stand ready to answer the call, and I want to be a part of that."
Alli Hochberg - Human Rights
"Hello! I'm eager to participate in the MODEL Fellowship this year, working closely with the Human Rights Tikun Group. I have always had a strong tie to defending human rights. Growing up I volunteered at soup kitchens in my town, was vice president of the Interact Club at my high school and was active in multiple Darfur rallies. With the genocide in Darfur still occurring and other challenges such as gay rights, there is a lot of room for the members of the movement to take action in their communities and demonstrate their Jewish values."
Steven Karp - Israel Solidarity
"Hi! I am excited to be a part of this year cohort of MODEL fellows and I am especially eager for the opportunity to work with the Israel Solidarity Tikun Group.
Young Judaea has taught me so many things; heading up that list is learning how to stand in solidarity with Israel, while retaining a critical perspective. Today, there is a question of American-Jewish support for Israel because of recent political-diplomatic rifts. How do we reconcile when Israel makes a decision that we, or our government, disagree with or is misrepresented in the news and still stand behind her? This question, is the basis upon which a new generation of supporters of Israel will found their beliefs, and this Israel Solidarity Tikun Group is just one way that Young Judaea is fostering and acting on those beliefs."
Judith Tankel - Poverty
"Shalom! Volunteering has been a passion of mine since high school and the beginnings of my service are very connected to Young Judaea. Now that I am a YJ graduate, I feel lucky to work with and inspire current movement leaders.
I am especially excited to be working on the tikun group focusing on poverty. In my life I have been fortunate enough to not need to work to support my family. Because of this time that I was afforded, I have always tried to help those who are going through hard times to be able to get back on their feet and follow through on their own goals in life. I believe that education is one of the biggest keys to ending poverty and I look forward to working with such an amazing group of students to work to that end."
Caleb Zipperstein - Pikuach Nefesh
"Hi! I feel really connected to helping victims of domestic & non-domestic violence from my own experiences and its prevalance in our society to this day. Victims of this type of violence feel completely defenseless, without the will to speak up for themselves. Without having a voice, who are we?
It's something I really look forward to grappling with, understanding, and I am excited to work with the Pikuach Nefesh Tikun Group to try to resolve."
To read about the MODEL Fellowship, go to www.youngjudaea.org/model.
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The Year On: Israel, My Home
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By Maya Yair
 "So why do all that in Israel?" "What's the difference between Year Course in Israel, and a year in India or University of Maryland?" When people asked why I was going to Israel for 9 months instead of going to college, I would give a pretty typical response: Israel is my home and I want to know what its like to live there. Of course I had always considered Israel as my home - it is the home of the Jewish people, my parents and all of my family - but I never could have expected what it would be like to make my own home here. I had never actually experienced Israel on my own, in my day to day life. I knew that Year Course would enable me to become a part of Israel, not just a visitor.
At home, being in a Young Judaea environment is rare and special. The majority of you - just as I did - count down the days until camp, eagerly await every convention and talk incessantly about when the next event is. Judaeans form inherent connections with each other - why we like our camp friends so much more than our home friends seems to be the question none of us can answer. Whether you can pinpoint it as the reason for your obsession or not, we all crave the Kehila (community) that YJ creates. We love feeling inherently connected with people over something we grew up in - something in our blood. But then camp is over, the event comes to an end and we're back at home, feeling like we're just a little different than everyone else because we spent the weekend learning about Environmentalism in Israel instead of going to the movies.
Israel is a place where I have walked down the street on a Friday night and smelled Shabbat dinner. I have gone to the supermarket right before Erev Rosh HaShana and seen people rushing through the aisles to get home and cook dinner. Sitting on the ground in front of the Kotel, I have heard the Shofar blow and seen the throng of people racing towards the Chabad-provided free food. I have sat in the laundromat and meet a random American living in Arad who hsa told me about why he made Aliyah. I have read Ha'aretz and the Jerusalem Post with my roommate and then discussed our thoughts on settlements - not as part of a peulah, but our interest in the land where we live.
In Israel, I am constantly part of that community. I develop my Jewish Identity on a daily basis. On Year Course, I am living and breathing the land that I have learned about for my entire life.
Young Judaea Year Course in Israel is the leading gap year program in Israel, the program advertised to Judaeans more than any other, and the thing your counselors and friends just can't stop telling you about. When the average Judaean thinks about Year Course, they think about deferring from college for a year and having an experience that will complete their YJ journey. But what does it mean to actually be living in Israel for 9 months? I can honestly tell you that I had no idea until I got here. Oddly enough, that is the part of Year Course that is most often overlooked. Everyone is excited to live with their friends for 9 months, meet new people, leave home and be independent, and start the next chapter of their lives.
To read about Year Course, go to www.yearcourse.org. |
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Alternative Winter Break '10!
| | AWB 2010 Registration is open! Click Here to register for the 10% Early Bird Discount (until October 31st) and help us rebuild New Orleans from December 23rd-30th!
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Va'ad Machon
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That's right, Machon may be 8 months away, but planning for the best summer yet for Hadracha 2010 will be in full swing soon! If you want to be part of the action and work on the Va'ad Machon - Machon Planning Committee, contact Andrew Fretwell at AFretwell@youngjudaea.org. |
| NEW: The YJ Blog! | |
We are excited to introduce the new Young Judaea blog! This blog will become a crucial tool to connect everyone to discuss popular and controversial topics. Every time a new blog question is posted, a different group of people will be chosen to answer it. Keep a look out; one of those people could be you! If you have anything that you would like to discuss on the blog, or topic that you think should be brought to the attention of Judaeans nation-wide, email EJGrim@gmail.com.
This Month's Question is, "What is your wish for the Jewish People for 5771?" and we asked 6 different movement teen leaders from across the country.
CLICK HERE (yjblog.wordpress.com) TO SEE THEIR RESPONSES, FROM PEACE WITH PALESTINIANS TO JEWISH PLURALISM!
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Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming YJ Events!
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October 9th-10th Northeast Winter Convention Think Tank (by invitation only) Long Island
Octber 10th, 12:00pm-6:00pm
Sprout Lake Alumni Reunion at Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake
October 16th
Midwest Darfur Day of Action
October 22nd-24th Northeast Fall Camp at Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake
October 28th-31st Camp Young Judaea Texas Family Camp at Camp Young Judaea Texas
October 29th-31st
San Diego LTS (by invitation) Jacob Barton's House
October 29th-31st Northeast LTS Westchester, NY (by invitation)
November 6th-7th
NJ/NY/EPA 8th grade overnight at Congregation B'nai Israel in Emerson, NJ
December 3rd-5th Midwest Winter Convention
December 10th - 12th
Northeast Winter Convention
If you are planning a YJ event in your area, please click here to fill out the YJ event approval form.
To learn more about regional and local activities in your area, please contact Odessa Max at Odessa_Max@yahoo.com.
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Kids' Korner!
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Click Here to check out the year's first edition of Pinat Yeladim, the "kids korner" for our webpage for Ofarim and Tsofim!
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Darfur Day of Action
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October 3rd was Darfur Day of Action and Young Judaeans around the country, from New York, to Maryland to the West Coast raised awareness about Darfur. Here is an account of a "Die-In" by the Plaza Hotel in New York by Rachel Grafman.
Two days ago, over 50 Judaeans and members of STAND clubs across the tri-state area gathered on the West side of 5th Avenue (near the Plaza Hotel) to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur and to participate in a "die in." "What is a die-in?" you might ask. Well, a die-in is a type of demonstration (made popular on college campuses during the second Iraq war) where a group of people peacefully play dead as a form of protest. Dressed in all black, members of Ganei Yehudah, Emperia, and LINYCgathered near the Plaza Hotel, with its many foreign dignitaries, held paper tombstones with facts about the genocide, and calling to everyone's conscious. At 4pm, we began our silent protest.
Instantly, we were noticed by people from all directions, those who approached were greeted with facts and fliers by Northeast SAP's sharing information and encouraging people to take action. During the protest, far too many times did I hear things like, "who's Darfur?" and "what's a genocide?" Knowing that Judaeans all over the country were educating people was very empowering. It was an inspiring way to start the year and I hope to see more events like this one soon!
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The Social Network
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| | Click here to see the YJ Picasa Gallery!
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