Welcome to The Alumni Insider, a quarterly newsletter to build connections between alumni.
Share a story, keep us posted and stay connected! Submit any news or updates that you would like to see in our next issue to by clicking here.

Digital Yearbooks
Making a Difference
Give Back
Good & Welfare
We are looking for former campers and staff to get involved on our newly formed alumni committee. If you are interested in learning more, please email Ellen Finestone at [email protected]
Camp is Back!
We are very excited to report that we had an amazing first week at camp! Even though CYJ looks a little bit different this year, campers are settling in and restrictions are being lifted day to day.

You can view some of our camper photos by visiting the @cyjmidwest Instagram page by clicking here.
Save The Date!
Digital Yearbooks & Alumni Website
Imagine the ability to find long lost CYJ friends, network professionally within the vast Camp Young Judaea Midwest alumni and parent community, and catch-up on alumni life-cycle and milestone events. Check out our brand new Alumni page and get connected today!

We have almost every yearbook digitized just for you!
Click here to start exploring!
Campers Making A Difference
Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
We are excited to partner with Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary. Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary, Inc (HEA) is a growing companion animal welfare organization entirely focused on creating a world where the life of every companion animal matters...Every.Single.One. At the end of each session, we have asked our families to leave their towels behind for an in-kind donation to this wonderful organization.
Give Back to CYJ
CYJ Midwest has launched our CYJ Forever Legacy Society to ensure future generations can share in this legacy and to give you an opportunity to continue to be a part of our future, forever. Click here for more information.
Don't forget to shop through Amazon Smile for donations to CYJ Midwest when you shop Amazon. Just go to www.smile.amazon.com for the exact same products and Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase.

You can set your account to always give to CYJ on every purchase, forever.
Good & Welfare
Mazel Tov to....

Robbie Deutch and wife Elizabeth on the birth of their son Leon Maxwell on March 19.

Jeremy Goldberg and wife Lisa along with big sister Zoe on the birth of their daughter Ruby Gert on March 22.

Aliza Wucher and husband Pinchus on the birth of their daughter Esther Liba Zell on May 18.
Mazel Tov to....

Cari Milch and Yehonatan Michaeli on their May 15th wedding.

Ben Freed and Ariane Barrie-Stern on their May 20th wedding.

Aaron Rusnak and Taylor Riskin on their May 30th wedding.

Chaim Chernoff and Liat Greenwood on their May 31st wedding.

Ari Kirsh and Ludo Efrati on their June 6th engagement.
Alumni In The News
Join Geoffrey Baer as he puts contestants from all across Chicago and the suburbs to the test as they contemplate...

Camp Alum, Ezra Landman-Feigelson was featured as a contestant on The Great Chicago Quiz on WTTW. Check out his contestant profile by clicking here.
When COVID-19 hit and I witnessed the economic impact and the corresponding rise of people facing food insecurity, I began volunteering at the Newton Food Pantry...


Sindy Wayne is a former Central States Mazkirut (1977-81), CYJ Michigan Camper (1976-78), Tel Yehudah Camper (1978-80) and has served on the Tel Yehudah Board of Directors since 2015. Read more by clicking here.
I remember the moment that I discovered that I could make a difference in the world by growing organic food. I had just finished exploring and connecting with the people of Israel during Year Course. Surging with a renewed...

Eli Saper is a former CYJ Midwest (2001-2003) and Tel Yehudah (2004-2005) camper and attended Machon (2006) and Year Course (2007-2008). Read the article here.
For me, Young Judaea is about Jewish continuity, which means immersive Jewish experiences that resonate with children, teenagers, and young...

In a recent Hadassah newsletter, Elaine Silver, Hadassah Great Plains President and camp alum, mentioned Camp Young Judaea Midwest's RoundUp program. Read the note at the top of the newsletter by clicking here here.