Baruch Dayan HaEmet

View our full statement from current USY teens on our Instagram account here.

D'var Torah from Ophir

Hello everyone, in this past week's parsha, Vayeitzei, Jacob’s journey begins with uncertainty. He is fleeing from his brother Esau, leaving behind his family and homeland, and heading into the unknown. At this vulnerable moment, he stops to rest and has a profound dream of a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. In this dream, God speaks to him and says:

"Behold, I am with you, and I will guard you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land, for I will not forsake you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15)

This promise is remarkable not only for its reassurance but for what it teaches us about trust.

President: Lily Davis from Woodland Hills, CA

Communications: Alexa Johnson from La Crescenta, CA

Education: Leah Green from Tustin, CA

Education: JP Jacobsohn from Thousand Oaks, CA

Israel Affairs: Miriam Gunsburg from Merrick, NY

Israel Affairs: Andrew Specter from Orlando, FL

Outreach: Adam Markus from San Diego, CA

Outreach: Maia Konowitz from Staten Island, NY

Outreach: Shayna Kamm from Buffalo Grove, IL

Jewish Life: River Schaffer from Woodland Hills, CA

Jewish Life: Yakir Filhart from East Brunswick, NJ

Social Action/Tikkun Olam: David Pickard from Highland Park, IL

Social Action/Tikkun Olam: Sarah Korczynski from Charlotte, NC

Summer Programs: Lana Hamburger from Plainview, NY

Teen Leaders:

Level Up Your Community Engagement: Build Awesome Partnerships

December 15

Open to Teen Leaders

Hey teens! Are you ready to make a bigger impact in your community? Join us for this interactive webinar where you’ll learn how to team up with the right people and organizations to enhance your chapter activities! We’ll break down the steps to finding and connecting with potential partners, and share tips on co-hosting events that everyone will love. You’ll also pick up strategies for setting clear boundaries so everyone stays on the same page. Whether you want to boost your USY chapter's activities or organize unforgettable community events, this session will give you the skills you need to succeed through collaboration. Don’t miss out—let’s get started on building something amazing together!

Teen Photographers:

Jewish Youth For Unity Project and Contest

Deadline: December 15

Grades 8-12

Enter the Jewish Youth for Unity Photojournalism Project and Contest!

This project invites teens in 8th-12th grades to share their perspective, through photography, on the Jewish values of kindness, spreading joy, and giving. To enter the contest, teens submit an original photo, plus a short description (up to 100 words) about how their photo reflects these values.

Learn More Here

USY's Week of Giving

Attention Regional SATOs and others interested in participating,

USY's Week of Giving will be February 2nd-8th. For next steps I would like all of you to read the one pager about this program.

Below are all the materials you need to successfully promote the Week of Giving.

TO DO: Please

Read this One Pager about the Week of Giving

Send the date out to your regions and all the chapters in your region

Ask the Chapters if they want to be involved in the Week of Giving

Keep track of chapter responses and send them to me with the contact info

Week of Giving Google Drive

Join a USY Fellowship!

Participants are eligible for up to $750 in grants to immersive experiences in 2025

Exciting news from USY! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of three dynamic online educational fellowships for teens passionate about deepening their Jewish knowledge, leadership skills, and connection to Israel.

Who can apply? Jewish teens in grades 9-12. We especially encourage applicants from small to mid-sized Jewish communities, but all eligible teens are welcome! *For the Heschel Fellowship any Jewish teenager in grades 9-12 not currently enrolled in a Jewish day school may apply.

USY Heschel Fellowship*: Dive into a profound, immersive Jewish learning journey! This fellowship, led by JTS rabbinic intern Bennett Decker and guest faculty, is perfect for teens eager to expand their Jewish knowledge in a truly meaningful way.

Learn More

USY Leadership Fellowship: Become a leader with impact! This fellowship, guided by Rabbi Ilan Schwartz, USY’s Director of Leadership Development, brings teens face-to-face with inspiring Jewish leaders, many of whom are USY alumni, for hands-on learning and mentorship. Discover the skills to shape and strengthen your USY chapter!

Learn More

USY Israel/Zionism Fellowship: Ready to explore Israel like never before? This multidimensional program, led by Dr. Benji Davis, empowers teens to engage with Israel as an idea, a value, and a modern nation-state. Fellows will tackle complex questions and be prepared to lead essential discussions on Israel within their communities. Registration coming soon!

Our Northeast Convention was a Blast!

The weekend of November 15, more than 140 USYers (8th - 12th grade) and staff came together for an Out of This World convention at Ramah Palmer. The educational theme focused on Tzedakah, Social Action, and Social Justice, helping the USYers understand the importance of Tikun Olam. The schedule was jam-packed with incredible programs such as Boundary Breakers, Creative Minyanim, a hypnotist, smores, Israeli dancing, scavenger hunts, and more!

Before closing the weekend, our teens heard from representatives from Dignity Grows, an organization that focuses on Period Poverty. USYers participated in an activity working in different groups, given a certain financial situation for a family, and built a weekly shopping list on InstaCart or other grocery sites, to try and meet the family's needs with the funds available. It was an incredible experience that helped the USYers gain a sense of perspective on the difficulties that come along with poverty.

Here is what the teens had to say about the weekend:

"As someone who goes to Jewish sleep away camp, I spend the entire year trying to find that magic of a young Jewish community elsewhere, and USY has done exactly that. The experience this past weekend was truly Out of This World, and one that I will always remember. I made so many new friends, reconnected with old ones, and had a sense of belonging which is extremely difficult with the current rise of anti-semitism. I would definitely recommend USY to any eligible Jewish teen."

"I had a really great time I was genuinely happy and made new friends! Thank you for this experience. I’m definitely going to more conventions!"