What a Year for YJ Teens! | | |
This year, YJ Teens reached new heights. In the fall, teen leaders gathered at Tel Yehudah for Mazkirut Leadership Training, we launched and revitalized local clubs across the country, our National and Regional Conventions reached their highest participation in years, and YJ Teens led a Young Judaea delegation proudly marching in the Israel Day Parade.
Most importantly, hundreds of teens strengthened their Jewish identities, found community, developed leadership skills, and built lifelong friendships through YJ. We are incredibly proud of all that this movement has accomplished and can't wait to see what's next!
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This year, we saw an exciting expansion of new clubs and more events—more gatherings in more places, reaching even more teens across the country! From Michigan and Philadelphia to Atlanta, Puerto Rico, the DMV, and beyond.
Thank you to our Regional Teen Leaders (Mazkiruyot and Va'adot) for bringing energy, creativity, and dedication to growing your chapters and creating incredible experiences for teens across the country. We have so much in store for this coming year!
| | Convention Season Highlights | | |
There's nothing like the energy and ruach of a YJ Teens convention! This year, YJ Teens hosted four spirited convention weekends across the country.
In January, National Convention welcomed the largest gathering of teens in more than a decade! The weekend featured an inspiring Shabbat experience, meaningful peulot, and engaging speakers who explored Israel, Jewish identity, and the challenges of antisemitism today.
Spring brought three exciting regional conventions across the country, with convention registrations growing by more than 30% on average!
Midwest Convention, Northeast Convention, and the second annual Sweet (Southeast, West, Texas) Convention brought together teens from across the country for weekends of friendship, leadership, and Jewish pride.
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National Convention - January 15-18 2027
Midwest Convention - March 4-7 2027
Northeast Convention - March 18-21 2027
Sweet (Southeast, West, Texas) Convention - April 9-11 2027
*Locations coming soon!
See Photos from this year's Conventions!
| | Closing Thoughts from Our National Mazkirut! | | A big thank you to our outgoing National Mazkirut- Natalie Pittman, Yael Friedman, Jesse Flumen, Ruth Glaser, and Addie Slater for all of your hard work and leadership! Hear their highlights of the year. | | |
Mazkirut Leadership Training (MLT)
In September, teens from across the country came together at Camp Tel Yehudah for Mazkirut Leadership Training Weekend!
The teens took part in hands-on leadership workshops and activities that pushed them to grow as leaders and strengthen their roles in YJ!
See Photos
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Shabbat Across YJ
In April, we held our first YJ Teens Nationwide Shabbat with 21 dinners held in 11 states including Puerto Rico, (and Australia!) all using the same Shabbat Shiron written by our National Mazkirut!
See More
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Israel Day Parade
In May, YJ Teens joined over 50,000 people on Fifth Avenue in a powerful display of pride, unity, and love of Israel at the Israel Day Parade in NYC! This year, YJ Teens organized the parade efforts for ALL of Young Judaea. This was the first year marching as an independent group with our own shirt and banner designed by YJ Teens!
See Photos
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Alt-Neu
In May, we revived a beloved Young Judaea tradition: Alt-Neu ("Old-New"), a leadership weekend that brings together outgoing and incoming National Mazkirut members for reflection, mentorship, and the symbolic passing of the torch.
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| Rep your swag all summer at camps and spread the word about YJ Teens, and don't forget to tag @yjteens! | |
Whether you are continuing your YJ Journey by soaking up the summer at a Camp Tel Yehudah, our regional YJ Camps, exploring Israel on Gesher, or adventuring elsewhere, we’re wishing all our YJ Teens an amazing summer!
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