About USY

What is USY?

USY stand for United Synagogue Youth and is the youth group associated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. In most regions, the organization is open to high school students, but some regions allow eighth graders to join USY as well. USY is divided into three levels: the chapter, the region, and international USY. Your chapter is most likely affiliated with the synagogue you attend and it includes people from your area. Our region, the Far West region, is composed of chapters from all over the Far West, which includes Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Hawaii. The third level is the international level, made up of all the regions from all over the United States and Canada. Across this area, there are seventeen regions. USY is an organization for Jewish teens across the country to meet each other, hang out together, and make lifelong friendships.

Some USY History

It is 1948 and the state of Israel has been established. The American Jewish community, however, was not in a healthy condition. What Jewish youth organizations existed in the United States were both very secular in nature or Zionist-oriented and entirely dependent on the existence and future of Israel for the continuation of Jewish identity.

One hundred and fifty young people from Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, St. Paul, and Minneapolis meet in the Temple of Aaron in St Paul, Minnesota in April to discuss "The Synagogue and the Teenager". At the end of their sessions, they vote to form a permanent Midwest Region Youth Conference and to hold semi-annual meetings.

The Youth Commission unanimously agrees that the teenage groups come under the general supervision of the Youth Commission. Teenage groups should include boys and girls of high school level, 13 to 17 years inclusive … The Youth Commission shall concern itself with non-scholastic group work for teenagers.

When these words appeared in the Youth Commission's Report, given on March 19, 1951, United Synagogue Youth was born. The Charter meeting of the new Youth group was held in December of that same year. High school aged delegates met at sites at both Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Delegates from Synagogues and other youth groups across the country attended the United Synagogue Convention. It totaled over 500 people, representing 65 different communities in 14 different states and Canada attended the first official meeting of USYers. At that convention, under the leadership of the newly elected National President, high schooler Paul Freedman, the two basic documents of the organization, Aims and Objectives and the USY Constitution were adopted.

The organization has changed over the years. In late 1951, three more regions were added to USY, making a total of 17 regions. In 1956, the Two-o-Nine tzedakah (Charity) project began. It was revamped in 1971, becoming Tikun Olam, the social action/charity project that all contemporary USYers recognize. That same summer twelve USYers went on the first organization sponsored trip to Israel. Known as the USY Israel Summer Pilgrimage, it became the first of the USY summer programs. Two years later, in 1958 Pilgrimage enrolment was up to about 100. In 1961, USY further expanded its summer programs when two staff members took fort USYers on their "Schlep and Pray Across the USA" on the first USY on Wheels trip. In 1969, the Youth Commission increased its informal educational scope in creating Kadima, the youth group geared towards middle school and junior high students. The summer programs have greatly expanded over the years.

Today there are seven Wheels Buses, including USY on Wheels Mission: Mitzvah, a special bus whose members engage in the regular Wheels sightseeing and work on intense social action projects in various communities throughout North America. The Pilgrimage program, now offers eight different programs, sending USYers across the globe. Pilgrimage groups still go to Israel, but they also visit Spain, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Today's USY is far larger and even more successful. Fifty-two Conventions later, USY, now an international organization in its own right has ties to NOAM, the Masorti youth group in both Britain and Israel. USYers can now spend part of their High School Careers at USY High, in Israel. The NATIV Israel Leadership training program also provides an educational year in Israel between high school and college for USY graduates.

Clubs and Other Stuff

International USY, as well as regional USY, has a bunch of other ways for you to get involved. So, just in case you thought going to events wasn't enough, there are a few other ways for you to get involved.

Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society

Heschel is a club designed for those members of USY who have made a special commitment to Judaism. In order to join this club, members must attend services four times a month; engage in a social action project once a month and take part in at least two hours of Jewish study each week. With membership in this club, you can attend late night study sessions at conventions, a special convention in the spring, you receive a subscription to a special newsletter, and you participate in an induction at International Convention.

HeChalutzim

HeChalutzim is a club designed for USYers who have made a commitment towards Israel. To join, all you need to do is pay $10 and you will be able to attend late night sessions about Israel. In addition, you get to watch exciting videos, talk about Israel, and receive the HeChalutzim newsletter, HeChalutzon!

613 Mitzvot Club

Named for the 613 commandments, this club allows the opportunity to make a donation towards Tikkun Olam (תיקון עולם‎), USY's charity fund. You will receive the Social Action/Tikkun Olam (SATO) newsletter. All this for the simple price of $6.13 per year, or $61.30 for life!

The Regional Newsletter

This is generally distributed at every convention, and it includes articles from other USYers, as well as fun additions. How can you contribute? Contact your regional Communication's Vice President or your Chapter President.

International Programs and Trips

International USY has a plethora of ways in which you, the USY member, can enjoy the company of other USYers from around the States, Canada, and Israel! To view more programs visit the Programs Page