Sep 29, 2024
In 2022, I joined the Young Judaea Family, going on the Segel Trip and creating everlasting memories and longtime friends- whom I still talk to daily. Since then, YJ has influenced my life, from the friends I’ve made to the traditions I’ve partaken in, Shabbat Service/Parsha Players, and even Rikkud. This year, I had the privilege to join a year-round teen committee (Mazkirut) dedicated to keeping YJ active throughout the year. I was fortunate to meet the teen leaders of Young Judaea at the “Mazkirut Leadership Training.” Seeing National, Northeast, LA/West, Atlanta/Southeast, and Midwest joined together embodied the YJ Pillars of Zionism, Social Action, Pluralism, Peer Leadership, and Jewish Identity- signifying the strengthening of Judaism within our communities.
Throughout my time with the 25 other teens, we deep-dived into Young Judaea’s History, reflected on our goals for the future of YJ, planned peulahs (activities,) and explored how we as Young Judeans can continue to learn and lead to the best of our abilities. It was incredible to reflect on the Chukah (YJ’s governing by-laws) and the empowering mission of providing active support and empowering our youth. The training opportunity was very beneficial, seeing it didn’t just bring YJ teens together through traditions and Shira (songs) but also served as a place of unity. I felt comfortable talking about my feelings as a Jewish Individual in a world where antisemitism was and still is prevalent. Talking to like-minded Jewish teens strengthened my values and courage to express my Jewish Identity and continue to take action.
I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity. I do not doubt we will accomplish extraordinary things in the coming years. YJ isn’t just a movement but a family- standing tall, united through Zionism and pluralistic values, making Young Judaea what it is today. Am Yisrael Chai!
The past weekend I spent time at the YJ teen Mazkirut training program in New york. The minute we got there Friday, we settled in by bringing in shabbat YJ style! learning how different camps recited prayers and chants. The next day we began with how to talk about Israel and bring it into programming. With such a diverse group of teens from all over the US, we were able to have educated discussions on our outlooks of Israel and how we can use that to express our jewish identity and exert it in programming that would both keep teens engaged while also educating. We then had two separate working cycles of leadership including soft skills and basics of how to be a leader and the values it establishes. The next morning was spent on our final topic, the national initiative antisemitism. Every year at Camp Tel Yehudah the Hadracha year gets split up into tikkun groups focused on different issues in the us. At the end of the block each group will share what they have learned about their issue and why it should be the national initiative . The national initiative is what YJ will focus on and strive to educate teens on for the year. The topic antisemitism is so important to me because I was part of the antisemitism tikkun group this summer.
Throughout the weekend we were also tasked with creating a “My why”. This meant why you want to be a teen leader, why you like YJ, why you went to camp, etc. This wasn’t a hard question for me but it was interesting to see how others responded to the question and their output on YJ. Most of them ended up being about the community. How strong it is, how much you can connect with those around you, and how it makes you feel to know you have a home and a group of people feeling just how you do. I’m so grateful to YJ for this amazing opportunity to make friends, educate myself on Israel and also get skills to lead the community. I can’t wait to share what I have learned with the Texas teens!