2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

HONORABLE MENTION
BET TORAH
250-500 Mt. Kisco, NY
Submitted by Rebecca Gordon 914-666-7595
The Bet Torah USY and Kadima youth have a tremendous energy, good will, and Jewish spirit that is contagious. Their
presence and involvement in so many activities at Bet Torah greatly enhances congregational life.
Year to year our USY and Kadima chapters grow and improve:
• Bet Torah boasts a 75% post-b’nai mitzvah retention rate: USY is a big part of why
• The USY membership has increased 26% versus last year
• Kadima members (who paid their own dues) increased 36% versus last year
• Event participation for 2006-2007 is impressive. There has been constant activity in and around Bet
Torah since our teens left for Encampment this past August. To date, USYers have enjoyed 39 events
and Kadimanicks have participated in 18 events
• The USY and Kadima spirit of Tikun Olam (TO) sours. To date, USY has donated $1,500 to TO and
they have led/helped lead many programs (often with help from the Kadimanicks). For example, they
helped run two carnivals for the mentally and physically challenged, they ran our Purim Carnival,
they sold Israeli products at events, participated in a panel discussion on how to save the environment
and spent an afternoon cleaning the shoreline of the Hudson River
• The Jewish spirit and ruach of our teens is tremendous. Our post bar/bat mitzvah USYers and
Kadimanicks have led Havdallah at High Holidays, at Youth Shabbat and at local Jewish Youth
events. They chanted all of the Torah portions during the High Holiday services and have led
benching and Israeli songs at luncheons and Friday night synagogue dinners. Several of our USY
teens even teach a tefilah class in our Hebrew School. USYers and Kadimanicks are always present at
Youth and Shabbat services and can be found at Bet Torah whenever events are taking place.
Our USY and Kadima members exemplify the best in Jewish youth and no doubt will one day, sooner rather
than later, become the adults who make a difference in the Jewish community and our world. In our minds, they are
winners and deserve this award.
HONORABLE MENTION
TEMPLE BETH DAVID
250-500 Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Submitted by Scott London 561-694-2350
4. There is 1 Kadima and 1 USY chapter at Temple Beth David. In Kadima, there are 31 members, 15 are active.
In USY, there are 22 members, 14 are active. Membership for Kadima over the past 2 years is 32 in 2004-05;
27 in 2005-06; and 31 in 2006-07. Membership for USY over the past 2 years is 16 in 2004-05; 18 in 2005-06;
and 22 in 2006-07.
5. The youth department does have a Youth Director, Scott London, who is the only professional leader. He
serves as the advisor for USY, Kadima, and Chalutzim (3 rd - 5 th ). He is a member of JYDA and the current
Secretary for JYDA. He has attended the last 4 International Conventions, as well as all Regional Conventions
over the same time period. He is in his first year at TBD, originally working in the Hagesher Region.
6. There are 2-3 Kadima events depending on the sub-regional calendar as well. Kadima meets regularly on
Tuesdays, with an occasional Saturday night event. There are 3-4 USY events, also depending on the subregional
calendar. USY meets regularly on Thursday nights.
7. On Yom Hashoah, the USY group views “Paper Clips” movie, and this year, we will be having a speaker, a
Holocaust survivor, speak to the group as well. The teens also helped the Men’s Club pack the Yom Hashoah
candles. Around Hanukkah time, the USY group makes latkes and sings songs in honor of the holiday. We also
eat gelt and spin dreidel. The USYers had an event where the cost to attend was $6.13. Each person that
attended became a member of 613 mitzvah club. Also, during Sukkot, the USYers fulfill the mitzvah of eating
in the Sukkah. We listened to music and ate. USYers will have the chance to eat Israeli food, as they will make
tomato and cucumber salad, eat falafel, and bissli chips.