2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

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301-299-7087 Congregation Har Shalom’s Youth Department has been fostering the development of Jewish Identity in children and teenagers for many years. Our program includes five youth groups that focus on informal Jewish education and creating relationships between young Jewish peers. Each of our youth groups focuses on a different aspect of Judaic inclusion beginning with creating comfort in the physical synagogue environment to creating a spiritual connection between the youth and Judaism. During the early years of involvement, we focus on creating fun and educational programs in our synagogue facilities. By inviting our youngsters to participate in fun activities on site we hope to establish a sense of comfort in the physical space of Har Shalom. As the children get older, we infuse more Jewish education and reinforce their cultural and holiday learning done in their formal classrooms. During the later years of involvement (Kadima and USY) our teens become the advocates and governing bodies of their youth groups. The teens plan activities focusing on Social Action, Tikun Olam, and creating social relationships among their peers. Our teens participate in and lead regular Shabbat services and activities. Our teens become the driving force behind the success of our youth groups because their passion for Judaism translates into amazing programs and gatherings. Our Youth Department has increased the interest in all youth groups through exciting events and activities, fostering continued involvement among our youth. We continue to reach out to our local community by participating in a plethora of Social Action projects throughout the year. Our teens also strive to raise funds for a number of organizations through their Tikun Olam fundraising programs. The passion and commitment to Judaism and Jewish values is initiated in the early years of involvement in hopes that it will continue to go throughout their academic years and many years following. Ultimately, it is the involvement of our youth that creates the vibrant and energetic nature of our congregation. SILVER TEMPLE EMANUEL Over 900 Newton, MA Submitted by Carol Schauer 617-558-8121 Three years ago, Temple Emanuel took bold steps to integrate our formal and informal youth education initiatives. Prior to that time, the two areas functioned as separate silos. The reorganization allowed the creation of the “Harry Kraft Director of Informal Youth Education” reporting to the Educational Director. This new model engaged the Director in religious school life (“where the kids are”) through community service programming. In addition, this allowed the youth to become aware of and engaged in informal activities in the temple including youth services with Shabbat dinners, temple retreats, USY and grade level activities, community organizing for teens, and B’nai Mitzvah projects. This organizational change was brought about through careful planning by the youth director, youth committee, religious school committee, educational and professional staff, and the temple professional and lay leadership. The integration of the formal and informal youth education has resulted in exponential growth in the department. Over 350 youth are engaged in various programs or activities within the shul. More youth are participating in not only our traditional youth groups but they also have become part of the community. A 5 th grader might be enjoying the games in our Solomon Youth Lounge after religious school. Many 7th graders help operate booths at the Purim carnival and numerous teens play on our USY basketball team. Our youth are involved, they are in the building, and many feel a connection with the shul that is warm, meaningful and real. The blending of the formal and informal education silos continues to provide our youth with many opportunities to feel connected to Temple Emanuel and being Jewish. With the support of the leadership of the synagogue and its excellent youth committee, the Harry Kraft Youth Department is poised to continue its fine work towards the important goal of keeping our children connected to Judaism through informal youth education. 14. Summer programs have been attended by Anna Penchansky in 2006, as she went on Wheels. She is also going on Summer in the City in 2007. Daniel Meltzer is attending the Wheels East program in 2007. Unfortunately we have not had any participants in Hanegev’s encampment over the past 2 years. 15. Scholarship is offered to those families who require financial help to send their children to a convention and summer program. There is a scholarship line written into the youth budget for each year. In 2006-2007, we are budgeted for $1500. We have given out $1250 for USYers to attend International Convention in Boston, as
well as Sub-regional Spring Convention, and Regional Convention. In 2005-2006, we were budgeted for $1000 and spent all of it. 16. Our Youth Commission is led by Helene Papilsky and Debbie Zané. They serve as the chairs of the committee. There are 6 members on the committee. They range from having children in the youth groups to being a past president of the synagogue to the current auxiliary’s vice president. The Youth Director also serves on the committee. The Kadima and USY Presidents also attend the meetings when asked for a report. The Youth Commission meets once every 6-8 weeks. An agenda is written up with bullet points to be discussed. SILVER SHAARE ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE 250-500 St. Louis, MO Submitted by Sarah Robinson 314-727-1747 The Kadima evening was themed “Our First Shabbaton,” and all of the programming was built around it. We led a kidfriendly Kabbalat Shabbat service with stories, games, and songs and then followed it by a Shabbat dinner (complete with french fries and chicken nuggets). We sang Shabbat songs and taught each other our favorites from camp. After dinner we played a trivia game about Israel (with candy as prizes) and did a Shabbat-appropriate art project/social action project where we used foam stickers to make cards for the residents of a local retirement home. To end the evening, we ate non-dairy ice cream sundaes and had a discussion where we compared and contrasted three fictional Jews and their versions of observance and discussed the idea of what makes a good Jew. In the morning, after kimah and breakfast, we talked about our favorite USY moments. After breakfast we led a Shabbat morning service (again kid-friendly) and acted out the Parsha instead of reading Torah. Our Vice President Religion/Education planned and led a Lunch ‘n Learn after services about the idea of becoming an adult and taking responsibility. After nap time (free time) we had a snack of graham crackers and pudding and then created our own Havdalah service. We ended the program with a friendship circle. HONORABLE MENTION ADATH JESHURUN SYNAGOGUE 500-900 Elkins Park, PA Submitted by Ami Monson 215-635-6611 AJ USY Chanukah Celebration With Gam Yachad - Organization For Mentally Handicapped Adults On Sunday December 17,2006, from 1:00 P.M. — 4:00P.M. the Adath Jeshurun United Synagogue Youth Group hosted a wonderful and vibrant Chanukah celebration with Mentally handicapped Adults through a local Philadelphia organization called GAM YACHAD. 20 handicapped adults came to our synagogue and celebrated the holiday with 10-15 of our USYers. The program included painting Menorot, singing and dancing, and a wonderful Latka lunch with lots of other goodies. In observing the USYers with the Gam Yachad Adults and staff, it was beautiful to see the patience, creativity, and the amount of enthusiasm our teenagers showed with the adults who have special needs. In one short program, our USYers succeeded in making the Mentally Handicapped Adults the owners of their own individual accomplishments, while being part of a team. Our AJ USYers were a ubiquitous presence, working to make sure the program came together in a fun and caring manner. They mastered the difficult task of being mature adults with those who have real needs to which they are not accustomed. The best part of the program besides everyone dancing and singing together was the fact that our USYers were able to be trusted and be principled without being judgmental. The theme and emphasis of the year for our USYers has been Social Action and Tikkun Olam. This program took that theme to a whole other level. For 3 short hours our USYers put away their cell phones, laptops, and I-Pods and went back to the grassroots education they have been taught in the synagogue about true Derech Eretz Kadma Letorah. The correct way of treating and helping others. According to Ann Rappaport, the Gam Yachad Coordinator, “It’s hard to believe that one roof and four walls could
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THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIV
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THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIV
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Temple Beth El Allentown, PA Gold 2
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KADIMA USY North Suburban Synagogue
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The Emanuel Synagogue West Hartford
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2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

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