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Young JudaeaYoung Judaea is the peer-led Zionist youth movement of Hadassah. It runs programs throughout the United States for Jewish youth in grades 3-12. Basics and History Founded in 1909, Young Judaea is the youth movement of Hadassah. Its programs include youth clubs, conventions, camps and Israel programs with an emphasis on social action and Jewish identity. A typical event is 2-3 hours and includes socializing, icebreakers, a peulah (educational or social activity) and sikkum (discussion), and Israel Update. Young Judaea has 16 regions in the United States and is affiliated with the Federation of Zionist Youth (United Kingdom) and Tsofim (Israel). The age levels are Ofarim (Hebrew for deer; grades 3-5), Tsofim ( scouts, grades 6-8), and Bogrim (elders, grades 8-12). Principles All Young Judaea programs are centered around the movements Five Pillars: Zionism, social action, pluralism, peer leadership, and Jewish identity. - Zionism Judaeans believe that Israel is central to Jewish life. Each region has a shaliach (adult ambassador from Israel), and YJ encourages Israel education and travel to Israel.
- Social action Judaeans embrace Jewish values of tikkun olam (healing the world) and try to encorporate social action and awareness into as many events as possible.
- Pluralism People of all Jewish sects and political affiliations are welcome, with the hope that members will have the ability and opportunity to make educated choices about their beliefs.
- Peer leadership With the guidance of advisors, peer-elected mazkirut (board) members plan, organize, and implement all events. All members are encouraged to grow as leaders and influence the direction of the movement.
- Jewish identity The primary aim of all Young Judaea activities is to educate about Jewish heritage, history, and current affairs, and to instill a sense of pride in being Jewish.
Leadership Young Judaea is run by mazkiriyot (boards) of peer leaders on club, regional, and national levels. Each mazkirut has 6-7 members. President The mazkir/a (president) leads meetings, addresses issues, oversees the calendar, and coordinates the efforts of other maz members. AVP The merakez/et irgun vguis chanichim/ot (administrative vice president, or AVP) oversees finances, membership, transportation, and attendance, as well as keeping minutes and records. Bogrim Programmer The merakez/et chinuch lbogrim (Bogrim programmer) writes schedules and peulot (activities), delegates duties to other maz members, encourages participation in summer and Israel programs, and pays attention to logistics such as price, food, and supplies. Ofarim/Tsofim Programmer The mekasher lofarim vtsofim (Ofarim and Tsofim programmer, or OTP) is in charge of Ofarim and Tsofim membership, communicates with the O/T advisors, encourages members to attend summer camps, and may speak to recent Bar and Bat Mitzvahs about becoming Bogrim. Social Action Programmer The merakez/et tikkun olam (social action programmer, or SAP) develops social action events and ensures that tikkun olam values are built into all programs. In addition, some mazkiriyot have a pirsum (communications officer), who creates flyers, web pages, press releases, and newsletters. On other mazkiriyot these duties belong to the mazkir/a. Some regional mazkiryot also have a club coordinator, who is responsible for communication between clubs in that region. It is the responsibility of all mazkirut members to welcome new Judaeans, create a friendly atmosphere, advertise by word of mouth, and be a dugma, or lead by example. Programs Conventions Conventions are central to the Young Judaea experience. Organized by the regional or national mazkirut, they are held in fall and spring; some regions have a social action convention as well. Typical convention programming features educational workshops called sadnaot, prayers, and plenty of chofesh (free time) for socializing. Spring conventions also include an asepha (assembly), where mazkirut are elected and the chukah (constitution) is amended. Summer Camps Like many other youth movements, YJ operates summer camps for its members. Ofarim and Tsofim can attend one of six regional camps. Bogrim attend Camp Tel Yehudah, the National Leadership Camp in Barryville, NY. Programs there include Alumim (Jewish/Israeli history for entering 9th graders), Yachad (social action for entering 10th graders), and Hadracha (leadership for entering 11th graders). All camp sessions are three and a half weeks long. Israel Programs As a Zionist movement, Israel trips are a large part of the YJ experience. Youth entering 12th grade can spend six weeks in Israel through Machon or Israel Discovery. Both programs include a Special Interest Week for example, a desert trek, a stay on a kibbutz or training with the Israeli army and the option of spending an additional week exploring Jewish history in Spain or Prague. Recent high school graduates can also apply to spend 10 months in Israel on the Year Course program. External Links Young Judaea Camp Tel Yehudah
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