Young Judaea is built on a framework that emphasizes three core facets: peer leadership, political non-partisanship, and religious pluralism. Within this framework, our programs and activities focus on instilling our members with three core values: Judaism, Zionism, and Jewish identity.

Our Framework

• Peer Leadership. Young Judaea encourages and empowers its members to take on leadership roles as members of a peer-elected mazkirut (board). National and regional mazkirut members work closely with Young Judaea’s professional staff to plan, organize, and implement programs and policies for their peers. This approach has a profound impact on the leaders, who are challenged to engage their peers on a range of social, political, and Zionist issues, and their peers, who are inspired to take action and grow as leaders themselves.
• Non-Partisanship. Because it is not aligned with any political party, Young Judaea strives to provide its members with the ability and opportunity to make educated choices for themselves.
• Pluralism. Young Judaea welcomes and encourages the participation of any affiliated-Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist-as well as unaffiliated Jewish youth. As a pluralistic movement, Young Judaea’s programs are designed to appeal to all levels of religious observance, with a common commitment to respecting the laws of Kashrut, Shabbat, and other Jewish holidays. In all of its programs, Young Judaea promotes mutual respect and understanding between the diverse groups of American Jews.

Our Values

• Judaism. In all that we do, Young Judaea strives to impart a sense of value and love for Jewish tradition and rituals for any and every religious background.
• Jewish Identity. By educating about Jewish heritage, history, and current affairs, Young Judaea seeks to instill a sense of pride in the Jewish people and in being Jewish.
• Zionism. Believing that Israel is central to all Jewish life, Young Judaea’s primary goal is to emphasize Jewish and Zionist education, build connections with Israel, and promote Aliyah (immigration to Israel). Through educational activities, meeting with Israelis, and spending time in Israel, Young Judaeans have a unique opportunity to form an intimate and lifelong relationship with Israel.

Yehudah Hatzair (Young Judaea) Leumi Chukah

Vision:
We, the members of Yehudah Hatzair, a politically non-partisan, religiously pluralistic, peer-led, Zionist youth movement*, envision a strong, vibrant, and secure Medinat Yisrael. We strive to unite Am Yisrael physically, culturally, and spiritually by strengthening it through aliyah, an ideal for which we strive, and the active support of an educated, empowered youth.

* Yehudah Hatzair is a politically non-partisan Zionist Youth Movement, which simply means that we, as a movement, do not affiliate with a specific political party. We, as a movement, however, maintain the right to take a stand on specific political issues, which may be implemented into Yehudah Hatzair programming.

We, the members of Yehudah Hatzair, affirm that the basis for our t’nua is a commitment toward action using the following pillars:

ZIONISM:
Yehudah Hatzair regards the support of and the education about Medinat Yisrael as its goals. Programs concerning Israeli current events and stressing the importance of Medinat Yisrael as a national homeland for the Jewish people are implemented in the movement. Yehudah Hatzair recognizes Medinat Yisrael as a central part of Jewish life. We encourage both visiting Israel and making Aliyah.

SOCIAL ACTION:
Social action is a part of both our Jewish and Zionist identities. Yehudah Hatzair works to help Jews and others in need, aid Jewish communities both local and worldwide, protect human rights everywhere, actively strengthen Medinat Yisrael, and strive to form a better world. Yehudah Hatzair will take stands on issues that it feels are important based upon the basic principles of the movement.

PLURALISM:
Yehudah Hatzair firmly believes that all chevre t’nua, regardless of religious and political affiliations, can join together in one cohesive community. We accept that differences make our t’nua stronger. No chaver/a t’nua will be forced to surrender any beliefs unless these directly conflict with principles of the t’nua.

PEER LEADERSHIP:
Yehudah Hatzair practices a peer-led democracy as its method of leadership to be used whenever possible.

JEWISH IDENTITY:
As a Jewish youth movement, Yehudah Hatzair stresses the unity of the Jewish people, the individual development through Jewish values, a comprehensive Jewish and Hebrew education, and the preservation of the identity of the Jewish people. We do so through Jewish spiritual, cultural, and educational activities.

Additionally, based on our belief in Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh la Zeh (All of Israel is responsible for one another), we are responsible for creating an environment that is safe, emotionally and physically, for all members of our kehila (community).

Amending The Chukah:
This chukah is meant to be a document which stands the test of time and holds validity for every member of the t’nua. Therefore the following process will be used to change this chukah:

An amendment to this chukah must pass with a 2/3 majority of an Asepha body at two consecutive national conventions in order to officially pass. It will go into effect immediately after the second convention.
If an amendment does not pass, it can be raised again at the following national convention but will still require a 2/3 majority vote at two consecutive conventions.

Click here to Read the Yehudah Hatzair Policy & By-Law Supplement