National Programs

In addition to local events occurring around the country, Young Judaea is proud to offer comprehensive national events as well.   Our current national events include:

Alternative Summer Break

Click here to Learn About Our Brand New Program

ASB is a unique two-week program for Jewish teens hosted at Camp Tel Yehudah that will take participants out of the everyday surroundings of TY and immerse them in an entirely different environment to engage in intensive, hands-on community service, youth leadership development and experiential Jewish learning that is both enriching and transformative. Campers will learn about community issues, participate in hands-on service projects in the local community and New York City, and leave with a deeper commitment to making the Jewish values of social responsibility (achrayut chevratit), social action (tikun olam), and social justice (tzedek) a part of their every day lives.

Alternative Winter Break

We are proud to announce that for Alternative Winter Break 2011 we will be running TWO locations!  Check them out!

It is not on you to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it." -Pirkei Avot, 2:21, 20

Based on the Jewish values of tzedek (Social Justice) and tikun olam (Social Action), AWB will conduct its program in 2011 in two different communities in the United States: New Orleans and the Navajo Nation.

Young Judaea is committed to continuing the work that is still so greatly needed in New Orleans – helping to rebuild that city and community. After spending AWB 2008 and AWB 2010 in New Orleans, Young Judaea has developed a deep understanding of the work that remains, and with the help of our participating teens, we can truly live Pirkei Avot. We will continue to partner with organizations in New Orleans that we have worked with previously to help solidify our relationship to the community, while additionally, we look for new partner organizations to further develop that relationship.

To grow AWB 2011 domestically, Young Judaea is running a second AWB program concurrently in the Navajo Nation. Through our Mifgash (encounter) with the Native Americans, our teens will learn about American and Native American history, while working on meaningful service projects in the community. Service will vary each day at this site, and range from trash clean-up to volunteering at the local boys and girls club.

AWB plays a significant role in producing Jewish leaders of tomorrow by building a commitment to social action, strengthening Jewish identity and creating friendships that will last a lifetime.

Click Here to Learn More About Our Most Recent AWB in New Orleans, LA

Young Judaea is proud to have run its fourth annual Alternative Winter Break (AWB) for sixty Jewish high school students from across the United States!

AWB takes participants out of their everyday surroundings and immerses them in an entirely differenct environment to engage in intenstive community service and experiential learning that will enrich and transform.

AWB offers community service opportunities for participants focusing on poverty and environmental sustainability.  Each participant works between four and six hours a day and will be credited with a minimum of 25-30 community service hours by the end of the week.  Young Judaea issues a letter at the completion of the trip to substantiate the service hours for high schools, community service organizations, etc.

Jewish service learning is an integral part of AWB.  Participants are given structured time to process experiences, and are provided with opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations.  They are encouraged to think about the root causes of societal problems and view their experiences through the lens of systemic change.  AWB's Jewish service learning uses Jewish sources from traditional text to contemporary writing to frame learning and reflection (taken from www.jewishjustice.org).

This experience provides participants with opportunities to learn about problems faced by members of the communities with whom they may have little to no contact.   By intefrating the service learning element into the program, AWB participants will:

- build community and leadership skills

- explore their Jewish identity

- Leave with a commitment to service that will springboard into lifelong active citizenship

National Midwinter Convention

Click Here to See What Happened at Our Last Midwinter Convention in February

At National Midwinter Conventions, the Young Judaea National Mazkirut and education staff work in conjunction to put together a dynamic program that examines various issues having to do with modern Jewish Identity, Zionism, and activism.   A varitey of interesting, highly interactive and informative activities are held to expolore today's challenges in the topics of activism, pluralism, social justice, and Zionism.

We also use the weekend to continue the experiences Young Judaea offers with sadna'ot (workshops) relevant to participants who are attending Camp Tel Yehudah, Local & National Programs, Alternative Winter Break, Alternative Summer Break, Machon/Summer Programs in Israel, Year Course, or working at Young Judaea summer camps.

As a Jewish community, we celebrate Shabbat together by taking part in communal t'fillah (prayer), shira (singing), Havdallah, and rikkud (dancing).

Additionally, it is at the National Midwinter Convention that Young Judaea elects the next National Mazkirut (national governance board) and amends Young Judaea's Chukah (charter).

J-Serve

Click Here to Learn More About Young Judaea's J-Serve Activities

J-Serve is the National Day of Jewish Service.  Since 2005, J-Serve has been a part of Youth Serve America's Global Youth Serve Day weekend.   J-Serve provides teens with the opportunity to fulfill the Jewish values of Gimilut Chasidim (acts of loving kindness), Tzedakah (charitable giving), and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).  (taken from J-Serve website).

Young Judaea celebrates J-Serve by encouraging our local chapters to get involves with, or plan community service activities in their own communities.

Celebrate Israel Parade

Click Here to Find Out More About the Celebrate Israel Parade

The Celebrate Israel Parade (Formerly the Salute to Israel Parade) is the largest event in the world celebrating the anniversay of Israel's Independence!  Young Judaea has proudly marched in this annual event every year since its founding in 1964.  The parade has tens of thousands of participants, and more than a million spectators, watchin as community leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, floats, community groups, and marching bands all join in celebrating Israel.

In addition to organizing a group to march in the parade, Young Judaea also organizes family activities and Israel related fun before the parade.  We then join the parade and display our Zionist pride!

Israeli Folk Dance Festival

Click Here to Learn About Our Performance in the Israeli Folk Dance Festival or to Get Involved

Young Judaea is proud to be the only dance troupe that has performed in every New York Israeli Folk Dance Festival - for all 60 years!  The annual fesival is put on by the Israeli Dance Institute and is part of their program of activities which "prodive a constant reaffirmation of identification with Israel and with Jewish roots, enhancing ties with Israel."  The IDI was founded in 1990 by Danny Uziel and Ruth Goodman in order to offer guidance to teachers, community leaders, dance troupes, and anyone enthusiastic about Israeli dance.

In addition to having a formal dance troupe, Young Judaea and Young Judaeans have a strong passion for Israeli dance and celebrate that love by dancing at many of our activities.