YOUNG JUDAEA IMPACT REPORT

2025-2026

EMPOWERING JEWISH YOUTH FOR OVER 117 YEARS.

Young Judaea is a diverse community that educates and empowers Jewish youth to deeply engage with Israel and to lead positive change for the Jewish People, Israel, and the World.

YOUNG JUDAEA IS MEETING THE MOMENT

3000 YOUNG PEOPLE

Creating joyful Jewish community, building personal relationships with Israel, and cultivating the next generation of pluralist Zionist leaders.

400 TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS IN ISRAEL

Strengthening personal relationships with Israel through immersive travel, learning, volunteering, and one-to-one connections with Israeli peers.

150 YEAR COURSE PARTICIPANTS

Spending a year living, learning, volunteering, and strengthening Israeli society.

123 GESHER TEENS

Participating in Young Judaea’s milestone 75th year of teen summer programs in Israel.

2800 CAMPERS ACROSS 7 YJ CAMPS

Creating joyful Jewish community in nature and in person.

200 ISRAELI CAMPERS AT YJ CAMPS

Bringing Israeli and North American youth together through meaningful mifgashim, breaking down barriers and building lasting friendships across communities.

CULTIVATING PEER LEADERSHIP

600% Growth in YJ Club Participation

350 teens engaged in peer-led programming and communities across the country.

80 Teen Leaders

Stepping up to lead local Va’adot and Regional and national Mazkiruyot and shape the future of the movement.

30% Average Growth in Convention Enrollment

More teens coming together to build community, explore their Jewish identities, engage in nuanced conversations, and practice leadership.

LETTER FROM THE CEO AND BOARD PRESIDENT

The 2025-26 year was a year of tremendous growth for Young Judaea. We engaged over 3,200 children, teens, and young adults in our camps, year-round programs, and Israel travel programs—even with the continued unrest in Israel and the rise of anti-Zionism around the world.

Young Judaea experiences are amplifying Jewish joy, deepening personal connections with Israel, and instilling peer leadership skills that will last a lifetime. Our alumni continue to make a difference—guided by our enduring call to action, Ani V’ata Neshane et Haolam, they continue to lead with courage, compassion, and commitment to repairing the world.

We are particularly proud to have operated continuously throughout the Iran war, all the while maintaining the safety of our participants and delivering a life-changing program. We applaud the 150 Year Coursers, 125 Gesher participants, and their parents, who showed remarkable dedication by choosing to travel to Israel this year.

As the world grows increasingly polarized, Young Judaea remains a home for pluralism and diverse perspectives, empowering youth to engage in meaningful conversations while embracing their Jewish and Zionist identities with confidence. Marking our 117th year, we remain the oldest Zionist pluralist youth movement in the United States.

This year, YJ Teens clubs saw remarkable growth, with 30% more teens engaging in dynamic regional and national conventions and teens around the country taking on manhigut leadership roles. More teens than ever also served as CITs and MITs at our camps or spent the summer at Tel Yehudah or in Israel. Looking ahead, we are ready to bring YJ Teens to even more communities, powered by increased philanthropic investment and the strength of our expanding national YJ Teens team.

As a cornerstone of our Israel education, Young Judaea camps invited 200 Israeli campers to strengthen peer to peer connections between North American and Israeli youth. And through our historic partnership with Tzofim Garin Atid, Israelis participated in Year Course alongside our North American chanichim.

Whether you’re a second or third-generation Judaean, started in Ofarim at camp, only went on Year Course, or are a grandparent giving the gift of YJ camp to your grandchildren, you are on your YJ journey and forever a part of Young Judaea!

We invite you to stay connected by subscribing to our emails and following us on social media.

Adina Hocsman Frydman
CEO, Young Judaea Global

Wylie Levone
President, Young Judaea Global

"As National Mazkira, watching 130 teens come together at National Convention filled me with immense pride. Planning this weekend alongside the National Mazkirut was a labor of love, and standing in front of that room gave me so much hope for our future. Through YJ, I’ve become more educated, more connected to my Judaism, stronger in my support for Israel, closer to my community, and more confident as a leader. Seeing these same qualities reflected in so many teens reminded me why this movement matters so much." -Natalie Pittman, National Mazkira 2025-2026

01 Year Course: YJ Israel

Year Course participants experienced an extraordinary year in Israel, sharing in moments of history, challenge, celebration, and everyday life. They stood alongside Israelis in Hostages Square and celebrated together when the last hostage was released. Several participants also took part in the World Zionist Congress, held once every five years, speaking on panels and contributing their voices to conversations about Israel’s future.

Living Israel
Through hikes, road trips, Ulpan, holidays, and encounters with Israel’s diverse communities, participants explored the country and gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of Israeli society.

Finding Their Path & Giving Back
Year Coursers pursued experiences ranging from internships in fitness studios and bakeries to Magen David Adom and Marva. They volunteered on kibbutzim, hosted a BBQ for 500 soldiers, supported organizations including Save a Child’s Heart, and broadened their perspectives through travel to Poland, Thailand, and Rwanda.

Together Through Challenge
When the Israel-Iran war began in February, Year Course temporarily relocated to Kibbutz Ketura, where participants continued learning and volunteering. Being in Israel during this challenging period gave participants a powerful understanding of what it means to be part of Israeli society, experiencing its resilience and sense of community firsthand.

This year, Year Course received the Masa Organizer Excellence Award, recognizing the team’s commitment to creating an exceptional and transformative experience!

02 Gesher: YJ Israel

Young Judaea’s signature teen summer program in Israel, Gesher, brought 123 North Americans and 13 Israeli teens together for a summer of adventure, connection and meaningful engagement with Israeli life. Participants experienced Israel from every angle, from exploring Yafo and watching the sunrise atop Masada to rappelling, snorkeling in Eilat, rolling down sand dunes and celebrating Shabbat at Kibbutz Ketura.

Giving back was an important part of the journey. Teens volunteered at an employment center for individuals with disabilities, revitalized a youth center for teens at risk, connected with elderly residents, and prepared meals at a Tel Aviv soup kitchen. They also joined thousands of Jewish teens from around the world at RootOne’s Big Tent event, a powerful celebration of Jewish community and connection. Through these shared experiences, Gesher participants built lasting friendships and a deeper, more personal connection to Israel and the global Jewish community.

03 Teens Leading The Way: YJ Teens

This year, 350 teens participated in YJ Teens programs, including 79 teens who were new to Young Judaea. Teens came together throughout the year at four major conventions: National Convention and regional conventions in the Northeast, Midwest, and Sweet Convention (Southwest/West/Texas), building community, strengthening their connection to YJ, and stepping into meaningful leadership roles.

Teen-led experiences reached far beyond conventions. Teens hosted 21 Nationwide Shabbat Dinners across 11 states, Puerto Rico, and Australia, led Young Judaea’s Israel Day Parade delegation as an independent group for the first time, and brought back Alt-Neu Weekend, creating a space to pass the torch from one generation of teen leadership to the next.

With 54 national and regional teen leaders and growing participation across the movement, YJ Teens continues to give young people the opportunity to shape the community they want to be part of.

04 Summer Recap: YJ Camps

This summer, more than 2,800 campers across seven Young Judaea camps experienced the friendships, Jewish connection, Israel engagement, and traditions that make YJ summers so special. Before the summer, YJ camp leaders traveled to Israel for a week of learning, volunteering, and strengthening their connection to the country.

At camp, more than 200 Israeli campers joined our communities, creating meaningful mifgashim and lasting connections with their North American peers.

The summer also celebrated YJ’s lasting impact across generations, with CYJ Sprout Lake marking its 50th anniversary and Camp Judaea its 65th. And of course, the summer was filled with classic YJ shira, rikud, maccabia, and plenty of fun!

Israeli Camper Project

This summer, 200 Israeli campers joined five Young Judaea overnight camps, living alongside their American peers and becoming fully integrated into everyday camp life. Through shared bunks, meals, rikud, shira and everyday moments, campers built friendships that transformed Israel-Diaspora connection from an idea into something personal.

Young Judaea’s Israeli Camper Project creates meaningful mifgashim by giving Israeli and North American Jewish youth the chance to simply grow up together at camp.

With support from Mosaic United, Legacy Heritage Fund, Campers2Gether and Seed the Dream Foundation, this summer marked the initiative’s largest expansion yet—and an important step toward a future with Israeli campers in every bunk, returning year after year and building relationships that last far beyond the summer.

“Thank you so much for making this happen for our kids after yet again a year of endless war. Your hard work makes it possible for our kids to have an amazing summer, away from rockets and sirens.”
— Israeli camper family, CYJ Texas

Alumni Spotlight: Manny Synalovski

Manny’s YJ History:
YJ Puerto Rico Club 1973-1976, Camp Judaea Staff 1974-1976, Tel Yehudah Camper 1973-1975, Regional Mazkir 1975-1976, Year Course 1976-1977, YJ Madrich 1977-1985, Young Judaea Global Board 2012-Present

Tell us about your history and involvement with Young Judaea

I attended TY the summer of 1973. That October, during the Yom Kippur War, our YJ Club in PR participated in a Community Rally. That experience prompted an immersive YJ journey that included returns to TY, summers as Staff at CJ, Mazkir of Azor Hadarom, and YC in 1976. During College, I was a member of Hamagshimim and was a Madrich for various Bogrim Clubs in the South.

SOUTH FLORIDA REUNION: ALUMNI

In February 2026, 100 Young Judaea alumni spanning generations gathered in South Florida for an unforgettable YJ reunion. Alumni came together to schmooze, hear about the current state of the movement from CEO Adina Frydman, and of course, jump into a lively rikkud session.

Seeing so many Judaean faces from across the decades in one room—sharing stories, memories, and that unmistakable YJ energy was truly something special!

THE ISRAEL ALUMNI NETWORK KICKOFF

In October of 2025 in Tel Aviv, Young Judaea hosted the very first event of the new Young Judaea Israel Alumni Network. It was a heartfelt morning that brought together old friends, sparked new connections, and celebrated the lifelong bonds shaped by YJ!

The program featured special video messages from National Mazkira Nomi Gedzelman and President Isaac Herzog, along with inspiring words from CEO Adina Frydman and alumni David Lehrer and Don Futterman.

The evening also included a moving performance by the YJ Alumni Merry Minstrels Trio: Aaron Leitner, Alon Tal, and David Schwartz! From singing and storytelling to moments of reflection and remembrance, the event was filled with nostalgia renewed energy for the next chapter of Young Judaea!

YJ TEENS TAKE THE LEAD: ALUMNI

In May, YJ Teens joined more than 50,000 people on Fifth Avenue for New York City’s Israel Day Parade, proudly celebrating Israel alongside the broader Jewish community. This year, YJ Teens took the lead in organizing Young Judaea’s participation, bringing together teens and alumni of all ages to march as one YJ community.

For the first time, Young Judaea marched as an independent group, complete with our own banner and T-shirts designed by the teens!

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT: 2024-2025

Young Judaea’s revenue consists of income from our programs as well as generous gifts from individual donors and major foundations.

Young Judaea is grateful to be supported by and to work with incredible Foundations and Partners

2025-26 Partners

Anonymous Foundations
CKKO Foundation
Crown Family Philanthropies
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America
Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation
Jim Joseph Foundation
KKL – JNF
Koum Family Foundation
The Marcus Foundation
Mosaic United
Progress Charitable Foundation
ROOTONE
Russell Berrie Foundation
The Skier Foundation
UJA-Federation of New York
The Zalik Foundation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We are honored by and grateful for the leadership of our Board of Directors who have worked tirelessly to steward the next great chapter of Young Judaea’s history.

Wylie Levone
President

Adina Frydman, CEO
Executive Vice President

Howie Rodenstein
Treasurer

Jonah Paransky
Secretary

David Lehrer
Immediate Past President

Andrew Ashkenase, Mara Berman, Michael Berman, Lynn Davidson, Mark Estes,
Jared Friedman, Marcia Gabrilove Ladin, Allison Goldberg, Cheryl Hanson, Brian Jaffee,
Joe Kornfeld, Fanny Korman, David Lehrer, Sacha Litman, Mindy Opper, Ari Nahmani,
Jonah Paransky, Elie Reiss, Howie Rodenstein, Greta Rothschild, Roni Schwartz
Shelley Sherman, Dan Shulman, Elaine Silver, Danielle Steger Steinberg, Manny Synalovski, Stuart Wallock

“The thing I love the most about YJ Teens is that it just brings people together, and it provides a space where people can be exactly who they are, no ifs, ands, or buts. You come in and you belong. You instantly belong. It just creates this community around you that you can never lose.” -Avery Schrag, YJ Teens Participant 2026

SUPPORT YOUNG JUDAEA

Please consider making a gift to our 2027 Annual Campaign by scanning the QR code below or visiting youngjudaea.org/give. Your investment ensures that we can continue this important work and inspire the next generation of Young Judaeans to lead with passion, purpose, and pride.

*Your gift supports Young Judaea Israel, YJ Teens, Alumni Programming, and the continued vitality of the Young Judaea movement.