The 2024-25 year was both inspiring and transformative for Young Judaea. We engaged over 3,000 children, teens, and young adults in our camps, year-round programs, and Israel travel programs—even amid the impact of the ongoing war in Israel and the rise of antisemitism around the world.
These experiences are deepening Jewish identity, creating life-long connections to Israel, and cultivating the next generation of leaders. Our alumni, together with their YJ friends, continue to make a difference—reuniting at rallies, parades, and protests.
We are particularly proud to have operated continuously throughout the war, all the while maintaining the safety of our participants and delivering a life-changing program. We applaud the 116 Year Coursers, 57 Gesher participants, and their parents, who showed remarkable dedication by choosing to travel to Israel during such an unprecedented time.
In these challenging times for Israel and the American Jewish community, Young Judaea reaffirms its 116-year commitment to Zionism while also addressing our responsibility to affect positive change.
As the world grows increasingly polarized, Young Judaea remains a home for pluralism and diverse perspectives, empowering teens to engage in meaningful conversations while embracing their Jewish and Zionist identities with confidence.
This year, YJ Teens—our year-round programming—saw remarkable growth, with teens engaging in dynamic regional and national conventions, taking on leadership roles as Mazkiruyot, and capping it off with an energizing summer at Tel Yehudah. More teens than ever also served as CITs and MITs at our camps or spent the summer 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 education team.
Teens further amplified their impact through a powerful written statement against antisemitism, organized a Teen Summit on Israel and Antisemitism, and traveled to North Carolina to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. 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.
Whether you’re a second or third-generation Judaean, started in Ofarim at camp, only went on Year Course, or are a family member of a Judaean, you are on your YJ journey and forever a part of Young Judaea!
We invite you to stay connected by subscribing to our quarterly e-newsletter and following us on social media.
Sign up and follow at youngjudaea.org.
Adina Hocsman Frydman
CEO, Young Judaea Global
Wylie Levone
President, Young Judaea Global
Young Judaea participants didn’t just witness this moment in Israel’s history—they became part of it.
Even in a year marked by war and uncertainty, we continued to provide safe, meaningful, and engaging Israel programming. This year, 116 young adults joined Year Course, immersing themselves in Israeli life through electives, classes, internships, and travel. They stepped into the story of Israeli resilience—volunteering with communities and farmers, and meeting with families of those still in captivity. Despite the initial uncertainty of running Gesher due to the war with Iran, 57 teens traveled to Israel this summer, experiencing three powerful weeks.
This past summer, at the start of an unusual season, our Israeli michlachat (delegation) brought their unwavering spirit, arriving by boat during the Iran war. Teens on Gesher spent three unforgettable weeks in Israel exploring, volunteering, and deepening their connection. In Tel Aviv, Amirim and Birthright Israel Onward participants gained hands-on experience in diverse internships.
In the past two years, YJ Teens grew from 50 to 300 teens and still growing.
This year, YJ Teens experienced incredible growth—expanding vibrant chapters across the country, reigniting long-standing ones, and strengthening our bonds as a National movement. Young Judaea teens raised their voices with a powerful National statement against antisemitism, helped rebuild hurricane-damaged homes in North Carolina, and created unforgettable memories through epic rikkud sessions at conventions! They also confronted the challenges of rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, finding in YJ Teens a safe, supportive space to process and respond to today’s realities.
Jewish camp is more vital than ever —offering much-needed joy and connection.
Prior to camp, YJ sent leaders from five camps to Israel with Birthright Israel to volunteer and deepen their connection. They returned inspired—bringing fresh experiences and a true taste of Israel back to camp.
This summer, YJ camps were alive with energy and lasting impact—campers connected with Jewish peers (including many Israelis), strengthened their bond with Israel, and embraced the joy of rikud, shira, and all that makes YJ unique.
Young Judaea alumni continue to inspire, embodying the spirit of “Ani Ve’ata Neshane Et Ha’olam” across their professional fields and across continents. This year, alumni gathered weekly in cities across the U.S. and Israel to advocate for the release of the hostages. Others traveled to Israel, offering their time and expertise to support those in need on the ground. They also rekindled their YJ bonds through parlor meetings and unforgettable Year Course reunions—including the remarkable 50-year reunion of the 1974–75 schivah at Kibbutz Ketura in Israel!
“Only those who were on Year Course can truly understand the bond it creates. Being part of the planning committee for our fiftieth reunion was an honor and a gift. The celebration at Kibbutz Ketura was nothing short of magical.
-April Sanders, Year Course 1974
Howie Rodenstein
Mazkirut New England, Tel Yehudah camper and staff, Year Course 1972-73, YJ Club Madrich, Machon and Chavurat Yisrael, Madrich MA and Merakez
“Now more than ever, a Zionist youth movement is essential in America. For YJ to thrive, it needs strong, year-round activity to complete the circle. I joined the board, and took on the role of treasurer, to help make that happen and ensure YJ continues shaping the next generation the way it shaped me.”
Mikayla Kaplan
CYJ Texas 2014-18, Tel Yehudah 2019, CIT/Staff at CYJ Texas 2021-2025, Year Course 2022-23
“On Year Course, I worked with Israelis and Palestinians through Magen David Adom and gained firsthand insight into Israeli life. That experience deepened my connection to Israel and gave me the confidence to engage others in real dialogue.”
Eli Reiss
Sprout Lake 1990-92, Tel Yehudah 1994-95, Counselor at YJ West and MH (at Tel Yehudah) 1997, Year Course 1998-99
“My closest lifelong friends are from YJ, and those friendships have grown into family bonds. YJ also gave me confidence to be an organizer, to bring people together. The programming taught us not what to think, but how to think—presenting all sides of complex issues and trusting us to form our own conclusions.”
Spending a year in Israel creates bonds that last a lifetime—and this year, that was proven with reunions across the decades: the Class of 1974 celebrated 50 years at Kibbutz Ketura, while 1998 alumni gathered in Austin, TX, 1994 in Chicago, and more!
Thinking about planning your own? Young Judaea can help with registration, marketing, and reconnecting with your YJ chevre. Email us at alumni@youngjudaea.org to get started.
Young Judaea’s revenue consists of income from our programs as well as generous gifts from individual donors and major foundations.
We are honored by and grateful for the leadership of our Board of Directors who have worked tirelessly to get this ‘116 year old start up’ running toward the future.
Wylie Levone
President
Adina Frydman, CEO
Executive Vice President
Howie Rodenstein
Treasurer
Jonah Paransky
Secretary
David Lehrer
Immediate Past President
Andrew Ashkenase, Michael Berman, Lynn Davidson, Marcia Gabrilove Ladin, Allison Goldberg, Brian Jaffee, Fanny Korman, Joe Kornfeld, Sacha Litman, Ari Nahmani, Mindy Opper, Jonah Paransky, Marlene Post, Greta Rothschild, Roni Schwartz, Shelley Sherman, Michael Sherman, Elaine Silver, Barbara Spack, Daniella Steinberg, Manny Synalovski, Stuart Wallock
Please consider making a gift to our 2026 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.
