Meet the new Director of CYJ Midwest, Dan Ravitch!

Learn more about CYJ Midwest!

A Message from David Weinstein, Executive Director of Tel Yehudah Dear Hevrei, I’ve been thinking a lot about how divided our world feels right now. Social media rewards quick takes and shouting matches, not listening or questioning. More and more, we are seeing a frightening rise in political violence and attempts to stifle free speech. It is scary, it is dangerous, and it makes me deeply concerned about the world our teens are inheriting. At Tel Yehudah, we are not immune to these challenges—and we are part of the antidote. This past summer, our teens sat in circles and talked about Israel, about Jewish identity, about justice, about politics. They did not all agree—not even close. Sometimes those conversations were uncomfortable, even hard. But they kept at it. They listened. They questioned. And the most powerful thing is that many of them are still talking about those conversations today, still in touch with friends they deeply disagreed with. They didn’t walk away. They stayed in relationship. This is deeply Jewish and central to TY’s Core Value of Deepening Curiosity. Our tradition is built on debate and disagreement. As Rabbi Michael Paley said, “The Talmud is full of argument and dissent—and yet it’s considered a holy book.” We can argue fiercely and still remain bound together as a people. At TY, our teens don’t just learn that—they live it. And just as important: after those hard conversations, those same teens are singing arm in arm, playing soccer, or dancing together on Saturday night. That mix—challenge and joy, dialogue and celebration—is what makes camp so special. It shows that curiosity and community can go hand in hand, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. At camp, teens learn that we can be curious about others while still holding strong to our beliefs, our values, and our responsibility to make the world a better place. Our camp disagreements, discussions, and dialogue help them understand more fully who they are and what they stand for. As we move from Rosh Hashanah toward Yom Kippur, I am holding onto this lesson. In a world that feels more divided and more violent, our teens are leading us toward  curiosity, compassion, and community.

May we all enter this new year committed to curiosity and community—and may it also be a year when our hostages come home and all know no more war or suffering.   Shanah Tovah u’Metukah – שנה טובה ומתוקה — wishing you a sweet, meaningful, and peaceful new year. David Weinstein Executive Director, Tel Yehudah

A chat with Camilla Wisse, Sprout Lake 2017-2023, Tel Yehudah 2024-25, and current Chavurah Programmer on the Northeast Mazkirut

What’s something you’re excited to try, learn, or experience this year?

This year I am so excited because I am fortunate enough to be on the Northeast Mazkirut as the Chavurah programmer. I was involved in year round YJ from a young age and I really feel that it has shaped me as a person. As the Chavurah programmer my main role is recruitment, so it is my privilege to bring young Jewish teens into year round YJ and give them the formative experience I had.

The high holidays and Rosh Hashanah are about New Beginnings–- what feels like a “fresh start” for you right now?

A fresh start to me feels like letting go of all of my grudges and impressions and looking at everything and everyone as brand new. People change and situations change, so it is important to look at everything as new so you don’t let your previous impressions get in the way when someone or something has changed for the better.

What’s your biggest hope for your YJ friends, the Jewish people, or the world this year? What’s the most meaningful thing you learned from YJ moment?

During a Peulah at TY this summer that was centred around debating I learned a very valuable lesson. The activity was extremely engaging and all the campers were participating. There was one question that people were particularly divided on and after the peulah ended me and my friends continued to discuss it. One person became upset because they thought that when someone disagreed with them that it meant that person hated them. This was a crazy moment for me because at both my school and camp peaceful debate is a very important value and I had never encountered someone that didn’t have the skill of participating in a peaceful debate. I hope that everyone in the world is able to have peaceful and heated conversations, because it is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and the world.

 If you could write one short message to all of your YJ alumni, campers, teens, staff, what would you say?

שנה טובה ומתוקה! 

May you walk with YJ in your year to come

Learn More about YJ Teens

At our recent teen leadership training weekend, we had an activity where we shared different metaphors for our relationship with Israel. These metaphors were based on various Zionist thought leaders throughout history.

There was an engaged conversation about one metaphor describing the relationship with Israel as a “ball and chain”: Some interpreted it as feeling responsible for representing Israel in their schools or with their friends. Others characterized it as a burden that they can never shed. Just by being Jewish, they might feel the pressure and expectation to know everything that is happening and to defend every action, statement and position that Israel, its people and its government take, regardless of their personal perspectives.

Then, like a voice from the heavens, one of the teens raised her hand. “I completely disagree,” she said. “I don’t see Israel as a burden or something that drags me down.”   We asked her what metaphor she would choose instead, and without hesitating she lit up and said, “Israel is my wings. With Israel I feel like I can fly.”   

Teens at a Young Judaea teen leadership weekend in 2025.

There was an audible gasp by the older generation in the room. She literally took our breath away. Why? It wasn’t that her sentiment was universally shared, but that it radiated such hope and aspiration — something we, as Jewish professionals, hunger for. It brought oxygen into the room. 

In the recent “Hope Study” by M², they found that Jewish community professionals are experiencing a crisis of hope (“M² survey finds Jewish professionals lack hope, fear internal division, but believe in their work,” eJewishPhilanthropy, Sept. 18). The experience I recount above, and countless similar interactions with our teens, serve as a constant reminder that hope is still possible.

People often ask me what it’s like to lead a Zionist youth movement. They expect me to talk about the hard parts (and yes, those moments exist), but it always surprises them that I think the greatest privilege of all is to work with today’s youth. Working with youth gives me purpose, of course, but what I love most is their raw, authentic optimism, something too many of us adults lose along the way. I joke that being around youth makes me age in reverse. They keep me young. 

The “Hope Study” cites various sources of hope that mitigate the lack of hope among Jewish professionals. They include professional impact, participating in social change, belonging to a group, and tradition. I would add to this list: working with youth. Those of us who have the honor of working with youth, day in and day out, are investing in the future, but we are also reaping the benefits in the present. The study goes on to say that there are organizational differences in their findings. Those who work in day schools scored highest in having hope, which I would posit has a lot to do with the populations they are working with each day: youth.

That said, I don’t want to minimize the detractors from hope and optimism. We are working in incredibly challenging times and conditions. With crisis after crisis and constant threats, the burnout among Jewish professionals is real; as Barry Finestone said in his recent article ”The crisis we are ignoring”, “the people holding up the Jewish world are running on fumes.” And we need to look at strategies and approaches to renew, restore and build up resiliency. I would add to Barry’s list of antidotes to this burnout: regular exposure to today’s youth (although preferably not limited to your own children — that’s more complicated).

Throughout the year, while my work demands a significant amount of travel, getting out into the field to talk to our youth, to engage them in dialogue and to be constantly amazed by their freshness, directness and unbridled optimism — that is what gives me hope. If you don’t believe me, look at my socials where I document my site visits. I can’t help but feel some of that same optimism when I spend time with our youth; and as I come back to the office, I try to hold onto that feeling, those precious interactions, until my next time in the field.

So, if you are looking for an oxygen mask to revive you and restore your hope, consider working with today’s youth. Who knows — you might even live a little longer.

Adina H. Frydman is the CEO of Young Judaea Global.

As published in ejewishphilanthropy: ejewishphilanthropy.com/working-with-youth-gives-me-hope

Hi! My name is Natalie Pittman, and I am so excited to be the National Mazkira of Young Judaea this year! 

I was pretty much born into the Young Judaea community, as my mom participated in many YJ programs. I was so excited when it was finally my turn to go to camp. I went to Sprout Lake for the first time in 2015 and attended for seven summers. I then went to Tel Yehudah for three. This past summer, I was fortunate enough to spend time at TY, on YJ’s teen summer program in Israel, Gesher, and as a counselor at Sprout Lake! 

I joined YJ Teens in high school, and realized that attending year-round events was a great way to reunite with camp friends. I discovered that YJ Teens has a lot to offer, and the community quickly became one of the biggest parts of my life. 

YJ Teens is unique in so many ways. Everyone in the movement has a voice that matters.

We are able to disagree respectfully and have mature conversations, and learn from one another. YJ Teens pushes me to make the world a better place and do my part to volunteer in the broader community. This year, the National Initiative is Human Trafficking Awareness, and I am excited to see what our teens will do to fight for human rights regarding this issue.

Young Judaea has helped me strengthen my Jewish identity, explore my connection to Israel, and become a contributing member of the world. Most importantly, the YJ community has given me some of the best friendships I could ever wish for. 

My first leadership position in YJ Teens was as the Israel and Social Action Programmer on the Northeast Mazkirut/Peer Leadership Board. In this role, I helped plan monthly events with the other Northeast Maz members, and I made sure we incorporated Israel and Antisemitism into every event. This upcoming year, I am excited to lead the National Mazkirut in planning an amazing convention, organizing a project centered on our National Initiative, and growing the YJ Teens community nationally. 

In our current world, it is more important than ever for Jewish teens to be informed, proud, and empowered to stand up against antisemitism, able to engage in conversations about Israel, and part of a Jewish community. YJ Teens does just this, and I am so excited to be the leader of the YJ Teens movement in the upcoming year. 

I cannot wait to see all of our teen leaders thrive this year and see what YJ Teens can accomplish!

Tell us about your involvement in Young Judaea.
I started at Sprout Lake when I was 10, then went on to Tel Yehudah in ’94 and ‘95, Machon, and Year Course 1998-99. I was also involved a bit in the New York club as a kid.

Do you still connect with friends from YJ?
Absolutely. I’m still very close with about 15 friends from my YJ days. The special part is that now our kids all go to Sprout together—it’s truly a second generation of our group.

What impact has YJ had on your life?
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.

And of course, Israel. YJ’s approach is spot on. It’s about love for the culture, the shira, the rikkud, and the history. Being able to engage deeply with Israel as a teenager shaped how I connect to my Jewish identity today.

What prompted you to get back involved?
After October 7th, I felt an urgent need to return to Israel. When I saw the YJ mission announcement, I signed up immediately. That week—meeting survivors, visiting cemeteries, and then being back at Kibbutz Ketura—was incredibly powerful. Looking at the sunset in the Negev, it reawakened the spirituality I felt as a 19-year-old, and my connection to Young Judaea.

Is YJ still relevant today?
More than ever. Being Jewish in America right now is more challenging than it’s been in generations. YJ provides a safe space where kids can truly be themselves, explore their Jewish identity, and build a meaningful connection to Israel. That kind of environment is rare—and essential.

What inspired you to organize reunions?
Honestly, I just love hanging out with my YJ friends. It never feels like a burden—it’s fun, and it’s rewarding to bring everyone together. I encourage other alumni to start with your own age group or “adah.” Once you gather a critical mass, the magic of YJ friendships takes over naturally.

Eli’s YJ History: Sprout Lake 1990-92, Tel Yehudah 1994-95, Counselor at YJ West and MH (at Tel Yehudah) 1997, Year Course 1998-99

When did Young Judaea first become part of your life?

I joined in high school, and it quickly became the focus of my life. I went to Tel Yehudah, did Year Course, and even volunteered on a moshav during the Yom Kippur War. Those experiences shaped my connection to Israel and Zionism.

How did your involvement continue after Year Course?

In college at Brandeis, I stayed active in YJ—leading clubs in Newton, working at Tel Yehudah (where I met my wife), and helping start a garin to Kibbutz Ketura. YJ gave me real responsibility early on. Everything was peer-led, and we learned by doing.

What inspired you to start the Israel Ride?

Years later, my old YJ friend David Lehrer was leading the Arava Institute. I had gotten into biking and thought—why not create a ride to raise money for the Arava? It felt very YJ to support Israel, peace, and the environment. The first year we had 30 riders; soon it was over 100. In 20 years, the Ride has brought more than 2,000 riders and raised millions. In many ways, organizing it felt just like running a YJ pe’ulah.

How do you see the impact of Young Judaea on your life today?

YJ taught me as much about leadership as anything else I’ve ever done—including school. I learned how to communicate, involve people in discussion, and hold multiple perspectives while working toward a shared purpose. YJ gave me mission and responsibility, and it’s why I’ve devoted so much of my life to nonprofit work, education, and Israel.

Why are you serving on the Young Judaea board today, and as treasurer?

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.

Howie’s YJ History: Mazkirut New England, Tel Yehudah camper and staff, Year Course 1972-73, YJ Club Madrich, Machon and Chavurat Yisrael, Madrich MA and Merakez

Dear Young Judaea Family,

This has been a difficult week as the war between Israel and Iran continues to unfold. We are heartbroken by the loss of life, the daily fear and disruption, and the displacement of so many. Our thoughts are especially with our Young Judaea alumni and staff in Israel—we are praying for your safety and strength.

We are all standing a little taller, prouder, and more resolute because of Israel’s courageous efforts on behalf of the Jewish people and the world. At YJ Camps, the expression of Zionism is palpable as campers sing “Am Yisrael Chai” at the top of their lungs.

At Young Judaea, our first priority is the well-being of our participants. This includes those currently in Israel on our Amirim and Onward Israel programs, and soon, additional cohorts from Onward Israel and Gesher, our teen summer program.

With safety as our top priority, we adapt as necessary to keep participants safe and engaged in a meaningful program. If you are directly responsible for a participant and have questions about how current events may impact your program or camp, please refer to the regular updates from our Israel team for the most accurate information.

In North America, our summer camps are standing together—supporting each other and our Israeli campers and staff, all of whom are deeply affected by the events in Israel. Israelis already at camp are balancing the difficulty of being far from home while still creating joyful and meaningful summers for our campers. For our Israeli campers and staff whose flights have been grounded, we eagerly await your arrival. You long to be at camp, and our camps count on you.

With decades of experience, Young Judaea is no stranger to navigating crisis. With steady leadership, dedicated staff, and a clear purpose, we respond swiftly and as a unified movement in moments like these.

Thank you for being part of our resilient Young Judaea community. We will continue to show up—for Israel, and for one another.

Oseh Shalom Bimromav, Hu Ya’aseh Shalom Aleinu, V’al Kol Yisrael, V’al Kol Yoshvei Tevel

Adina Frydman
CEO Young Judaea Global

To supplement your seder this year, our Central Shaliach, Amit Castel has written a special Seder Companion to add more meaning to your table.

Download and Print the Companion

Summer camp can often feel like an oasis— a refuge from the usual worries and fears of everyday life. This summer, that sense of escape was stronger than ever. We’re in a time where ‘real life’ feels unpredictable. Our hostages could be brought home, the war could end, and we will have a new president soon. But at camp, the comfort of community, specifically of Jewish community, made the uneasiness dissipate, even if for a short time.

From the moment campers arrived at one of the seven Young Judaea camps, they exhaled. They happily reunited with friends in a place they call home, and felt comfortable to fully express their Jewish pride. How inspiring it was to see chanichim and madrichim alike, proudly don their Magen David’s or Chai’s on their shirts.

Before camp opened, the staff decided that this summer would be a news and screen-free environment. They carefully selected which news to share with campers and staff, not to shield them from the outside world, but to help them remain present. In the end, this decision proved invaluable. Many campers and staff expressed their gratitude, noting how they were able to wake up and go to sleep without the constant anxiety of the day’s news cycle.

Unplugging was the first step.

As camp began, there were concerns about how the college age students, many of whom were coming from campuses that were taken over by encampments and hostile environments would adapt to camp life.

At one of our camps, through a podcast project focused on helping people craft their Israel stories, the staff took several days to learn how to deeply listen to one another and to be vulnerable in sharing their stories. The American staff shared their campus war stories, and Israeli staff shared their Israel war stories – many had just returned from the army or had lost family and friends since October 7th.

Holding one another was the next step.

Mostly, this was a summer like any other. Campers went to the pool, sang shira at the top of their lungs, and cheered their friends on at Maccabia/bikkurim. They danced rikkud, sang Hatikvah, and slept under the stars. They connected with their madrichims, both American and Israeli.

Making joy normal again was the final step.

As we close out summer 2024, take the time to thank the extraordinary tzevet (staff) at each camp and sign up for next summer – your kids and grandkids deserve it!

Shabbat Shalom,

Adina Frydman,
CEO Young Judaea Global