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

By Sidney Parker, Year Course 2024-2025

Young Judaea Year Course has given me a chance to engage with all kinds of people and have meaningful discussions in my own time. While we have structured classes and guest speakers meant to spark conversation, I find that the real learning often takes place outside of those defined spaces—whether it’s during our day hikes, at lunch, or in between classes.

Year Course is full of people with different opinions, and we’re all eager to share them. For instance, two of my friends are at opposite ends of the political spectrum—one is extremely left-wing, the other deeply right-wing. Every conversation they have about politics ends in a heated debate, with each throwing sources and ethical arguments at each other. Despite their differences, they are two of the closest people I know. They’ve chosen to room together and spend time together regularly. Even though neither of them has changed their political views, they coexist peacefully.

There’s also a religious divide. Some students go out daily to wrap tefillin, wear prayer shawls, and pray, while others, like me, get excited to grab cheeseburgers with friends who also don’t keep kosher. What’s amazing is that everyone here has sought out Rabbi Adam, our educational director, to learn more about Judaism on their own terms and have open, honest conversations with an expert about Jewish perspectives. Year Course gives me the freedom to grow and learn as a person, knowing that no one will judge me while I explore new ideas and navigate my own beliefs.

Throughout the program, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with people from all walks of life and consider perspectives different from my own—all without fear of offending anyone or ruining relationships. At the end of the day, we all share meals together and sleep under the same roof. No difference in opinion could ever break the bonds we’ve built over the course of this year.

Shalom ,

I’m Itay, and I wanted to share a bit about my Year Course experience with you.

I’m sure you’ve heard a million things about what goes on during Year Course, but I wanted to give you a fresh perspective—straight from an Israeli Scout (aka the best part of the program).

I’m part of Garin Atid, a group of Tzofim (Israeli Scouts) on Year Course. And if you ask me, we’re definitely one of the best things Year Course has to offer. There are a ton of gap year programs in Israel, but Year Course is one of the only ones where Israelis and participants from abroad actually live together and become best friends for life.

Israelis my age have the option to do a year of service before we draft into the IDF, and every year, the most amazing people (aka me 😎) get to join this program. We spend the year with Americans, Canadians, and Brits, learning from each other and figuring out life together.

The relationship between the Israelis and Americans on the program is a special one because it’s a relationship from which we learn a lot. It has something more to it than a regular friendship.

I get to show my new friends around my home in Israel, correct their Hebrew when they are ordering food, and teach them how to argue with the waiter to get extra tahina for free. In return, they teach me all about life in America. So far, I’ve learned some very important things, like:

✅ What a fraternity is (still a little confused, not gonna lie)                                     
✅ Where I can find the best Pizza when I come visit the States
✅ That Thanksgiving without turkey is basically a crime

One of my favorite experiences on Year Course so far was when my best friends from the program came to stay with my family for Shabbat. It was so funny watching them enjoy a real Israeli Shabbat dinner. It’s loud, there’s way too much food, and the chaos is all new for them. It meant so much to me that they came to spend time with my family, and now they know they have family in Israel for life.

In my opinion, I think being on the program makes the experience much more authentically Israeli. As they hear the songs we love, visit the places we enjoy, and get to know Israel in an authentic and real way, we get to help our friends live their dream Israeli life.

Year Course has already been one of the best experiences. Meeting my friends for life and seeing Israel through their eyes has been so special. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Shabbat Shalom!
Itay the Israeli Scout

We recently spoke with Cyndi Schoenbrun and Chanale Hidegkuti (Lipsky), lifelong Young Judaeans and alumni of Year Course 1971-1972. Cyndi and Chana are now flatmates in Israel following Cyndi’s recent Aliyah! The two had a lot to say on growing up in the movement, memories of Year Course, recent reunions, and what it means to live in Israel now.

Watch a video of Cyndi and Chana reuniting at the airport when Cyndi made Aliyah!

Tell us a bit about your YJ history.

Cyndi: I was active in my region in Eastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia as a teen. I went to camp Tel Yehudah only in 10th and 11th grade before going on Year Course. After Year Course I went away to a small town college in the middle of PA with barely any Jews, let alone Young Judaeans, and after I graduated and returned to the Philadelphia area, the first thing I wanted to do was get a job in my profession and get involved with YJ in some capacity. A friend of ours from Year Course was the Senior Advisor and I got a job running a club. Two years later I got married to the EPA Regional Director!

Chana: I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio originally. And I was in the Cincinnati chug. We were so lucky we had HUC there. So we had a continual, contingent of well educated folks. And then I went to Camp Tel Yehudah I went for regular and I went for MA, and then we went on Year Course, which was THE bomb. We loved it! I worked for the movement before and after as a chug leader, and I was on the International Executive Board for programming, I was in Hamagshimim, and I worked at camp.

When did you start having Year Course reunions?

Cyndi: Chana and I were friendly on Year Course, there were 80 of us, but nothing really happened until we had our first reunion outside of Washington D.C.

Chana: I used to fly to California for work, and one time instead of staying in a hotel I stayed with a friend from our Year Course. We decided to try and find every person from our Year Course, and we did. We found all but one. Some are in Israel, some in America, but it was wonderful (that first reunion we had).

Cyndi: That was when people started getting more in touch with each other on a wide ranging basis. and then it came time to begin planning our 50th reunion. And that was when you and I (Cyndi and Chana) started to work together. We planned the reunion along with eight people. It was originally supposed to be in Israel, but because of COVID was on Zoom. We ended up having two reunions that way.

Tell us about Aliyah.

Chana: I made Aliyah in 2019. And, that was, an experience. I learned a lot. And then just about the time that Cyndi was thinking of coming, I was finding an apartment for two. And the intention was, when you come, we’ll be the two. We have a little two bedroom apartment, very cozy, very nice. On a clear day, you can see the Dead Sea and Jordan, we are on the Green Line. Since Cyndi came in and from that point on, it’s been a matter of accommodating to being Israeli.

We’re learning a lot and we’re getting around. We’re being part of the community. Life is good!

Impact of YJ

Chana: We are still in contact with our chevrei and we’re old. Did we mention we’re really old? But, you know, we visit Young Judeans who have been here (in Israel) forever, our madrichim and our chevrei, and our life is involved in part, with people who have been Young Judeans, in other years.

I’ll tell you one cute story. The first week I got here Friday night, we went to a new shul, I asked someone, “שהוא בית הכנסת האמריקאי” And finally I get to this, big shul and there’s stairways up and there was a greeter at the door, and he looks at me and he says, “Hillary Lipsky, Young Judaea Year Course ’71-’72!” I said, how could you possibly know that? He said, “Kobi Ableman, Young Judaea Year Course ‘74-’75 come inside and meet your chevrei!”

So at that moment we were connected with, at least a decade of olim from Young Judaea.

Chana: We are your we are your quintessential Young Judaean chevrei. We have Young Judaeans living all around us (in Israel).

Chana: Let me clarify. Young Judaea was the most consequential, important moment of my entire life.

Cyndi: Me too.

Chana: Mel Reisfield would speak at camp. You know, you would measure your development in the movement by how many times you had heard his sicha. He got up one time in the moadon and he said, “There has not been a time in history where Jewish people could live three generations, in a civilized society. For those of you in the room who are Ashkenazi, do the math. It’s you.”

So when you see that ugly anti-Semitism pop up, do not tarry. It didn’t work so well the last time. Soon as you see it, if you’re not already in Israel, get up and get yourself to Israel. So, for me, it’s like a an electrode in the brain. And then I’m looking around in my world and I saw it, and that electrode came alive. And I reached out to Nefesh B’Nefesh I did everything I needed to do so we could be here.

Both: It’s really okay with us specifically if you find a Young Judaean  and who’s questioning how their life could be in Israel. Please, connect them with us.

What’s a memory that sticks out from your time on Year Course?

Cyndi: We were the last full Year Course before it split up into different sections. We had ulpan each day for about four hours. I still didn’t speak a comprehensible Hebrew but one of the things that amazed me was how I still was able to get around. And it was because of Young Judaea that I felt comfortable being in Israel. I didn’t feel that it was going to take me seven out of the ten months to acclimate to the country. And, I remember getting a really bad sunburn when we were at Caesarea on the beach area.

Chana: In those days, we couldn’t pack suitcases and take them. We were allowed one suitcase so most of our clothing and all came in trunks and on a ship. Trunks, trunks, can you imagine that? It was delayed and two months later it finally arrived. And that night you would thought everybody was going for their senior prom.

We were all dressed and I remember that first Friday night…I always had this background of connecting to Judaism. And they took us that Friday night to the Kotel. Even now, I’m still getting choked up just remembering it. It was like the culmination of everything that we had experienced through Young Judaea, through being in camp, and, I won’t say that was the only big memory, but it was just really incredible.

Chana: You got to know people from everywhere on Year Course. And we all had the same thing at the core. And that’s what made it a cohesive group. You didn’t necessarily hang around with all 73 or 78 other people, but there was a something of a cohesiveness. Young Judaea gave us that reason and purpose and that mission.

Interview with Dan Goldstein

When did you start meeting weekly in DC for the hostages? Tell us about these meetups.

On the second or third week of the war, I joined with a group running weekly vigils for the hostages at the American Red Cross Headquarters, which is within sight of the White House. This is one of multiple groups in the DC area running regular events for the hostages, where all the groups are a mix of Israeli and American participants. Nowadays, the vigils are mostly on the National Mall near the Capitol, with some other sites on occasion. Most of the events get around 30-40 people on a weekly basis — sometimes a lot more — but never more than a handful of Young Judaeans, usually just the same 5-6 Young Judaeans each week. The lack of Young Judaeans at the events has been a huge disappointment for me.

Is there any one memory or story from a rally that stands out in your memory?

There have been so many amazing moments over the past 16 months! One recent one was in December, when Keith Siegel’s wife Aviva marched with us and spoke to us, holding her granddaughter’s hand. As I’m sure you know, Keith grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and was a childhood friend of multiple Young Judaeans, including the very well-known Alon Tal (Young Judaea’s first Knesset member!). When Aviva spoke with us, we didn’t even know for sure whether Keith was alive — and now here he is, back home in Israel with his family.

Why do you think it’s important to advocate for the hostages?

Advocating for our hostages embodies all the values that we learned in Young Judaea: Zionism; the redemption of captives; “all Jews are responsible for each other” (כל ישראל ערבים לזה, a song we sang at Tel Yehudah), Tikkun Olam… How could we not go to the vigils and marches for the hostages?

What is your YJ history?

I grew up in UNYS region, went to TY as a camper 1975-78, TY kitchen 1979-80, Yearcourse 1979-80, TY madrich 1982-83, made Aliyah 1984, lived on Kibbutz Ketura 1984-2001, had Young Judaeans as my sergeants in the IDF, was the Shaliach for Midwest/Central States/WPA 1994-96 (so also at CYJ Wisconsin 1995-96), sent our son to TY 2010-11.

How can interested Young Judaeans join you for these rallies?

Find me on Facebook! I can give you all the information you need.

By Rabbi Adam Drucker, Director of Education for Young Judaea

After deciding to stay in Israel following October 7, James Shmurak and Andrew Leibovitch found their connection to their Jewish identity growing exponentially. Their original purpose for coming to Israel was to take time to discover who they were and to explore their identities. However, lacking a strong connection to a Jewish community in the U.S., neither of them had the opportunity to formally celebrate their Bar Mitzvah or grapple with their Jewish identity.

Both had heard about the highly popular program “Road Trip with the Rabbi” and decided to give it a try. Throughout the trip, they developed a strong bond with our Director of Education, Rabbi Adam. They marked the conclusion of this chapter in their Jewish journey by celebrating their Bnei Mitzvah in Israel. On the final Shabbat of the program, James and Andrew received Aliyot, expressing their joy at learning to recite the necessary prayers, and celebrated this special occasion with their Year Course family.

Learn More about Young Judaea Year Course!

By Sigal Waisman Bierman, Year Course 2024-2025

Standing here in Poland, a place where history weighs so heavily in the air, I find myself wrestling with thoughts I didn’t expect. Before this trip, I thought that being here would make it easier to picture what the Jews of Eastern Europe went through. But even walking through the camps, surrounded by evidence of their suffering, I find that it’s still hard—impossible, even—to fully grasp. Without seeing the faces of the victims or hearing every individual story, everything risks becoming generalized.

I wondered, at what point do people become numbers? And is our way of learning about mass casualties—focusing on scale—doing more harm than good?

This question followed me to Auschwitz. That day I learned that Auschwitz is a museum, and I know many of my peers felt differently about that. Personally, I had no idea what to expect. At first, I was angry. The thought of it being treated like a museum felt disrespectful, like it was turning unimaginable pain into a display, making the Holocaust a “past” instead of a living, searing memory. Some aspects still frustrate me, like what our guide Miriam pointed out about the entrance tickets—printed with your name and “ticket to Auschwitz.” How could that not feel jarring, when so many Jews had similar tickets, but theirs led to death and suffering instead of an educational tour?

But as I walked through the museum, something shifted. Seeing the photographs, the videos, and the artifacts brought me closer to people’s realities. Sometimes more than other locations where things have been destroyed, becoming empty fields with small plaques. I realized those artifacts weren’t just relics; they were connections to lives stolen too soon. They gave me a glimpse of individuals, not just numbers. Each different shade of hair color. Each individual key to family homes. Each unique shoe encompasses fashion sense. As hard as it was to see, it was also impactful in a way I didn’t expect.

My biggest realization reminded me of something we experienced just a few weeks ago, when we volunteered at the Gaza envelope. That day, we were supposed to help the farmers by cutting weeds and clearing fields after October 7. Instead, most of us ended up back at a small shack, singing, dancing, and laughing together. At the time, I felt guilty, thinking we weren’t doing enough—thinking we should’ve been out there working harder, helping in a more concrete way.

At the end of the day, the farmer came to speak with us. I expected him to be upset, to reprimand us for slacking off. Instead, he thanked us. He said our joy, our laughter, our unity as young Jews thriving and bringing light to a place scarred by horror was more meaningful than any work we could’ve done. It was the light we brought that mattered most.

And isn’t that exactly what we’re doing here? Of course, we’ve come to learn—to witness, to mourn, to try to understand. But above all, the fact that we are here, together, as young Jews thriving in a place that once symbolized unimaginable darkness for our people, is the greatest mission we could have. It’s the ultimate act of defiance against the hate and evil that tried to destroy us.

The true victory of the Jewish people isn’t just survival. It’s our unity, our joy, and our love for life. Being here, walking these grounds, and sharing these moments together—it’s the greatest revenge we could ever take against the darkness of the past. We are here, bringing light to a place that once knew only darkness. And in doing so, we honor the memory of those who were lost in the most meaningful way possible: by continuing to live, love, and thrive.

By Zeke Lehrman, Year Course 2024-2025

Standing here today, in Poland, the land of our ancestors, in the shadow of death camps, mass graves and the greatest manifestations of evil known to the 4.5 billion years of this earth, where our people were brutally enslaved, trapped and murdered. I can honestly say that this has been the most intense, and emotionally charged experience of my life—as a Jew, as a Zionist, and as a human being. The Holocaust, with its unspeakable horrors, is beyond comprehension. Every time I try to understand or rationalize the unimaginable suffering, I find myself overwhelmed, caught in a deep spiral of pain in my chest. There are no answers, no reasons that can justify such a tragedy.

But there are lessons—lessons that echo through our very existence as Jews. The Holocaust is not just a part of Jewish history, but of world history. It is a cry from the heavens—a call to us to live Jewish lives, to embody the very values that make up being a Jew- , kindness, love, gratitude and dignity. To not take any moment for granted. Moreover, on middot, a core tenet of Jewish values is that man was created in God’s image, and that each soul, each life is equivalent to a world in itself. We lost an unfathomable amount of worlds due to the precise deliberate failure and neglect of recognizing the divinity of humankind, and the sanctity of life. The Holocaust serves as the greatest reminder to treat everyone equally, and fairly – as created in the image of God, because we are all sacred. And it is this understanding that brings us here, to honor those who perished, but also to bring Jewish life back to where it once thrived.

When we sing “Acheinu” or “Hatikvah” amidst the mass graves, the camps, in the cold, standing where millions were brutally and unforgivingly robbed of the opportunity of life. We reclaim something that was taken from us. We restore Jewish life to what was once the heart of the Jewish world—our tradition, our people, our resilience. L’dor vador they say, in every generation they rise up against us and we still feel that today, with Oct 7 and skyrocketing levels of antisemitism lurking in the background. Nonetheless, It is a privilege, a profound honor, to be here, to be alive, and to continue the journeys of those who were denied.

Soon each and every one of us will get on a plane to Israel, and continue on with our years, making life long memories in the place where they so desired to. The place that they had prayed to reach for but were denied the opportunity. It is on us to make memories for them, to live because they couldn’t.

As we step back into the land of Israel tomorrow, keep in mind a name, or a story and hold that with you, understanding that we are fulfilling their individual and collective prophecies. That we get to live outwardly Jewish, and express our values, traditions and life, in Israel, in Zion.

Our takeaway is that we must ensure that it is never forgotten. We carry the responsibility to teach future generations, to educate them about the past, so that we can build a future where hatred and genocide have no place.

May we honor the memories of each life lost by living our lives with purpose and integrity, and may we never forget that it is through our continued commitment to Humanistic, and Jewish values and identities that we answer this call of history. Thank you.

By Shayna Strauss
Gesher 2024, CYJ TX

After a year of being surrounded by constant Anti-Zionism and misinformation it was refreshing being able to be with Jews who share the same values as me. Despite what is going on in the world my connection to the land, Jewish Identity, and Zionist beliefs strengthened.

Gesher was filled with fun activities like the snorkeling in the red sea, rappelling off of a mountain, trying Israeli food, walking around the shuk, and so much more. I cherish the learning that took place and I’m confident when answering the hard hitting questions that I face during the year at home. Being able to talk to families of hostages, friends of fallen soldiers, and people from towns under constant fire helped me understand the reality of what is going on, something impossible to wrap your head around back in America. We explored the challenges facing Israel today domestically and internationally while giving us hope of coexistence and the future of Israel. Not one time did I feel unsafe or scared because of the amazing counselors who were able to navigate touring around the country during war time. I met lifelong friends and made memories that will last a lifetime.

One of my favorite things about the Gesher program was having Israelis my age on the program. They were able to show me what it is like being Israeli, their favorite stores, foods spots, etc. to the point that I did not feel like a tourist, but instead a part of Israeli society. Israel showed me what it is like to be myself freely and openly, not having to constantly explain why I believe or celebrate a holiday. All around, Gesher was the most fun and meaningful experience I’ve ever had. Since coming home I have been inspired to be openly proud of my Zionist identity despite that hate I may receive. I am prepared to go to a college campus, as I’m graduating next year, and have started learning Hebrew to feel more comfortable what I now see as my future home.

Learn More About Gesher

By Adina Frydman, CEO Young Judaea

As I sit in my comfortable El AL airplane seat, counting down the hours of my arrival to my second home, Israel, it is also hours from the release of the first three hostages, Romi, Emily and Doron. For them it will be a different homecoming.

For me, I will travel from Ben Gurion airport to my hotel, where I will recover from mild jet lag after a few hours of sleep. For them, they will be brought back in cars over the very border they were taken hostage 15 months ago. They will be examined for signs of physical, mental, and emotional trauma, reunite with their families, and then spend the rest of their lives in recovery and healing.

But still, we will both be finally home.

As a Jew currently living in the diaspora, the experience of coming back to Israel, is a deeply emotional one. From the minute I step on the plane I feel my heartbeat hasten and my anticipation grow as I get closer and closer. As the wheels touch the tarmac, I feel overtaken with emotion and shed a few tears. And that first breath I take when I step out of Ben Gurion and roll down my window in the taxi, I know I am home.

In this week’s parsha, Va’eira, we start with God hearing the cries of the people and remembering his covenant.

וְגַ֣ם | אֲנִ֣י שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי אֶת־נַֽאֲקַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִצְרַ֖יִם מַֽעֲבִדִ֣ים אֹתָ֑ם וָֽאֶזְכֹּ֖ר אֶת־בְּרִיתִֽי

I have also heard the Israelites’ groaning, complaining that the Egyptians are enslaving them, and I have recalled My covenant.

And what is this covenant? To redeem them and to bring them home.

Regardless of the extent to which Torah is present in your daily lives, it is impossible not to notice the alignment to our present day events with the parshiot in the coming weeks leading up to the Israelites ultimate Exodus from Mitzrayim and eventual arrival to the Promised Land. Obviously, the analogy ends there. But, for the hostage families, all Israelis, and Jews around the world, the days and weeks to come will be filled with emotion and angst. For while we believe some of the hostages are coming home, we don’t know for certain, and we don’t know whether they will be dead or alive. We are also keenly aware of the price we are paying for each life. Over 1900 prisoners will be released in this exchange. And yet, without a negotiation and ceasefire, the bloodshed, of both Israelis and Palestinians, will not end.

When our kids were little and they had tantrums, we would look at them and say, “we don’t negotiate with terrorists.” Of course, this was long before any of this transpired and they understood the idea of a real terrorist, and the harsh reality that sometimes we do negotiate, because if we don’t, the price we will pay is simply too big.

It is much more complicated than that, as many of us know. The question of what a life is worth? Why does it seem that Jews value Jewish life so much more than Palestinians value Palestinian life? The ratios in the prisoner/hostage exchange show that clearly. I think about the young men and women who are making the commitment today to serve in the Israeli army knowing that it is a calculated risk, a risk for their country. How much strength does it give them to know that Israel will not abandon them. With each hostage that is returned there is a boost to morale, a morale that creates resiliency and the courage to remain on the front lines. Let us never forget that it is on their backs that we continue to have a place to call home.

As Chaim Weizman famously said and then Nathan Alterman turned into the famous poem, we all know, “A state is not handed down on a silver platter.”

Thank you to all those responsible for maintaining and perfecting our precious Israel, that we have the privilege to call home.