By Aviva Schonbrun, Year Course 2024-2025

My name is Aviva Schonbrun and I was on Year Course 2024-2025.

Today was my college orientation. I didn’t know anyone and was really nervous about meeting new people. Part of that anxiety came from not knowing what to say if someone asked me about my past year. I was honestly scared to mention Israel to the wrong person.

I made my first friend at the campus Starbucks, and while we chatted, I followed her on Instagram. I then noticed she had just posted a congratulations message for the new mayor of New York City (someone who’s openly anti-Zionist and antisemitic). I immediately got nervous. I obviously didn’t know where she stood on Israel, but I took it as a bad sign.

Eventually, she asked about my gap year, but instead of freezing up, I confidently said Israel. Surprisingly, she said “That’s so cool” We walked to the next meeting together, and I decided to open up to her about my hesitation to share where I had spent the year, and told her I had been relieved by her response.

Then she said, “ Honestly, I don’t really even know much about what’s going on right now, are you able to explain? All I’ve heard is Israel bombs Gaza.”

I know this stuff comes up on college campuses, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to have this conversation within my very first hour there, but after this year, I felt a sense of responsibility to share what I’ve learned.

I tried to explain briefly the history and nuance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and then October 7th. She kept asking questions and we talked for another 30 minutes while we waited in line. I did my best to use what I’ve learned this year- listening to her perspective and filling in the gaps with what she didn’t know.

At the end, she thanked me for teaching her and I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. I’m incredibly grateful to Year Course for giving me the confidence and the educational tools to engage in these tough conversations, and hopefully make a difference. Thank you for everything this past year. I miss it so much!

Learn More About Year Course

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

By Margot Turk Calacuda, Year Course 1974-75

Growing up in the youth movement Young Judaea taught me many things that attribute to who I am today. One of the biggest lessons? That there are friends, there is family, and then there are those rare friends who become your family. My adrenaline is at a high level after spending a week with my “family friends.” The 1974-75 Year Course in Israel had a big impact on our lives, and together we celebrated the experience we had 50 years ago.

I had a small pre-reunion with a few friends in Haifa to catch up on life from the past 50 years. We had a culinary tour in Wadi Nisnas, the most authentic market and traditional market that emphasizes coexistence. Chef Avi showed off his skills in our kitchen for Friday night dinner while I showed off my clown toys. Early Shabbat morning we walked to Carmel Hai Bar, the nature reserve devoted to the raising of endangered and extinct animals. We drove to visit my Druze friend on the mountain for pita and labane before heading down to Ein Hod the Artist village.

In the evening we dined at my favorite downtown bistro and followed by a walk to to view the graffit in Haifa. After a night’s sleep for most, we met at the Louis Promenade for the best views of the lower section of Haifa, the bay all the way to Lebanon.

We had brunch at the fun Cafe Diyoma which gives a feeling of what cafes used to be like in Haifa. We drove to Nesher to the suspension bridges to “hang out”. We hiked with my speaker in hand and danced until suddenly a group of elementary school children joined us. I played a song that they would know and we all danced. Their madrich asked us “old ladies” if we’d ever heard of a camp in NY called TY. Really? Of all the places and people to ask! He was a shaliach at TY in 2009.

Laughing all the way back to the car we drove to Haifa University and up to the 30th floor of the Eshkol tower to see the panoramic view of Haifa and the surroundings. Our evening was down at the beach to meet my daughter and grandsons before our dinner at the Beach Club. With the sunset in the background, we got ready for our early wake up to take the train to Savidor station to meet all of our Chevre.

Next we took the long drive down to Kibbutz Ketura. We began with a brief walk to see some of the changes in the Kibbutz and ended up at the pool for a lovely BBQ dinner. Dinner was followed by our ice-breakers and a discussion about Israel over the past 50 years.

The next morning after breakfast we headed to the date fields. It was especially meaningful for those that planted trees 50 years ago. We continued on down to Eilat to have a choice of snorkeling or the underwater observatory. We had lunch at the Ice Mall and back to Kibbutz for free time plus the Argan Oil production tour. This was followed by a very moving Memorial Celebration of Life for those that had left us too soon. Sitting in the hut we reminisced about wonderful people we were fortunate to have had in our lives and no longer alive to make new memories together with us. We had dinner tasting beers and pizza at Beerzinut. That evening we got down and wild with karaoke and storytelling.

The morning began with an amazing hike, climb, and crawl at Timna park, a lunch of ice cream at Yotvta, and then back to kibbutz to get muddy on our faces.

We walked back to our meeting room for an inspirational panel discussion of how YJ impacted our lives in terms of activism.

We then had a quick talk about Medical Clowning in Israel (hmmm, I wonder who the clown was that spoke).

We made dinner together—pita on the saj—then hiked into the dark with ultraviolet lights for a magical Scorpion Safari. I wore white sneakers and loved seeing my feet light up as we danced under the stars. We ended the night with a cozy kumsitz, where our talented Texas crew brought guitars and voices for an unforgettable evening of nostalgic songs.

On the final day of departure we were accompanied by music like, “I had the time of my life”, “You’ve got a friend”, and “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, we hugged and boarded our bus with a stop at Sde Boker to pay respects to David Ben Gurion’s gravesite.

We disembarked at Savidor Station in Tel Aviv with more hugs repeating “until we meet again’ and ‘l’hitratot’ because we neve say goodbye. I love my friends that have made my life better just by being in it, and I thank you. It is true when they say that Young Judaea friends are forever.

Why am I writing this post?
To all Young Judaea alumni—before, during, and after 1974-75: If you will it, you can do it!

We were awesome then, and we’re still awesome now. Reunions remind us of that.

Leah Kayman of Keren Kolot at Kibbutz Ketura devoted so much time in assuring that we were happy. Details are so important.

Abraham Silver (YC 1975-76) was our passionate guide and definitely an integral part of the success of our reunion.

Last but not least, the determination of 25 participants that traveled so much distance (with stops due to cancelled flights to Israel) to join over 15 participants here in Israel. Your efforts despite delays, sirens, schlepping showed us all that it was worth the countless hours of emails, zoom talks, messages…. to make this all a success. On behalf of my partners in crime on the committee we embrace you all with love and laughter.

See more pictures from the reunion!

Ready to plan your Year Course reunion? Email alumni@youngjudaea.org and we’ll get you started!

By Mandy Funk, Year Course 1998-1999

What an incredible weekend! Thirty-five friends, scattered across the country and even as far as Spain, descended upon Austin, Texas on April 25th for our 26^th 1998-1999 Year Course reunion. This was only our second reunion since 2019, making it even more special. It was a weekend packed with all the elements that make these gatherings so special: love, laughter, deep conversations, and plenty of reminiscing.

We kicked things off right with some fun by the pool, soaking up the Texas sun and shaking off the travel dust. As evening approached, we got dressed up for dinner, but not before a truly special moment in the hotel lobby. We gathered to celebrate the start of Shabbat, lighting candles and saying the blessings over wine and challah. It was a beautiful and meaningful way to begin our time together. Dinner was classic Austin – delicious BBQ, followed by an evening of nostalgic music and dancing that had everyone on their feet.

Saturday morning brought an invigorating tiyul on the Austin Greenbelt, a perfect way to experience the city’s natural beauty. We worked up an appetite for a great lunch, then it was back to the hotel for more poolside party fun. As the sun began to set, we headed out for some authentic Austin flavor: tacos and dancing at the White Horse honky-tonk. The energy was infectious, and we danced the night away, reliving old memories and making new ones.

This reunion was a testament to the enduring power of friendship. Despite the years and the distance, the bond between us remains as strong as ever. Catching up, sharing stories, and simply being together felt like coming home. huge thank you to Young Judaea, YJ’s camps, and Year Course for bringing all these lovely individuals together and helping created lifelong friendships. Here’s to many more years and many more reunions!

Ready to plan your Year Course reunion? Email alumni@youngjudaea.org!

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!