By Bianca Szulc

My YJ journey has been a little unconventional compared to most. I grew up participating in YJ Puerto Rico, volunteering at our Hebrew school, attending local events, and, of course, going to Kibbutz, which is our equivalent of a regional YJ convention and has always been my favorite weekend of the year.

In the summer of 2024, I attended CYJ Midwest, where I believe I was the first Puerto Rican to attend. The following two summers, I made my way to Tel Yehudah. YJ quickly became so much more than summer camp to me. It became a place where I felt safe being completely myself, where I met my best friends, explored my Jewish identity, and discovered the kind of leader I wanted to become.

During my alumim summer at TY, one of my friends, Sylvia Musher-Eizenman, and I realized something: the connection between Puerto Rico and YJ had almost entirely disappeared. Because of this, we decided to reestablish Young Judaea Puerto Rico, and I currently serve as its Pirsum. Our goal is to build a strong, lasting YJ presence on the island, bringing teens together from across Puerto Rico and creating meaningful, year-round Jewish programming.

That same desire to bring people together is what led me to create It Begins With Us, a peace initiative at my school this year.

This initiative stems from my fundamental belief that peace doesn’t just happen on a world stage; it happens in every person’s actions, every single day. That’s why I pushed for my school to recognize the month of September as Peace Month, which I had the opportunity to organize. Throughout the month, I wanted peace to feel less like an abstract idea and more like something our entire school community could actively participate in.

I created a school-wide peace pledge, organized activities where students painted Peace Rocks, held origami crane workshops, and hosted a diplomacy workshop through Model United Nations. I also organized a school-wide white-out casual day where different student organizations came together to raise funds for UNICEF’s earthquake relief efforts in Colombia.

Although every activity looked different, they all had the same goal: reminding students that creating peace is not something we have to wait to do; we can start with the people and communities around us.

What I love most about It Begins With Us is that it has allowed me to take something I care deeply about and turn it into something other people can participate in. I don’t expect a Peace Rock or an origami crane to change the world on its own, but I believe that when hundreds of people take one small action, those actions can become something much bigger.

That mindset is deeply connected to what I have learned through Young Judaea. YJ has taught me what open-mindedness is, how to navigate difficult conversations, create space for dialogue, and encourage people to act. So much of my belief that different perspectives can coexist, and that meaningful change starts when we are willing to listen to one another, comes from my years in YJ.

I think that is what connects my work in Puerto Rico, my work at school, and my experiences in YJ.

Whether I am helping rebuild YJ Puerto Rico, creating a peace initiative for students, or simply having a difficult conversation with someone whose perspective is different from mine, I keep coming back to the same belief: change begins with us.

So I thank YJ for truly teaching me that leadership is not exclusively about having a voice; it is about
using that voice to bring people together, create spaces for understanding, and inspire others to take
action.

At the end of the day, It Begins With Us.

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We’re thrilled to welcome Mai, Young Judaea’s new Central Shlicha! Mai recently arrived from Israel and has already hit the ground running, connecting with Judaeans and bringing her energy and passion to communities across the movement. We’re so excited to have her here and can’t wait for you to get to know her!

Hi everyone! I’m Mai Ozarko, and I’m so excited to be joining Young Judaea as the new Central Shlicha! I spent many years working in informal education through the Israeli Scouts, including two years as a community shlicha in Las Vegas, where I coordinated Shevet Pisga and managed the IAC Eitanim program. I’m also currently finishing my degree at Reichman University, where I had the opportunity to captain the university’s women’s soccer team and spend a year mentoring international students on campus.

A few fun things about me: I love my family, playing soccer, traveling, doing stand-up comedy, freediving, and practicing handstands (with varying levels of success). I’m especially excited to get to know Young Judaea from the inside—to meet the incredible people who make up the movement, learn its culture and spirit, and bring my own personality, perspective, and Israeli color to it. Most of all, I can’t wait to connect with the teens, learn from them, and create meaningful memories together!

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Hi fellow Judaeans! My name is Hallie Liberman, and I am honored and excited to serve as the National Mazkira of Young Judaea for the 2026-2027 term!

Young Judaea has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I heard the stories my dad and my brother Max brought home from CYJ Texas to TY to Year Course, and I always knew that legacy was waiting for me too. My dad served on Regional and National Mazkirut, and he and my brother both went through CYJ Texas, TY, and Year Course, which has inspired me to attend Year Course after the conclusion of this year. This past summer, I worked as a CIT at CYJ Texas and attended YJ Gesher in Israel.

I know what it feels like to be without a community, and I know how incredible it feels when someone pulls you in and makes you feel welcome. That need for community is why I restarted YJ West: to bring in people who did not know YJ and turn them into Judaeans whose love for Israel and Young Judaea inspires others.

For the past two years, I served as West Mazkira, building Young Judaea West from a nonexistent region into a flourishing one and restoring the West to the thriving force it once was. I recruited a full Mazkirut, established consistent programming, and helped turn our region into a real community, going from zero year-round events to a full calendar of Shabbat dinners, pool parties, and real conversations around antisemitism and Israel. I turned teens who had never heard of Young Judaea into regional Maz members and year-round convention participants, and that is the ruach I will bring across all of YJ as National Mazkira.

This year, I will run our weekly national teen board meetings, coordinate all five regions, and help plan our conventions and programming for thousands of teens across the country. I will be there to help when needed, continue to advocate for the movement, and oversee cross-regional connections throughout the country, both within our organization and with our movement’s partners.

My leadership experience extends beyond Young Judaea. I am also a Kenneth Leventhal Intern with StandWithUs, where I help develop and deliver antisemitism education to Jewish teens nationwide. I serve as director of my school’s a cappella group, where I lead rehearsals, help prepare the group for performances, and mentor fellow members. These roles have shaped how I think about leadership, which in turn has strengthened my foundation for this movement that I love.

This year, I will prioritize building cross-region connections so that no one feels like they are doing YJ alone just because of geography. When regions feel connected, YJ grows. We have our National Convention coming up, expanded programming across all five regions and va’ads, and programming surrounding this year’s National Initiative: women’s rights.

My goal is for every teen to want to be involved, to show up because it feels real, inclusive, and fun. I care about Young Judaea and the core values of Zionism, Jewish identity, pluralism, tikkun olam, and peer leadership that hold this movement together. I carry this responsibility knowing it will make a difference within our community and beyond.

Hallie Liberman
National Mazkira, Young Judaea

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As Young Judaea prepares to begin a new year, I want to share a few words about my experience in YJ and as the National Mazkira. 

I have been part of the YJ community since birth, as my mom was active in camps, year round programming, and Israel programs. My personal journey started in 2015 at Sprout Lake, where I fell in love with the values, people, and community of YJ. I continued through Sprout Lake until it was time for me to go to TY. At TY, I found love, energy, passion for Judaism, and leadership opportunities unlike anywhere else. Inspired by this experience, I joined YJ Teens in ninth grade, where I have spent the past four years. 

Being a part of YJ Teens has truly changed my life. I had the opportunity to grow as a leader and as a person. I discovered my passion for writing programs, organizing conventions, and leading my peers in various activities. I also found a community that truly valued my skills, personality, and presence. 

When I was elected as the National Mazkira in January, 2025, I had so many goals for the year. I was so excited to be in a position where I could make real positive changes and give back to the community that has given me so much. I am proud to say that in this position, I accomplished many of my goals. 

This year, the National Maz increased convention registration numbers drastically, holding a National Convention with over 130 teens, an 45% increase from the year prior. We planned the first ever Nationwide Shabbat, where over 20 Judaeans from across the country hosted Shabbat dinners for their friends and family, sponsored by YJ Teens. We organized a Young Judaea marching group in the Israel Day Parade, the first time marching independently. In May, we had an Altneu weekend at Tel Yehudah, where the outgoing and incoming National Maz collaborated and learned from one another. YJ Teens also saw the creation of multiple new Va’adot, or clubs, across the country. 

I put all of my energy into making these programs happen, and I could not have done it without the amazing team who I worked with all year. The four other National Maz members, Yael Friedman, Jesse Flumen, Addie Slater, and Ruth Glaser, all carried the passion and commitment required to accomplish our goals in YJ Teens. I want to especially thank Michal Abramoff, who directed our year of YJ Teens, and continues to make progress in the movement. I also want to share my deep appreciation for Amit Castel, our National Advisor this year. Amit was always there to support our Maz, and we could not have done it without him. 

While working at TY this past summer, I was approached by countless teens asking how they can bring YJ Teens programming to their communities. Seeing the passion in the next generation of Judaeans makes me very hopeful for the future. I am confident that the incoming National Maz will continue to improve Young Judaea. I am personally so excited to pass the torch to Hallie Liberman, the incoming National Mazkira, and cannot wait to see where the movement goes under her leadership. 

Thank you Young Judaea for giving me a lifelong community where I can truly be myself, a proud Jewish leader. I am forever grateful for the people I’ve met and opportunities I’ve had. I cannot wait to continue my YJ Journey on Year Course in just a few weeks, and for now, say goodbye to YJ Teens. 

– Natalie Pittman, National Mazkira 2025-2026

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Three years. Who would have believed it?

I arrived in New York in September 2023, and from the very beginning, Young Judaea welcomed me with open arms. One month later, the world changed in ways none of us could have imagined, and so did the reality of my shlichut. Through three constantly changing years, we grew, brought countless programs and conventions to life, and created meaningful moments for hundreds of chanichim across the country. Along the way, Young Judaea became a home for me, too.

I had the privilege of being Young Judaea’s first shaliach in many years and helping plant the seeds of a new chapter for the movement. Now, it’s time to pass the responsibility into new, fresh hands. I’m so happy to welcome Mai, YJ’s new Central Shlicha, and wish her the very best as she builds on what we’ve achieved and plants plenty of seeds of her own! A huge thank you to our National Mazkirut and all of the incredible YJ teams, staff, and advisors I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished, but I know this is only the beginning.

Now, I’m packing up my home in New York and preparing to return to Israel. I’m incredibly happy to be going home, but I already miss it, including the little things, like Saturday night Havdallah and Rikkud. What can beat that?! Most of all, thank you to every person I met, worked with, learned from, and shared this journey with. The YJ journey is never really over, and I can now say for sure that I’m a Judaean for life. Until we meet again, in the U.S., Israel, or anywhere else around the globe.

Forever yours,

Amit

Get to know the National Director of YJ Teens, Michal Abramoff!

I was born in New York City and grew up in Israel, so I’ve always felt at home in both the Israeli and American Jewish worlds. Before joining Young Judaea, I got to wear a few amazing hats — from serving as a shlicha on the Upper East Side of NYC to leading Noar Telem, Israel’s Reform youth movement, as its National Director. I’m now working toward my doctorate in Jewish Education at JTS, and when I’m not diving into all things YJ, you can usually find me doing arts and crafts, catching a Broadway show, reading a good book, or hanging out with my dog, Chloe!

As the National Director of YJ Teens, I’m so excited to be part of a movement where teens take the lead, make an impact, and have an incredible time doing it.

Young Judaea is so needed right now—it gives Jewish teens a place to belong, be proud of who they are, and dream big about the future. As a lifelong Zionist who grew up in Israel, I’m especially proud to be part of a movement that has championed Zionism and a deep connection to Israel for more than a century. I’m passionate about helping teens explore their Jewish identity and realize their power as changemakers. Their energy, curiosity, and courage inspire me every single day! I feel so lucky to help create spaces where they can grow, connect, and lead with meaning and heart, while also being part of Young Judaea’s rich history and traditions and helping carry its remarkable legacy into the future.

Get Involved with YJ Teens

This year, Pittsburgh YJ Teens pioneered the Pittsburgh Jewish Teen Council, bringing together teen leaders from Young Judaea, BBYO, USY, and Rodef Shalom/Temple Sinai to plan a first-of-its-kind community program.

Their efforts culminated in a citywide Challah Bake where teens explored Jewish identity, built new connections, and participated in hands-on social action projects focused on education, immigration, and the environment.

Made possible through a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the initiative showcased YJ’s teen leaders as the driving force behind bringing Pittsburgh’s Jewish teen community together!

Recently, YJ National Mazkira Natalie Pittman was a panelist in a screening of the award-winning documentary 999: The Forgotten Girls in NYC. Her mother and YJ alum, Vivian Genn-Pittman, wrote the words below.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with author and producer Heather Dune Macadam and team to help organize a powerful event; a film screening of the award-winning documentary 999: The Forgotten Girls, in NYC earlier this week on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

The film tells the gripping, little-known stories of 999 young Jewish women, mostly teenagers, deported from Slovakia on the first Jewish transport to Auschwitz in March 1942, after being misled into believing they were reporting for volunteer work. 

We were able to fill close to 999 seats in the theater, one for each girl, and had an estimated four thousand viewers on livestream.

A panel discussion with film producer, teen leaders and descendants of Holocaust survivors, including Natalie as a leader and granddaughter of a hidden child survivor/ my mom Myra Genn, (who was also honored as one of only two Holocaust survivors in the audience) followed the film. 

There was not a dry eye. 

Focus was on bearing witness, resilience, kindness, education, and a promise to carry facts and lessons forward to better humanity. 

I am heartbroken and inspired by the stories, proud beyond words of Natalie, and grateful for my mom’s recognition, resilience and continued light and love. 

A trailer of the film can be viewed here.

The introduction and discussion with Natalie following the film can be viewed here. (See Natalie speak at 18:32)

YJ Teens National Convention was such a fun and meaningful experience. First and foremost, I loved getting to see my friends, but the weekend was about so much more than that. The programming was engaging, and from a leadership perspective it was amazing to see how involved and invested everyone was in the conversations.

One of the biggest highlights of the weekend was the speakers. We were honored to have five incredible speakers lead workshops: Sarri Singer, Charlotte Korchak, Hava Tizazu, Kami Salman representing Talk Israel, and Shira Rosen. Each of them brought something unique, whether sharing personal experiences or offering education and guidance around Israel and antisemitism. One takeaway that really stuck with me was Charlotte Korchak’s explanation of antisemitism on the left. It can be incredibly painful to experience, but she emphasized the importance of standing up to it with facts, and that message really resonated with me.

Another moment that will always stay with me was Shira and Havdalah. There is something so special about ending Shabbat and starting the week surrounded by your favorite people and meaningful traditions. Overall, as a leader, it was incredibly rewarding to see how engaged everyone was and how productive the discussions were. National Convention was truly an amazing and educational weekend!

By Ruth Glaser, National ISAP

Last weekend, 130 teens from across the country and around the world came together for YJ Teens National Convention—and from the moment we stepped off the buses, the energy was undeniable. Friends reunited, new connections were formed, and excitement filled the room as we began an unforgettable weekend. Together, we celebrated Shabbat, deepened our Jewish identities, engaged in meaningful discussions about Israeli current events and our national initiative on human trafficking, and learned more about our role in the world. We sang and danced at Shira and Rikkud (one of the best Rikkuds of my YJ journey!), heard from powerful speakers, and elected the next National Mazkirut—leaders I know will bring passion and heart to YJ in the year ahead.

As National Mazkira, watching 130 teens come together in this moment 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. I shared with the teens that there are times when the world feels overwhelming and helpless—but that YJ is how I push back against that feeling.

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.

One moment that truly stayed with me was hearing from Sarri Singer, who shared her powerful survival story after being severely injured in a terrorist attack in Israel. After her recovery, she founded Strength to Strength, an organization that connects survivors of terrorist attacks around the world. Sarri reminded us that when trauma silences us, the terrorists win—but when we remain proud, open, and loud, they never can. Her message of resilience and strength is one I hope every teen carries with them moving forward.

Thank you to everyone who made National Convention so special—the weekend was incredible because of all of you. I’m excited for what’s ahead this year and can’t wait to see you at future YJ Teens events!

— Natalie Pittman, National Mazkira 2025-26