Year Round Programs Meet the 2017-2018 Midwest Young Judaea Mazkirut

By Year Round Programs

Maya Garfinkel – Mazkira

I have had a blast spending my third year on regional Mazkirut as Mazkira! I have been an active member of the Chicago Young Judaea club for the past three years in addition to being AVP of Finance and then AVP of Logistics the following year. Outside of YJ, I am very active in my school’s theatre and music departments. I am hoping to leave Midwest Mazkirut having strengthened the regional clubs of the Midwest in addition to building a Mazkirut of strong, capable leaders.

Ben Hirsch – Administrative Vice President of Logistics

I’m Ben Hirsch and this past year on the Midwest Mazkirut has been fantastic! I have been on Maz for two years, last year as Administrative Vice President of Finance and this year as Administrative Vice President of Logistics  I’ve also been very active in Chicago YJ. In addition to Maz, I’m on my school’s Cross Country, Basketball, and Volleyball teams. I spend my free time with my friends, playing guitar, or listening to music. I am so proud of our Maz for planning two incredible conventions and helping show why Midwest is the best!

Charlie Met – Administrative Vice President of Finance

I have been honored to serve on the Midwest Mazkirut this year as a representative for the Midwest Young Judaea region! I live in Madison, Wisconsin and have been involved in Young Judaea since I was in third grade. Aside from Young Judaea, I am a competitive baseball player in addition to being involved in multiple youth leadership movements and school organizations. I am happy to have grown as a leader on Mazkirut this year and look to carry what I have learned over with me in my future journey to come.

Tziona Chernoff – Bogrim Programmer

I am excited to have been re-elected onto the midwest Mazkirut. I will be returning as Bogrim programer, after spending last year as Pirsum. The goal of this year was to have inclusive themes where all Chanichim can feel connected or engaged throughout the Peulot. I enjoy seeing the Conventions having one theme that carries throughout the whole weekend. Outside of Young Judaea I am involved in my school’s fencing team, model UN team, and the Yearbook of my school. I truly love working with this Mazkirut, full of strong Jewish leaders. This summer I will be returning to my home at CYJ midwest and work as a counselor.

Max Aizenstein – Ofarim/Tzofim Programmer

I am thrilled to be on Maz for my first time this year. I went to CYJ Midwest for 6 years and then TY for 2 years. I am also an active member in Young Judaea Pittsburgh, which is ever growing. Outside of YJ I play soccer for my school and play basketball. This year my goal is to create more year round programs in smaller YJ cities as well as grow as a leader.

Daryn Smith – Social Action Programmer

I have absolutely loved serving on the Midwest Mazkirut this year! I have attended most of the Midwest conventions in the last 3 years and served on the Va’ad of communications for the last 2. Outside of YJ, I ice skate, swim, and am involved in several other community service organizations, including Dance Blue(a fundraiser for children with cancer) and EAP (a program to help minority students take AP classes). It has been a wonderful experience to work with my fellow maz members to plan two awesome conventions and inspire Judaeans to participate in social action!

Melanie Silver – Pirsum

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I’m so excited to have been on the Midwest Mazkirut this year. I was the Chicago City Coordinator for the 2016-2017 year, as well as worked on an Alternative Spring Break program for Young Judaea. I attended CYJ Midwest from 2011 – 2016, Tel Yehudah from 2016 – 2017, and went on Alternative Winter Break in New Orleans in 2016. Outside of YJ, I’m also involved in my synagogue’s youth group, the band program at my school, as well as the fencing team. It has been so amazing to work with Mazkirut to run year-round programming for the Midwest region.

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