Our History
Young Judaea remains the largest Zionist youth movement in North America. We are privileged to have the experience and expertise that comes with age, along with the fresh energy and innovative thinking that comes at new beginnings. We can’t wait to see where the next century will lead us!
1909
Junior Zionist Convention is held in NYC and a National Youth Organization, Young Judaea is established!
Original Young Judaea Constitution adopted: “Aim to advance the cause of Zionism, to further the mental, moral and physical development of the Jewish youth, and to promote Jewish culture and ideals in accordance with Jewish traditions”
1912
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America is established and began its relationship with Young Judaea
1933
Judaeans, at their national convention, passed resolutions condemning the German government and also called for a chlautzit (pioneering) movement within YJ.
1948
Camp Tel Yehudah, Young Judaea’s senior camp is founded
1952
Camp Young Judaea Texas is founded
1956
The first Year Course Cohort goes to Israel which eventually becomes the largest gap year program in Israel
1961
Camp Judaea in North Carolina is founded
1963
Young Judaea becomes the only Jewish youth group to send an official delegation to the civil rights March on Washington
1967
Hadassah becomes the sole sponsor of Young Judaea
1967
Founding Convention Held in Asbury Park
1970
Camp Young Judaea Midwest is founded
1973
Kibbutz Ketura founded by Young Judaea graduates looking for a stronger commitment to Zionism after the Six Day War
1980
Young Judaea marching at a Salute to Israel parade in the 1980s
1990
Young Judaea Year Course participants wait at the Ben Gurion Airport to greet olim from the Soviet Union in 1990
1993
Young Judaea gathers over 8,000 signatures on a petition to the Clinton Administration calling for more U.S. involvement on behalf of Israeli soldiers missing in action.
1997
Young Judaea formalizes partnerships with its two sister movements – the Tsofim in Israel and the Federation of Zionist Youth in Great Britain – to strengthen the connection between Jewish, Zionist youth in Israel and in the Diaspora
2012
Young Judaea becomes an independent organization – a ‘103-year-old start up’!
2020
Young Judaea camps go virtual due to COVID, Year Course experiences record numbers as many postpone college
2023
Following the October 7th attacks, Year Coursers and alumni volunteer across Israel helping displaced families, while Young Judaeans in the United States organize petitions and protests
2023
500 Young Judaeans attend the March on Washington for Israel and organized 30,000 youth from across all Jewish youth organizations
As different as Young Judaea is today from how it began in 1909, we have kept our ideals and our commitment to Judaism and Zionism. In an era when many of America’s youth are searching for meaning and purpose, Young Judaea is still striving to bring change to the world and a future of promise to the Jewish people. We are a global community of passionate Jews, empowered to lead both in Israel and America.
Join our thousands of alumni and become part of Young Judaea history!