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Haven Young (haven-young) - Profile on NLP Connections nlpconnections.com | Peter Young, DDS -- Dr. Peter Young Premier Dental Esthetics peteryoungdds.com |
Young Judaea is a peer-led Zionist youth movement of Hadassah. It runs programs throughout the United States for Jewish youth in grades 3-12. In Hebrew, Young Judaea is called Yehudah Hatzair or is sometimes referred to as Hashachar, which means the dawn.
[edit] History and organizationFounded in 1909, Young Judaea is the youth movement of Hadassah. Its programs include youth clubs, conventions, camps and Israel programs with an emphasis on social action and Jewish identity. A typical event is 2-3 hours and includes socializing, icebreakers, a peulah (educational or social activity) and sikkum (discussion), and Israel Update. Young Judaea has 15 regions in the United States and is affiliated with the Federation of Zionist Youth (United Kingdom) and Tsofim (Israel). The age levels are Ofarim (Hebrew for "fawns;" grades 2-5), Tsofim ("scouts," grades 6-8), and Bogrim ("elders," grades 8-12). Young Judaea's university arm is YJ Impact (until 2007 called Hamagshimim).[1] [edit] Merchavim and RegionsTraditionally, Young Judaea has been divided into different geographical regions throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico). These regions are also lumped together into 5 units, called Merchavim, which are titled according to their geographical location in America: The Southeast Merchav [also known as "Boom Boom"] contains G'lil Yam (North Carolina (minus Hendersonville and Asheville), Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia), Or Hadarom (Florida (minus Panhandle), Puerto Rico), and Lev Hadarom (GA, AL, MS, TN, SC, AR, Eastern Louisiana, Florida Panhandle, Western North Carolina) The Southwest Merchav is a single region, Ookaf Hadarom (Texas, Oklahoma, Western Louisiana) The West Merchav contains Chagurat Hashemesh (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana), Ruach Hama'arav (Nevada, California), and Yoreh (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) The Midwest Merchav is composed of Pneinu Artza(North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missuori, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana), Ayelet Hashachar{Midwest}(Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky), and Ruach B'Tzion{WPA}(Western Pennsylvania) The Northeast Merchav contains Ya'ar Penn{EPA}(Eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey), Empiria{Empire}(New York State and Fairfield County, Connecticut), Ganei Yehudah{NJ or New Jersey}(Northern New Jersey), Eeyey Tsiyon{LINYC or LI/NYC}(Long Island/New York City), and Uri Tsafon{NE or New England}(Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut) Before the regions switched their names to Hebrew names in the mid-1970s, all the regions had English versions of their names. Each region is ideally composed of clubs that met weekly. The clubs an exec of peers, president, vice-president, programmer, and perhaps secretary and treasurer. There was an adult advisor who helped plan the meetings with the members, and for general trouble-shooting when needed. [edit] Current Young JudaeaThe Current Young Judaea National Board: Joel Srebrenick: Mazkir Young Judaea has raised nearly 30,000 dollars for various causes such as Hadassah Hospital, The Arava Institute and LATET - all Israeli organizations. Young Judaea has also been extremely active in social action projects, bringing large constituencies to various Darfur rallies, and even starting its own fund for Katrina victims. In 2004 after Hurricane Katrina hit, Young Judaea embarked on a program called Caravan 4 Katrina, where two truckloads of food, toys, and clothes were collected and delivered to Katrina victims in Louisiana. [edit] PrinciplesAll Young Judaea programs are centered around the movements ideology. The ideology is outlined in the Chukah (constitution). [edit] Yehudah Hatzair Leumi ChukahVISION: We, the members of Yehudah Hatzair, a politically non-partisan, religiously pluralistic, peer-led, Zionist youth movement*, envision a strong, vibrant, and secure Medinat Yisrael. We strive to unite Am Yisrael physically, culturally, and spiritually by strengthening it through aliyah, an ideal for which we strive, and the active support of an educated, empowered youth.
We, the members of Yehudah Hatzair, affirm that the basis for our t'nua is a commitment toward action using the following pillars: ZIONISM: Yehudah Hatzair regards the support of and the education about Medinat Yisrael as its goals. Programs regarding Israeli current events and stressing the importance of Medinat Yisrael as a national homeland for the Jewish people are implemented in the movement. Yehudah Hatzair recognizes Medinat Yisrael as a central part of Jewish life. We encourage both visiting Israel and making Aliyah. SOCIAL ACTION: Social action is a part of both our Jewish and Zionist identities. Yehudah Hatzair works to help Jews and others in need, aid Jewish communities both local and worldwide, protect human rights everywhere, actively strengthen Medinat Yisrael, and strive to form a better world. Yehudah Hatzair will take stands on issues that it feels are important based upon the basic principles of the movement. PLURALISM: Yehudah Hatzair firmly believes that all chevre t'nua, regardless of religious and political affiliations, can join together in one cohesive community. We accept that differences make our t'nua stronger. No chaver/a t'nua will be forced to surrender any beliefs unless these directly conflict with principles of the t'nua. PEER LEADERSHIP: Yehudah Hatzair embraces a peer-led democracy as its method of leadership to be used whenever possible. JEWISH IDENTITY: As a Jewish youth movement, Yehudah Hatzair stresses the unity of the Jewish people, the individual development through Jewish values, a comprehensive Jewish and Hebrew education, and the preservation of the identity of the Jewish people. We do so through Jewish spiritual, cultural, and educational activities. Amending The Chukah: This chukah is meant to be a document which stands the test of time and holds validity for every member of the t’nua. Therefore the following process will be used to change this chukah: - An amendment to this chukah must pass with a 2/3 majority of an Asepha body at two consecutive national conventions in order to officially pass. It will go into effect immediately after the second convention. - If an amendment does not pass, it can be raised again at the following national convention but will still require a 2/3 majority vote at two consecutive conventions. [edit] Programs[edit] ConventionsConventions are central to the Young Judaea experience. They fall into two categories: Merchav/Regional, and National. Merchav/Regional Conventions are organized by the local Regional/Merchav Mazkirut, they are held in fall and spring; some regions have a social action convention as well. Typical convention programming features educational workshops called sadnaot, educational activities called peulot, prayers, and plenty of chofesh (free time) for socializing. The largest convention of the year, the National Midwinter convention takes place every year during President's Day weekend. It is open to all members of the movement, unlike the National Summer Convention which is held in mid-August at Camp Tel Yehudah and only open to Mazkirut members. At the Midwinter Convention the movement elects a new National Mazkirut and makes amendments to the Chukah. Additionally, at the Midwinter Convention a voting slate is created that has possible lobbying options for the movement to consider at another time. On the most recent lobbying slate the topics included environmentalism, stem cell research, the Iranian nuclear program, and human trafficking. Also appearing at this convention was an Israeli DJ group by the name of Soulico. They played for an audience of over 400 people. [edit] Summer CampsLike many other youth movements, YJ operates summer camps for its members. Ofarim and Tsofim can attend one of five regional camps:
Bogrim attend Camp Tel Yehudah[2], the National Leadership Camp in Barryville, NY. Programs there include Alumim (Jewish/Israeli history for entering 9th graders), Yachad (community building and social action for entering 10th graders), and Hadracha (leadership and activism for entering 11th graders). All camp sessions are three and a half weeks long.
[edit] Israel ProgramsAs a Zionist movement, Israel trips are a crucial part of the Young Judaea experience. Youth entering 10-12th grade can spend six weeks in Israel through Machon or Israel Discovery. Both programs include a Special Interest Week – for example, a desert trek, a stay on a kibbutz or training with the Israeli army – and the option of spending an additional week exploring Jewish history in Spain or Prague. The Prague option, for example, is part of the Shorashim (He:שורשים, roots), journey. Recent high school graduates can also apply to spend 9 months in Israel on the Year Course program. Young Judaeans participating in Young Judaea Year Course may be able to transfer their year in Israel for college credits. The basic Year Course program is broken up into time sections spent in Jerusalem, Community Volunteering, and Israeli Experience. Young Judaea Year Course differentiates itself from most other movement freshman year abroad programs by immersing participants in Israeli life. Participants are encouraged to become part of Israeli society for their year in Israel. There are also many specialty tracks catering to participants' hobbies or interests. A few examples include Sports, Medical, Arts, and a new Business track. Also available are religious-centered tracks (Shevet and Shalem) and travel-intensive tracks (Olami). Young Judaea members founded Kibbutz Ketura together with members of the Israeli scouts in 1973. [3] [edit] SongsSinging is a large part of Young Judaea camps around America. Following are examples of songs from the 1970s.
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