What an incredible year for YJ Teens! During one of the most difficult years for the Jewish community, YJ Teens rose to the occasion - gathering, growing and meeting the moment. In the Young Judaea way, YJ Teens created opportunities for critical thinking, deep feeling, and Jewish joy - sometimes all at the same time.
There were increased numbers of teens in places where YJ Teens has roots, and new programs in places where YJ Teens is just beginning its regrowth. Read on to learn more about this past year, and about our vision and plans for the year just around the corner!
Read Reflections from YJ Teens Leadership Here
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- 545 teens attended YJ Teens programs in 2023-2024, up from 340 in '22-'23!
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More events in more cities than we've had in years: New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Northern New Jersey, and more! Want to see your city on this list? Reach out and let's make it happen!
- Reigniting of YJ Teens in new areas, driven by teen leaders (looking at you LA and Atlanta!)
- Held the biggest National Convention in over 7 years, with nearly 100 teens from across the country and Israel in attendance!
- YJ Teens represented on the National stage at the Z3 Project Conference, the Student March on DC, the Israel Parade in NYC, and more.
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Words from a NJ iTeen Summit Participant:
"This is the type of event that will teach us more, but I think the most important part is the connection between all of us to understand that we're not alone."
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YJ Teens National
The National Mazkirut elevated the National programming this year following October 7 by offering regularly scheduled Zoom processing calls, an emergency Asepha to refocus on Israel, and the largest National Convention in almost a decade. National programming also included partnership opportunities with organizations like One2One for encounter with Israeli teens, For the Sake of Argument, and Hillel International.
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Words from Jonny Jentis, 2023-2024 National Mazkir:
"Despite the tumultuous world we were thrust into, I can only think of how proud I am of everything National Maz and I have accomplished. From running one of the largest National Conventions in years, to kickstarting involvement across the country in areas we haven’t been able to reach for years, this year has been more than anything I could have imagined."
More Reflections from YJ Teens Leadership Here
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Thank you to the outgoing National Mazkirut!
A big thank you to Jonny Jentis, Sari Goodman, Ilan Greenberg, Dora Stodolsky, Leo Wilchfort, and Noah Volkman for a great year!
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YJ Teens Northeast
Under the leadership of the Northeast Mazkirut, the Northeast held a year full of programs, including a summer-in-winter Havdalah, a Purim overnight, the year culminating in a robust Northeast Convention. Brand new this year, the Northeast also hosted the first-ever NJ iTeen Summit, an immersive, day-long Israel community-wide Israel conference for teens, with over 30 educational and community partners.
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YJ Teens Midwest
One of the longest continuous sites of local YJ Teens programming, the Midwest, is home to robust programming in Pittsburgh and Chicago. From Sukkot Hops, to the Honey sale, an end of the year picnic, and a sold out Midwest Convention, events across the region were thoughtful, engaging and meaningful.
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YJ Teens Texas
YJ Teens Texas continued to build upon programming kicked off only one year prior, primarily in four cities: San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston. Texas will be represented on the National Mazkirut in the coming year, and will expand its events with a regional convention.
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YJ Teens Southeast
This year, two teen leaders reignited YJ Teens Southeast programming with three spring events in the Atlanta area. Though a rained out pool party could have been a slog, they quickly pivoted for an exciting board game tournament! They have built a full Mazkirut for next year to kick off planning in the fall.
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YJ Teens West
Inspired by a desire to bring Jewish teens together, YJ Teens West had its first event in likely more than a decade, spearheaded by a teen hosting Shabbat dinner at her home. YJ Teens West held a pool party to close out the year, and has gathered a full Mazkirut to lead a new generation on the West Coast!
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Locations and Registration Coming Soon!
National Convention: January 17-20
Texas Convention: February 7-9
Midwest Convention: March 6-9
Northeast Convention: April 3-6
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Igniting the Spark:
A Year in Review from the Director of Teen Education, Erica Cohen!
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To support the expansion of YJ Teens across the country consider making a gift to Young Judaea! | |
This special edition newsletter was sent to the entire YJ email list.
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