Young Judaea
Encyclopedia
Young Judaea is a peer-led Zionist youth movement
that runs programs throughout the United States
for Jewish youth in grades 2-12. In Hebrew, Young Judaea is called Yehudah Hatzair or is sometimes referred to as Hashachar, which means the dawn.
programs with an emphasis on social action and Jewish
identity. Young Judaea has 15 regions in the United States and is affiliated with the Federation of Zionist Youth
(United Kingdom
) and Tzofim (Israel). The age levels are Ofarim (Hebrew for "fawns;" grades 2-5), Tsofim ("scouts," grades 6-7), and Bogrim ("elders," grades 8-12). Young Judaea's university arm is YJ Impact (until 2007 called Hamagshimim).
of the organization, officially titled "Yehudah Hatzair Leumi Chukah", outlines the ideology and goals of the organization. Its main points include:
The National Mazkirut is elected at Young Judaea's National Mid-Winter Convention by a convention body consisting of Bogrim (9th-12th grade members of the movement). The national mazkirut serves for a one-year period.
The regional mazkirut level varies throughout the country- most regions contain at least five of the positions listed below.
The local, or club level also works differently throughout the country as there are many different clubs of different sizes, and often club mazkirut members fill multiple positions. Clubs will often have an adult advisor.
Until the mid-1970s, the regions were referred to using English language names. Currently the regions are referred to using Hebrew language names.
The five Mechavim are:
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{Great Plains}(North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missuori, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana), Ayelet Hashachar{Central States}(Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky), and Ruach B'Tzion{WPA}(Western Pennsylvania)
The Northeast Merchav contains Ya'ar Penn{EPA}(Eastern Pennsylvania), Empiria{Empire}(New York north of Bronx county and Fairfield County, Connecticut), Ganei Yehudah{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)
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. However, the National Hachshara Conference is open to all leaders in Young Judaea and runs parallel to National Summer Convention at Camp Tel Yehudah. It is a leadership training weekend. 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.
s for its members. Ofarim and Tsofim can attend one of four regional camps:
Bogrim attend Camp Tel Yehudah
, 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.
The Alumim age group includes 2 days of hiking, 1 day of rafting on the Delaware River, and a 1 day trip to Manhattan. The Yachad age group includes the choice of a 4 day kayaking, hiking, biking or volunteering trip in Manhattan. The Hadrachah age group goes to Washington DC for 4 days in a lobbying trip.
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 on the Young Judaea Year Course in Israel 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 also runs numerous other programs in Israel, including YJ Summer, a program for teens completing grades 9-12. The program includes various options with a focus on film and design, aquatics, peer leadership, and also includes the option of touring Italy as well. For college students and post-college graduates, Young Judaea offers Amirim, a summer program in Israel, spent volunteering in the country and experiencing Israeli life from within. A longer internship program, WUJS Israel, is also offered, with various options for interning in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Young Judaea members founded Kibbutz Ketura together with members of the Israeli scouts in 1973.
rallies and raising funds for victims of hurricane Katrina.
Young Judaea has raised nearly 30,000 dollars for various causes including Israeli organizations Hadassah Hospital, the Arava Institute and LATET. In 2005 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.
At conventions and summer programs shira (singing) usually takes place Friday night following Shabbat dinner, Saturday following lunch, before Havdallah (this is referred to as "Shira Shketa" or "quiet singing.") Many songs sung in Young Judaea can be found in the Young Judaea shiron (song book.) Following are examples of songs from the 1970s.
Zionist youth movement
A Zionist youth movement is an organization formed for Jewish children and adolescents for educational, social, and ideological development, including a belief in Jewish nationalism as represented in the State of Israel...
that runs programs throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for Jewish youth in grades 2-12. In Hebrew, Young Judaea is called Yehudah Hatzair or is sometimes referred to as Hashachar, which means the dawn.
History and organization
Founded in 1909, Young Judaea is a youth movement. Its programs include youth clubs, conventions, camps and IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
programs with an emphasis on social action and Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
identity. Young Judaea has 15 regions in the United States and is affiliated with the Federation of Zionist Youth
Federation of Zionist Youth
The Federation of Zionist Youth is a Zionist Jewish youth movement. Founded in 1910, it is the oldest and has grown to become the largest Zionist youth movement in the United Kingdom. It is affiliated with Young Judaea in the USA and the Hebrew Scouts movement in Israel...
(United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) and Tzofim (Israel). The age levels are Ofarim (Hebrew for "fawns;" grades 2-5), Tsofim ("scouts," grades 6-7), and Bogrim ("elders," grades 8-12). Young Judaea's university arm is YJ Impact (until 2007 called Hamagshimim).
Principles
All Young Judaea programs are centered around the movement's ideology. The charterCharter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
of the organization, officially titled "Yehudah Hatzair Leumi Chukah", outlines the ideology and goals of the organization. Its main points include:
- Young Judea is a politically non-partisan and religiously pluralistic organization.
- Young Judea is a Zionist youth movement, recognizes the state of IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as a central part of Jewish life and encourages both visiting and moving toAliyahAliyah is the immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel . It is a basic tenet of Zionist ideology. The opposite action, emigration from Israel, is referred to as yerida . The return to the Holy Land has been a Jewish aspiration since the Babylonian exile...
Israel. - As a Jewish youth movement, Young Judea stresses Jewish values, Jewish educationJewish educationJewish education is the transmission of the tenets, principles and religious laws of Judaism. Due to its emphasis on Torah study, many have commented that Judaism is characterised by "lifelong learning" that extends to adults as much as it does to children.-History:The tradition of Jewish...
, and the preservation of the identity of the Jewish people. - Social action is a part of both our Jewish and Zionist identities and as such Young Judea works to help Jews and others in need both local and worldwide.
- A cohesive community can be built regardless of religious and political affiliations.
Leadership
Young Judaea is a peer run organization with mazkiriyot (boards) of peer leaders on local, regional, and national levels.The National Mazkirut is elected at Young Judaea's National Mid-Winter Convention by a convention body consisting of Bogrim (9th-12th grade members of the movement). The national mazkirut serves for a one-year period.
The regional mazkirut level varies throughout the country- most regions contain at least five of the positions listed below.
The local, or club level also works differently throughout the country as there are many different clubs of different sizes, and often club mazkirut members fill multiple positions. Clubs will often have an adult advisor.
Young Judea leadership positions
- Mazkir or Mazkira. Literally - secretary. This position is president of the mazkirut.
- Merakez/et irgun v’guis chanichim Literally - organizational coordinator. This position is the administrative vice president (AVP) of the mazkirut. Responsibilities include finances, membership, and logistics for the national level and overseeing the regional AVPs.
- Artzit Literally - national. This position is responsible for communication with all the nation's mazkirim through the "va'ad arzit" (national committee). The national artzit also keeps communication with Young Judaea's sister movements, FZY in England and Tzofim in Israel.
This position was created in 2001. Prior to this time, communication with regions throughout the nation was via representatives from each merkhav.
- Merakzi chinuch Literally - Educational coordinators. These positions created educational programming for each of the different age groups. Prior to the mid-1990s there was one national coordinator for all of the age groups.
These positions exist on both a national and regional levels with the national level coordinators assisting the regional ones.- Bogrim. This position creates curriculum and activities for the Bogrim (8th-12th grade) age group. Responsibilities include programming for the Bogrim National Midwinter Convention.
- Ofarim/Tsofim. This position creates curriculum and activities for the Ofarim and Tsofim (2nd-7th grade) age group. Responsibilities include programming, encouraging members to attend Ofarim/Tsofim regional summer camps and encouraging continuing participation in Young Judea after finishing the Ofarim/Tsofim age level.
- Merakez/et tikkun olam Social Action Programmer (SAP). This position develops social action events and ensures that tikkun olamTikkun olamTikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world." In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam originated in the early rabbinic period...
values are built into all programs at the national level and regional levels. Their educational focus is defined by tikkun groups - different social action groups formed that are focused on 5 different issues (Threats to Israel, Pikuach Nefesh, Environmentalism, Human Rights, and Poverty). They also create volunteering opportunities for participants.
- Pirsum Literally - advertising. This position is responsible for publishing newsletters and informational documents for the movement. This includes the national newsletter, Kol Ha'Tnua, event promotion, web pages, and press releases.
Merchavim and Regions
Young Judaea is divided into five units, called Merchavim (the singular Merchav), which are titled according to their geographical location in the United States (including Puerto Rico). The Merchavim are subdivided into geographical regions. Each region is composed of clubs.Until the mid-1970s, the regions were referred to using English language names. Currently the regions are referred to using Hebrew language names.
The five Mechavim are:
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{Great Plains}(North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missuori, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana), Ayelet Hashachar{Central States}(Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky), and Ruach B'Tzion{WPA}(Western Pennsylvania)
The Northeast Merchav contains Ya'ar Penn{EPA}(Eastern Pennsylvania), Empiria{Empire}(New York north of Bronx county and Fairfield County, Connecticut), Ganei Yehudah{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)
Conventions
ConventionsConvention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
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. However, the National Hachshara Conference is open to all leaders in Young Judaea and runs parallel to National Summer Convention at Camp Tel Yehudah. It is a leadership training weekend. 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.
Summer Camps
Like many other youth movements, YJ operates summer campSummer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
s for its members. Ofarim and Tsofim can attend one of four regional camps:
- Camp Young Judaea Midwest in Waupaca, WI
- Camp Young Judaea Texas in Wimberley, TX
- Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake in Verbank, NY
- Camp Judaea in Hendersonville, NC
Bogrim attend Camp Tel Yehudah
Camp tel yehudah
Camp Tel Yehudah is the official national senior camp of Young Judaea, a Zionist youth group sponsored by Hadassah. It is located in Barryville, New York. It is for Jewish teenagers from ages 13–17 It is located on the banks of the Delaware River.There are two parts to camp, Aleph and Bet...
, 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.
The Alumim age group includes 2 days of hiking, 1 day of rafting on the Delaware River, and a 1 day trip to Manhattan. The Yachad age group includes the choice of a 4 day kayaking, hiking, biking or volunteering trip in Manhattan. The Hadrachah age group goes to Washington DC for 4 days in a lobbying trip.
Israel Programs
As 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 MachonMachon L'Madrichei Chutz La'Aretz
Machon L'Madrichei Chutz La'Aretz is a young leadership program in Israel for high school graduates from all over the world...
or Israel Discovery. Both programs include a Special Interest Week – for example, a desert trek, a stay on a kibbutz
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
or training with the Israeli army – and the option of spending an additional week exploring Jewish history in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
or Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. The Prague option, for example, is part of the Shorashim
Shorashim
Shorashim is a Hebrew word meaning roots which may refer to:* Shorashim, a village in the Galilee* Shorashim, a nonprofit organization devoted to building bridges between Jews in Israel and around the world....
(He:שורשים, roots), journey.
Recent high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
graduates can also apply to spend 9 months on the Young Judaea Year Course in Israel 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 also runs numerous other programs in Israel, including YJ Summer, a program for teens completing grades 9-12. The program includes various options with a focus on film and design, aquatics, peer leadership, and also includes the option of touring Italy as well. For college students and post-college graduates, Young Judaea offers Amirim, a summer program in Israel, spent volunteering in the country and experiencing Israeli life from within. A longer internship program, WUJS Israel, is also offered, with various options for interning in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Young Judaea members founded Kibbutz Ketura together with members of the Israeli scouts in 1973.
Social Activism
Young Judaea has been active in social action projects including involvement in bringing constituencies to DarfurDarfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur...
rallies and raising funds for victims of hurricane Katrina.
Young Judaea has raised nearly 30,000 dollars for various causes including Israeli organizations Hadassah Hospital, the Arava Institute and LATET. In 2005 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.
Songs
Singing is a large part of Young Judaea camps around America. The official song of Young Judaea is "Ani v'Ata" by Arik Einstein.At conventions and summer programs shira (singing) usually takes place Friday night following Shabbat dinner, Saturday following lunch, before Havdallah (this is referred to as "Shira Shketa" or "quiet singing.") Many songs sung in Young Judaea can be found in the Young Judaea shiron (song book.) Following are examples of songs from the 1970s.
Yehudah, Yehudah, Yehudah Hatzair. / We don't smoke cigarettes, and we don't drink no beer. / We like ice cream, and we like ice cream cones. / We like bananas, 'cause they don't have no bones.
Forward together, we're building Young Judaea / Hand in hand we'll proudly sing our cheer. / Ruach shall lead us, surging forever forward / Love of Zion lives throughout the years. / We stand ready to serve, each in his own way. / Eretz Yisrael, and the USA. / Shout out our praises, long let our voices ring / Young Judaea, now we cast our lots / Always our spirit serves as an inspiration, / Young Judaea, Chazak, v'Amatz, Judaea is the tops!
I am, you are, we are, Hashachar.
We've got ruach, for every chaver tnu'ah
Singing, dancing, even romancing
But our whole spiel, is that we all love our Israel
Israel, Israel, we all love our Israel
Tsuris Naches, we've got tachlis