Reuniting 60 years of METNY USY
with a special presentation to Bruce Varon & celebrating the establishment of the Bob Perla Memorial Youth Fund
The name
Bruce Varon and the initials USY go hand in hand. Bruce has worked for United Synagogue Youth as the Divisional Director of Youth Activities (Koach Division) for the past 28 years. He is also the Program Director for USY Encampment at the end of the summer at Camp Ramah - - where he met his wife, Linda, when they were staff members. They have been married for 29 years and have two sons. Bruce and his family are active members of the Orangetown Jewish Center.
Bruce served on the Board of Trustees at Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School (“RGHDS”) where his sons went to school from 1993-2003. At RGHDS, he also held numerous Board positions including Vice President of Enrollment and Synagogue & Community Relations Coordinator. In addition, Bruce has been extremely involved with Jawonio, a community resource for children and adults with disabilities and special needs, for over 17 years.
It’s obvious to anyone who knows him that Bruce has a love for working with kids and he feels that he can add something to their lives through his involvement with them. We are grateful for all of his hard work and dedication to USCJ and honored to acknowledge Bruce at this USY 60th anniversary alumni event.
Bob Perla z"l was a beloved and widely respected family man – a father, grandfather, friend and leader in the Conservative Jewish community. Along with his wife Joy, who served as Assistant Director of METNY United Synagogue, Bob was a leader and builder of multiple synagogues and chavurot. Bob was also and a student and teacher of Hebrew, Tanak’h, and Jewish and Israeli history and culture. A man of humor, fairness and kindness who devoted his life to tikkun olam, Bob’s love of Israel and the Jewish community was matched only by his love of family. And, of course, Bob was proud to serve for many years as the umpire of the annual METNY USY Encampment softball game. This fund was started by Bob’s family and friends to allow all Jewish teens the opportunity to become vibrant members of the community that Bob loved so much.
