The celebration of USY comes “home” to the Twin Cities of Minnesota, whose EMTZA region is the birthplace of USY. As we honor our past, we will pay tribute to the synagogues that were involved in forming USY and helped it flourish in the Twin Cities: Adath Jeshurun Congregation (including the former B’nai Emet Synagogue), Beth El Synagogue, Beth Jacob and Temple of Aaron – as well as their rabbis. We will also recognize Rabbi Kassel E. Abelson, Rabbi Emeritus of Beth El and past president of the Rabbinical Assembly, who was instrumental in the formation of USY. Other Twin Cities rabbis have devoted themselves over the past sixty plus years to make USY a significant influence in the lives of thousands of Jewish teens, including Rabbi David Aronson, z”l; Rabbi Herman M. Cohen, z”l; Rabbi Morris Gordon, z”l and Rabbi Bernard S. Raskas, z”l. Through the USY Founders Fund, more of our youth will have the opportunity to participate in USY's transformative programs, including regional conventions, summer programs such as USY on Wheels and Israel Pilgrimage, and Nativ, a year-long program in Israel for recent high school graduates.
Honoring Jackie Saltz
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2011
7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Location: Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine
3777 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, California 92122
Contact: Wendy Glick at 646-519-9260
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event! Please visit our "Media and Memories" tab to view photos. If you would like to contribute to the fund, please click here.
Jackie Saltz, together with a small volunteer committee, launched Project Reconnect in 2002 as a vehicle to reengage alumni from all youth and young adult programs of the Conservative movement. Through Project Reconnect, Jackie has reunited alumni from across the movement throughout North America and Israel concentrating particularly on USY, the heart and soul of her vision. Her tireless work and devotion has been invaluable as we commence the formation of United Synagogue’s Alumni Association. Jackie has strong ties to USY and USCJ in both professional and volunteer roles. She was a synagogue chapter Youth Director and worked on United Synagogue’s staff as a Regional Youth Director. Later, Jackie became Chair of the Regional Youth Commission and the first female President of United Synagogue’s Pacific Southwest Region, and continues to serve on United Synagogue’s Board of Directors. This fund, established in Jackie’s name, will provide much-needed support for USY on Wheels, Pilgrimage summer programs and future programs for USYers and USY alumni which are close to Jackie’s heart.
This event will take place Saturday, December 3rd, from 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. The evening will include a dinner reception, award presentation, concert and dessert reception. The dress is cocktail attire.
To make a reservation at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine and take advantage of our discounted rate, please click here.
Reuniting 60 years of METNY USY
with a special presentation to Bruce Varon & celebrating
the establishment of the Bob Perla Memorial Youth Fund
Date: Sunday, November 20, 2011
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Citi Field
Flushing, New York 11368
Contact: Wendy Glick at 646-519-9260
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event! Please visit our "Media and Memories" tab to view photos. If you would like to contribute to the fund, please click here.
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 Perlaz"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.
Honoring Jules A. Gutin: An evening celebrating learning, mentoring and friendship.
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2011
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Location: Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe
100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666-6702
Contact: Wendy Glick at 646-519-9260
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event! Please visit our "Media and Memories" tab to view photos. If you would like to contribute to the fund, please click here.
Jules Gutin, USY and Kadima’s International Director for 20 years, is well-known for his leadership, creativity and ability to connect with our teenagers. USY and Kadima alumni throughout the world regard him as their mentor, citing his influence in their choices and successes achieved in their adult lives. To continue the spirit of the teaching and mentoring provided to the thousands of USYers guided by Jules, this fund will provide ongoing leadership training to Jewish teens, USY advisors and youth directors throughout North America and Israel.
To make a reservation at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe and take advantage of our discounted rate, please click here.
Honoring Danny Siegel
Date: November, 2012
Location:Various USY Conventions and Communities
Contact: Wendy Glick at 646-519-9260
Danny Siegel was USY’s International President in 1962. He became one of the world’s foremost experts in microphilanthropy and through his tireless teachings Danny has modeled Jewish philanthropy for generations of teenagers. From 1981, when he created it, to 2009, when he closed it, Danny was the heart and soul of the Ziv Tzedakah fund. He is also a poet as well as the author of many works of prose.
The USY Alumni Association is proud to present “Mitzvah Hero Month” in honor of Danny Siegel. This November, we are proud to celebrate Danny Siegel for his dedication to tzedekah and mitzvot, unwavering advocacy and for being a great dugma to the Jewish community. This Social Action/Tikkun Olam program named for Danny will help train Jewish teens in the practical and ethical dimensions of social action work.
There is no better way to pay tribute to Danny than by “paying it forward” with Tikkun Olam - - repairing the world. We welcome USYers, synagogues and the Conservative Jewish community to engage in Tikun Olam and social action projects during the month of November and beyond.
Resources and materials for mitzvah ideas, works written by Danny Siegel, please see below. The literature, educational materials and projects were generously created and provided by Danny Siegel, Melinda Kieffer and the USY Youth Department.
Be sure to take photos of your mitzvot in action! Send the mitzvah pledge card (link is below) to alumni@uscj.org or c/o USY Alumni Association, 820 Second Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
For questions and more information, please email us at alumni@uscj.org.
If you wish to obtain authorized copies of poems written by Danny Siegel, please email him directly at siegelz@aol.com or Arnie Draiman at ajdraiman@gmail.com. Please note, works cannot be duplicated and distributed without permission from Danny Siegel.
USY Great Memory Hunt! We at USY60 headquarters are on the hunt for photos & videos depicting USYers & alumni over the years caught in the act of participating in USY. If you have photos or videos to share, please email us at alumni@uscj.org.
Calling all USY lovebirds! Did you marry or plan to marry a USY sweetheart? If so, share your stories and photos! How did you meet? What role did USY play in your romance? Were USYers guests at your wedding? Are your children involved in USY today? In honor of USY's 60th anniversary, let's find out how many marriages and new USYers were produced. Please send stories to alumni@uscj.org.
How has USY changed your life? Was it the friendships made? Places visited on Wheels? Greater appreciation for Judaism? Where did your USY journey lead you? To post your story on the Facebook group click here.
Honoring Jackie Saltz