New teen board to shape future of youth movement
January 4, 2018—Last week, six outstanding teens were elected as the 2018 International Executive Board for USY, USCJ’s youth movement. Chosen by hundreds of their peers at USY’s 67th International Convention in Chicago, IL, the six will help impart meaningful Jewish experiences and values to thousands of North American teens over the coming year.
The board includes the President, who represents USY at several Jewish events around the world; an Israel Affairs VP, who helps foster a love of and leads advocacy efforts for Israel; a Religious
Education VP, who crafts engaging educational programming; a Social Action/Tikun Olam VP, who directs thousands of USYers’ social action and tzedekah (charity) efforts; a Membership/Kadima VP, who helps grow membership of teens ages 13-18; and a Communications VP who spreads the organization’s message both internally and externally.
The 2018 USY International Executive Board is:
In order to run for international board, candidates must submit a letter of intention as well as a petition signed by at least 100 USYers representing five or more USY chapters or 20% of the teens
in their respective region. All of the teens elected to this year’s board have previously served in numerous leadership positions both regionally and in their home synagogues. Additionally they are
all actively involved in Conservative Jewish life, having attended AIPAC conferences, Ramah camps, and winning different awards for excellence in their communities.
“I’m hoping to really engage, empower and inspire USYers,” said 2018 International President Zachary Zabib. “I’ve always found USY to be a place of growth…it gave me the freedom to explore
my identity, heritage, [and] try out different friend groups,” he continued, concluding, “I think that the work we do here is sacred to continuing the movement.”
“These six officers, and all of the candidates who ran for leadership positions, are passionate, dedicated teens who inspire both their peers and the entire USCJ community. We are excited to
develop and nurture their talents over the coming year to build a strong Jewish future,” said Leslie Lichter, Chief Innovation and Implementation Officer for USCJ.
For more than 50 years USY has helped shape young leaders on the international, regional, and local level who go on to become leaders in both the Conservative movement and their larger
communities. Former International Presidents include Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles and a member of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and David Stern, Hollywood screenwriter and producer.
About USY
USY is USCJ’s youth movement for Conservative Jewish teens across North America. For more than 60 years, USY has taught young Jews the values and skills they need to become exceptional
leaders in their religious and secular communities. USY empowers youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish People, and a commitment to inspired Jewish
living through meaningful and fun experiences rooted in Conservative Judaism’s approach to learning, spiritual expression, and social responsibility. Through year round programming and
domestic and international travel opportunities, USY inspires in teens a deep sense of pride in and love for their Jewish identity.
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