Six Outstanding Teens from Across North America Elected to USY 2019 International Board

January 28, 2019 — In December 2018, six outstanding teens were elected as the 2019 International Executive Board for USY, USCJ’s youth movement. Chosen by hundreds of their peers at USY’s 68th International Convention in Orlando, FL, the six teenagers 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 creates 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 2019 USY International Executive Board is:

• President: Noa Kligfeld, Los Angeles, California, Temple Beth Am
• Israel Affairs VP: Samantha Brody, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Congregation Beth Judea
• Religion/Education VP: Shoshana Scheinberg, Hoboken, NJ, United Synagogue of Hoboken
• Social Action/Tikun Olam VP: Zachary Greenwald, Minnetonka, Minnesota, Adath Jeshurun Congregation
• Membership/Kadima VP: Caleb Posner, San Diego, California, Congregation Beth El
• Communications VP: Zach Wolfman, Dix Hills, New York, South Huntington Jewish Center

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 hope to spread inspiration and meaning-making, to support chapters and regional officers, to nurture the goals, ideas, and passion of the IEB, and to meet as many USYers as I can,” Noa noted. She is a second-generation USY International President; her father, Rabbi Adam Kligfeld of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles, California, also served as USY international President in 1990.

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.