USY Leadership Update

By: Rabbi Ilan Schwartz

Director of Leadership Development, USY

Over the past year, USY has shifted the way in which it delivers programs at the local level. Smaller communities have banded together to take the place of regions, led by community directors and supported by a variety of stakeholders. In doing so, the model for teen leadership has had to adapt as well, with the goal of creating new pathways to higher leadership. This process was led by USY President Ophir Filhart, with professional support from myself. We started this work together in September by listening to the needs and goals of current USY leaders, and using their feedback to update USY’s leadership structure and constitution. 

The updated constitution, which guides USY International leadership, has undergone a range of changes that will help USY teen leadership move forward efficiently and effectively. Less noticeable changes include simplified election process, requirements for holding and maintaining office, and other small governance changes. The most notable changes are the consolidation and renaming of positions on the USY International Executive Board, and the addition of the Teen Leadership Council. Details on these changes can be found here, in this convenient summary. Community directors are working with their local teen leaders and stakeholders to implement leadership opportunities that meet their goals and are aligned with their communities needs. All of these changes were ratified in March 2025 by the current USY leadership, and reflects multiple stages of their input and feedback. I am very proud of their hard work and leadership throughout the process.

In the coming weeks, many of you will have USYers who are running for office with the hope of leaving their stamp on those who will come after them. Whether teens lead in their chapter or as International President, USY needs teen leaders to help shape our current and future priorities, model Jewish values for their peers, and gain the skills they will need to take the helm of the communities they will live in later in life. If you have questions, or want to brainstorm ideas for teens leadership in your community, please feel free to connect with me directly at [email protected].