USY (United Synagogue Youth) is a conservative Jewish youth group for High School students. BSO’s USY chapter has consistently achieved the highest quality of programming for which they have received many awards. Our many programs include social, religious, tzedakah and social actions, as well as sports. In the past we’ve gone bowling, played lasertag, organized a food drive, held Shabbat dinners, helped out when needed at synagogue events, had overnights, and continue to participate in the winter Regional USY Basketball League. There are Regional Dances and three Regional Conventions that bring extra spice to the whole USY experience. BSO USY has two to three programs each month and we are always looking for new people with new ideas.

USY (United Synagogue Youth) was founded in 1951 in Midwest by a group of Jewish teens who were interested in starting a Jewish conservative youth movement. USY is the official high-school aged youth organization of the Conservative Movement and is sponsored by United Synagogue. This, in turn means that USY is a Conservative Youth group and our Chapters exist in United Synagogue affiliated congregations. Although the organization began with only a few chapters, it has grown to an international organization with thousands of involved high school aged members!

There are three main levels of USY. There are chapter, regional and international levels. Each chapter recruits their own new members and elects a chapter board that keeps the chapter's activities running smoothly. Here, leaders are trained and responsibilities are divided. Chapters in one area together make up one of 17 regions. Each region has many programs designed to bring members from different chapters within each region together. International USY is the last part. All 17 regions unite annually, at International Convention.

International USY also offers amazing summer, semester, and year-long programs. We run trips to Israel & Europe, Cross Country Bus Tours, Camping Trips, High School in Israel, and a Study Program in NYC at Barnard University and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

B’nai Shalom of Olney USY is a member of the Seaboard Region of USY. The Seaboard Region is made up of Maryland, DC, Virginia, and parts of North Carolina.

Our 2005-2006 USY Board

President
Samara Mizrachi

Programming Vice President
Kara Mazie

Social Actions/Tikun Olam Co-Vice Presidents
Jayme Engel

Religious Education/Israel Affairs Vice President
Josh Parel

Membership/Kadima Outreach Vice President
Ariela Pohl

Communications Vice President
Lauren Rosenthal

Feel free to contact Adam Zerenat (301) 774-0879 or at bsoyouth@bnaishalomofolney.org for questions and more information.

Kadima (grades 6-8)
Advisor – Adam Zeren

Kadima is the middle school age affiliate of United Synagogue Youth and The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. We hold one to two events per month and they range from Shabbat dinners and services to social outings such as lasertag and bowling, to community service and tzedakah programs. In addition, there are also Regional events such as Kadima Saturday Night Live and Kadima Kallah. Feel free to contact Adam Zeren at (301) 774-0879 or at bsoyouth@bnaishalomofolney.org for questions and more information.

Machar (grades 3-5)
Advisor – Jan and Gary Guttman

Machar meets about once a month and always draws a crowd. Some of our past events include a hayride and bonfire, Hamentashen bake, games night, and decorating and filling boxes to be sent to our congregation’s college students.

Bonim (grades K-2)
Advisor – Eve Margol & Heidi Cohen

Bonim meets about once a month – everyone loves Bonim! Some of our past events have been bowling, Bingo with Bubbe and Zede, Making Care Packages for Soldiers.

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Regional Convention Scholarship Forms