As you may be aware, the current war in Israel has brought immense challenges and uncertainties for its citizens. Despite the perils of war, a group of 65 dedicated Year Course participants made the courageous decision to stay in Israel and lend a helping hand to those affected by the crisis. These incredible young people have relocated to Kibbutz Ketura, where they are volunteering in many different ways to help Israelis in need at this time. Whether unpacking and sorting donations, cleaning and preparing for families who are taking refuge at the kibbutz and playing with their children, working in the fields to replace workers called to military service or engaging in meaningful learning at the Arava Institute (located at Ketura), we are proud of our Judaeans who have not hesitated to give of their time, energy and heart. The remaining 115 Year Course participants are currently taking a break and spending time in Europe or the US. It is our hope that everyone will reunite again soon.

Young Judaea (YJ) is starting to work on some light programming for the families back in the US, including a possible partnership with Repair the World and YJ summer camps, which are creating internships and other programs with the goal to create internships and other programming.

We are incredibly proud of our YJ college students on campus who are speaking out in support of Israel, including Sam Ben Ur, a 2020-21 Year Course alumnus who penned a powerful NY Times letter addressing the lack of the support of Jewish students by college administrators across the country, and other year coursers who have published op-eds in the Times of Israel. Many also organize or participate in rallies, speaking out against harmful anti-Zionist and anti-Israel propaganda.

Please read the touching statement from the Young Judaea Mazkirut (teen leadership board), as well as an address from National Mazkir, Jonny Jentis, during the community-wide Havdalah Zoom event on October 14.

As you may be aware, the current war in Israel has brought immense challenges and uncertainties for its citizens. Despite the perils of war, a group of 65 dedicated Year Course participants made the courageous decision to stay in Israel and lend a helping hand to those affected by the crisis. These incredible young people have relocated to Kibbutz Ketura, where they are volunteering in many different ways to help Israelis in need at this time. Whether unpacking and sorting donations, cleaning and preparing for families who are taking refuge at the kibbutz and playing with their children, working in the fields to replace workers called to military service or engaging in meaningful learning at the Arava Institute (located at Ketura), we are proud of our Judaeans who have not hesitated to give of their time, energy and heart. The remaining 115 Year Course participants are currently taking a break and spending time in Europe or the US. It is our hope that everyone will reunite again soon.

Young Judaea (YJ) is starting to work on some light programming for the families back in the US, including a possible partnership with Repair the World and YJ summer camps, which are creating internships and other programs with the goal to create internships and other programming.

We are incredibly proud of our YJ college students on campus who are speaking out in support of Israel, including Sam Ben Ur, a 2020-21 Year Course alumnus who penned a powerful NY Times letter addressing the lack of the support of Jewish students by college administrators across the country, and other year coursers who have published op-eds in the Times of Israel. Many also organize or participate in rallies, speaking out against harmful anti-Zionist and anti-Israel propaganda.

Please read the touching statement from the Young Judaea Mazkirut (teen leadership board), as well as an address from National Mazkir, Jonny Jentis, during the community-wide Havdalah Zoom event on October 14.

This year, over 3,000 Young Judaea (YJ) campers and staff experienced an incredible summer at YJ's seven day and overnight camps. For more than 70 years, YJ camps have offered the ultimate Jewish summer camping experience. It's no wonder the chanichim (campers) keep coming back summer after summer!

At Hadassah, we're committed to developing a connection to Jewish life and Israel. By providing thousands of youth and young adults with enriching experiences that last a lifetime and through our support of YJ — at summer camps, Israel programs, year-round activities and volunteer experiences — we're shaping the future leaders of tomorrow and ensuring Jewish continuity.

Hadassah is grateful to supporters like you who came through with much-needed funds for YJ scholarships so deserving youth could have an impactful and memorable summer camp experience. This summer, Hadassah distributed $86,000 in scholarship funds between the camps. We hope to get even more kids to camp next year.

This year, over 3,000 Young Judaea (YJ) campers and staff experienced an incredible summer at YJ's seven day and overnight camps. For more than 70 years, YJ camps have offered the ultimate Jewish summer camping experience. It's no wonder the chanichim (campers) keep coming back summer after summer!

At Hadassah, we're committed to developing a connection to Jewish life and Israel. By providing thousands of youth and young adults with enriching experiences that last a lifetime and through our support of YJ — at summer camps, Israel programs, year-round activities and volunteer experiences — we're shaping the future leaders of tomorrow and ensuring Jewish continuity.

Hadassah is grateful to supporters like you who came through with much-needed funds for YJ scholarships so deserving youth could have an impactful and memorable summer camp experience. This summer, Hadassah distributed $86,000 in scholarship funds between the camps. We hope to get even more kids to camp next year.

Camp Tel Yehudah (TY), Young Judaea's national teen leadership camp located in Barryville, NY, celebrated 75 years in August. At the Back to TY festival, alumni and friends reunited and reminisced, sang and danced, and laughed and cried. They gathered for shichva time (by decades) and reflected on old memories. They heard from camp and YJ leadership about how the TY experience is crafted to meet the needs of teens today. They learned what has evolved through the years and what has remained. Alumni led optional workshops about a variety of topics. To close the event, the headliner, singer David Broza, captivated the crowd with his timeless classics and talented guitar skills. See here Barbara Spack, Judy Shereck and Greta Rothschild working at the Hadassah booth in theshuk (market).

Camp Tel Yehudah (TY), Young Judaea's national teen leadership camp located in Barryville, NY, celebrated 75 years in August. At the Back to TY festival, alumni and friends reunited and reminisced, sang and danced, and laughed and cried. They gathered for shichva time (by decades) and reflected on old memories. They heard from camp and YJ leadership about how the TY experience is crafted to meet the needs of teens today. They learned what has evolved through the years and what has remained. Alumni led optional workshops about a variety of topics. To close the event, the headliner, singer David Broza, captivated the crowd with his timeless classics and talented guitar skills. See here Barbara Spack, Judy Shereck and Greta Rothschild working at the Hadassah booth in theshuk (market).

In July, Claire Eisenstadt of Northbrook, IL, Marissa Bishop of Houston, TX, and Mia Finestone of San Rafael, CA, Hadassah's 2023 Leaders of Tomorrow award recipients, experienced the opportunity of a lifetime through Gesher's summer Israel program. From discovering Israel and connecting to the land and the people to making new friendships, Gesher offered the rising high school seniors an unforgettable summer. "I never could have imagined a July as magical as my one on Gesher 2023," said Mia. "This summer, I learned more than I thought was possible .... The knowledge that Hadassah was helping me learn and grow as a Jew and a Zionist made me even more proud of the fact that I was in Israel and more grateful that I had the opportunity to experience everything Gesher has to offer," she continued.

For more information about YJ, to make a gift to YJ or the YJ scholarship program, or to arrange for a YJ fundraising event or program in your region or chapter, please contact Greta Rothschild, national Young Judaea chair, at grothschild@hadassah.org.

In July, Claire Eisenstadt of Northbrook, IL, Marissa Bishop of Houston, TX, and Mia Finestone of San Rafael, CA, Hadassah's 2023 Leaders of Tomorrow award recipients, experienced the opportunity of a lifetime through Gesher's summer Israel program. From discovering Israel and connecting to the land and the people to making new friendships, Gesher offered the rising high school seniors an unforgettable summer. "I never could have imagined a July as magical as my one on Gesher 2023," said Mia. "This summer, I learned more than I thought was possible .... The knowledge that Hadassah was helping me learn and grow as a Jew and a Zionist made me even more proud of the fact that I was in Israel and more grateful that I had the opportunity to experience everything Gesher has to offer," she continued.

For more information about YJ, to make a gift to YJ or the YJ scholarship program, or to arrange for a YJ fundraising event or program in your region or chapter, please contact Greta Rothschild, national Young Judaea chair, at grothschild@hadassah.org.

Stay tuned for details about the 2nd Annual Hadassah/YJ Day of Learning in Action in 2024.

Stay tuned for details about the 2nd Annual Hadassah/YJ Day of Learning in Action in 2024.