Changes at Young Judaea

“You may have seen reports in the press regarding changes underway in Young Judaea. You may even have seen a notice on Facebook purporting to be an “obituary” for YJ. Since I know how much you care about Young Judaea, and since some of the published reports are very misleading, I want to share with you what is actually taking place.

This week, there was a restructuring in Young Judaea involving budget cuts and significant staff layoffs. This is a painful and difficult week for the staff; a time of uncertainty for Movement members; an occasion for concern among supporters and alumni. This is occurring in the context of a similar reorganization throughout Hadassah, Young Judaea’s generous sole sponsor since 1967, which is occasioned, in part, by the serious financial challenges that the hostile economy poses for many non-profits.

One of the significant features of the reorganization is that Young Judaea will need to rely on the leadership of its Mazkirut (officers) and other youth leaders, and on the support of adult volunteers, especially parents, alumni and the women of Hadassah, for the continued operation of its local and regional year-round programs. I view this as a challenge, but also as an opportunity to return to YJ’s roots as a peer-led and volunteer-driven youth movement. Our youth leaders are embracing this challenge as an opportunity to energize the peer and volunteer leadership framework which has sustained the Movement for almost 100 years. The National Mazkirut of Young Judaea is already moving to mobilize their peers, alumni, national Young Judaea staff, shlichim and parents to ensure the continuation of local programming. Many grassroots efforts are already underway.

Contrary to what you may have read in the Facebook “obituary”, Young Judaea is not dead, it is very much alive. Neither are its local and regional programs dead. Rather, they are being re-imagined and reinvigorated with the support of those who most care about them. This is an opportunity for alumni and supporters of Young Judaea like you to come forward and give back to the Movement which you value and love in order to assure that current and future generations have the opportunities that you had. I am grateful to those of you who have already volunteered your homes, your time and your support for our youth, and those of you who have opened your hearts and your checkbooks, and I trust that many more will join you.

I want to assure you that despite the reorganization and despite the current economic climate, Young Judaea’s Israel programs and its camps remain strong and vibrant. Our camps rank with the best mission-driven Jewish camps on the planet. Year Course and our other programs in Israel remain the gold standard, and the envy of every other Movement. Our regional programs, too, will continue and will thrive with the support of caring volunteers and supporters.

In these difficult economic times, your financial support is more important than ever. We welcome your contributions, large or small, which may be directed to Hadassah for Young Judaea or to Young Judaea directly. The needs are great: for overall support of our programs; for scholarship assistance (we anticipate significantly greater need this year); for the capital campaign of the YJ camp of your choice.

I am grateful for your support in advancing Young Judaea’s mission through these challenges, and in forging an even stronger Young Judaea guided by the Movement’s enduring core principals of peer leadership, Zionism, Jewish identity, pluralism and social action, as we look ahead to our next hundred years. I’d be happy to answer your questions; please address them to alumni@youngjudaea.org.”

My take on this letter: If you or your kids have been involved in Young Judaea, now is the time to show your support (financially or by giving your time) and give back to the organization that has given so many people so much throughout the years!

Yoav