Spring: The Season for Change. In This Issue: Disney IC 07: Magical Coverage. Senior Memories and Metamorphosis. How USY Changes the World

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1 The Official Magazine of USY Spring: The Season for Change In This Issue: Disney IC 07: Magical Coverage Senior Memories and Metamorphosis How USY Changes the World Not to mention: At Leisure!!! Spring 2008 g qyz aia` Department of Youth Activities The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Spring 2008

2 Communications Corner From the Editors Create the Change You Want to Be by Scott Strenger Spring is my favorite season of the year. As I look around me, the bare trees become reborn, the flowers bloom, the sun shines bright and kids come out to play. Weeks ago, the weather was cold and the outside imagery was bland. Now, as we go further into spring, every day I am greeted by vivid new colors and the spirit of hope and change. There is something about spring that leaves a sense of anticipation in the air. Most people believe this to be the end of the school year, but, believe me, it isn t that clear. This anticipation is built upon the changing world around you. As you witness a seed turn into a flower you can t help but be inspired. Metaphorically speaking, you can reflect and realize that the flower is you, so much has changed since the spring prior and you, too, have bloomed. Change in a person is not limited to physical growth; it is focused upon your real-life experiences and how each of them has affected the way you go about your life. Each of us has a mission, we aim to improve ourselves in some way, shape or form. The best way we can do USY is one of those places where life experiences and lessons are in high supply. The friendships we make can last a lifetime, and the memories will never die. Through conventions, dances, USY on Wheels, USY Israel Pilgrimage and so much more, the opportunities are endless and here for the taking. this is to live and let learn, each and every experience is a lesson, another chapter in our life book, another notch on our belt. Whether positive or negative, we must take these experiences with us as we continue on life s highway. Remember what they have taught us, and make the necessary changes to improve our lives. USY is one of those places where life experiences and lessons are in high supply. The friendships we make can last a lifetime, and the memories will never die. Through conventions, dances, USY on Wheels, USY Israel Pilgrimage and so much more, the opportunities are endless and here for the taking. I urge each and every one of you to heed this advice: make the best you can out of each situation, and use it to improve your life. We all too often get caught up by the little things don t sweat it, relax, have fun and remember you create the change you want to be. Starting Change Within Yourself by Sherman Fabes & Rebecca Macy They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. Andy Warhol USY is no stranger to change. Every year, USYers take action to make change for the better through summer programs, volunteering, advocacy, regional events and living as Conservative Jews. For Achshav s first issue of 2008, we felt that it only seemed fitting to highlight USYers who are experiencing and making change in USY, in their own lives, in their communities and in the world. As your Achshav! editors, we look forward to the opportunity to share these USYers stories of change. With that being said, we are no strangers to change ourselves. In this issue, you ll read about how six weeks on a bus or in a foreign country can change one s life forever; how more than 1,000 USYers can come together and make change with the power of their voices; how shy, awkward kids can become loud, motivational leaders; and how a Jewish movement can inspire USYers from across North America to change their lifestyles by starting traditions in their homes. As your Achshav! editors, we look forward to the opportunity to share these USYers stories of change. With that being said, we are no strangers to change ourselves. We have both been on USY summer programs, traveling across this beautiful country and soon across our homeland. We took part in different social action projects throughout our USY on Wheels experiences, from packaging shoes in Chicago to give to third world countries to cleaning up trash in New Orleans. We made a difference. We made a small change in this world, but this is not the only change we made. We both changed as people thanks to the friendships we made and the Jewish experiences we shared. We both took chances during our trips and both have come out for the better. The worst part was leaving all our friends thinking it was the end, when really it was only the beginning. USY has changed us, making us better friends to people, the world and most of all ourselves. Distance is tough. Bringing together very distant USYers? Even tougher. That s why we, Sherman Fabes and Becca Macy, are working to make our changing, distant USY community even closer with Achshav! Scott Strenger of METNY is the 2008 International Communications Vice President of USY. him at communications@usy.org. Sherman Fabes and Rebecca Macy are the 2008 Editors of Achshav!. If you have questions, comments, or want to volunteer to write for Achshav!, them at achshav@usy.org. ACHSHAV!

3 g qyz aia` Volume 57, Number 1 Spring 2008 Spring: The Season for Change HADASHOT 5 International Convention 2007: A Week to Remember 6-7 Photos from all the fun of International Convention SENIOR METAMORPHOSIS 8 On My Journey: Through USY, Across North America, Into Adulthood 9 My Series of Firsts in USY Achshav! (USPS ) is published quarterly by the Department of Youth Activities, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Subscription price is included in USY membership dues. Periodical postage paid at New York, New York. Achshav! is the official magazine of United Synagogue Youth. Postmaster: Send change of address forms to: Achshav!, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York Phone: (212) , ext Fax: (212) youth@uscj.org Website: Your submissions are welcome. Printed in the USA on recycled paper. Co-Editors Sherman Fabes & Rebecca Macy Design and Production Matthew G. Halpern United Synagogue Youth Adam Berman, President Scott Strenger, Communications VP Department of Youth Activities Jules A. Gutin, Director Karen Stein Aviva Tilles Adam Kofinas Ilan Schwartz Shira Abraham Amy Greenfeld Nahum Binder Yitzchak Jacobsen David Keren Yossi Garr International Youth Commission Paul Kochberg, Chair The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Dr. Ray Goldstein, President Dr. Marilyn L. Wind, Vice-President of Youth Services and Education Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Executive Vice President JUDAISM AS A RELIGION JUDAISM AS A CULTURE 10 The Best, Worst Thing about USY Tradition With Change 11 From the Outside, You Can t Understand From the Inside, You Can t Explain It CHANGING OUR WORLD 12 How to Make a Difference: The USY Way Tradition With Change 13 Spare Change can Change the World IN THE SPOTLIGHT 14 Lessons of Advocacy Highlight Seminar 15 AT LEISURE MESSAGES 2 Create the Change You Want to Be by Scott Strenger USY Communications VP 2 Starting Change Within Yourself by Sherman Fabes & Rebecca Macy Achshav Editors 4 Growing From Strength to Strength by Jules Gutin, Director of USY 4 Changing from Time to Time, Place to Place by Adam Berman, USY President Achshav! is a project of The Department of Youth Activities, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism promotes the role of the synagogue in Jewish life in order to motivate Conservative Jews to perform mitzvot encompassing ethical behavior, spirituality, Judaic learning, and ritual observance. Combining an awareness of communal responsibility with a strong sense of commitment, the United Synagogue is a dynamic force within the Conservative Movement. Spring 2008

4 From the Director From the President Growing From Strength to Strength by Jules Gutin Changing from Time to Time, Place to Place by Adam Berman Just recently, when I visited Hagalil region s Spring Convention, I noted that 42 years had passed since I was installed as a Hagalil Regional USY officer. This was brought home even more clearly when I noticed that I was already a member of the International USY staff when several of the new officers parents were USYers. While I was driving back from the convention I began to reflect on the changes that have taken place over the past four decades. While many of USY s strengths have remained constant over the years, many changes have also taken place. It is no secret that our membership numbers aren t quite as large as they used to be, but the overall number of participants at many regional events and at the International USY Convention is just as large (and sometimes larger) as it was decades ago. That means that a larger proportion of our membership is more actively engaged than ever before. Some things never change. The ruach, the strong leadership roles played by so many USYers, the important role of our chapters, our commitment to social justice, our strong bonds with the State of Israel, our emphasis on increasing commitment to Jewish observance all that, and more, remains constant. Forty years ago there was just one option on the USY Israel Pilgrimage. Now there are five different options with the possibility of others in the future. There was only one USY on Wheels bus back then. This summer there will be seven buses with three different program options. There was certainly no thought of a gap-year program in Israel back in 1966, and now we have more than 100 recent USY alumni spending the year in Israel on our Nativ program. Forty years ago we were thrilled when we raised $35,000 for USY s tzedakah program. Now we raise more than ten times that amount each year for our Tikun Olam program. Of course, some things never change. The ruach, the strong leadership roles played by so many USYers, the important role of our chapters, our commitment to social justice, our strong bonds with the State of Israel, our emphasis on increasing commitment to Jewish observance all that, and more, remains constant. But we all know that we can never stand still. While change can occasionally be challenging and unsettling, it usually helps to strengthen us. I look forward to continuing our work together to help foster positive change that will help us continue to grow from strength to strength. Jules Gutin is the International Director of USY. Send your comments directly to Jules at gutin@uscj.org. Shortly after International Convention, I had an aliyah at my synagogue back home in Columbus in honor of my election. After services wrapped up, I left my seat and headed off to lunch in the social hall. On my way to the food, I was stopped by an older member of the congregation. Are you the National President? he asked me. I confirmed that I indeed was, opting not to tell him that the title had changed over the years. He proceeded to recite several names and asked if they meant anything to me. A couple did, such as Paul Freedman, the first National USY President and a former director of USY. A number of the names were totally lost on me, however, and he seemed a bit disappointed. USY is what the USYers make of it, and if all that USYers made of it was what was handed down year after year, no one would truly enjoy it. We must make USY our own. He told me that he had been one of the original USY advisors when the organization was founded in Minnesota in the 1950s. His stories of those early years were quite simply astounding. He recalled hopping from car to car on the long train rides across mid-america to make sure the USYers were not being obnoxiously loud as to anger the other passengers. He recounted nights of sitting outside of USYers hotel rooms, not listening for sounds of members of the opposite sex being where they shouldn t be, but rather listening for the sounds of the cards and coins that were indicative of illegal gambling. Needless to say, things have changed. Surely the USY conventions now would be unrecognizable to the early USY members who are now nearing their 70s. The transportation, the songs and the conduct of the USYers are completely different. And that s a good thing. USY is what the USYers make of it, and if all that USYers made of it was what was handed down year after year, no one would truly enjoy it. We must make USY our own. Moreover, change doesn t only happen over time, but from place to place. Here in Ohio, we don t even have passenger trains. Staff hopping from car to car while the train was chugging along never happened here. In the beginning of my term, I have started to see the differences in USY in different places. I am not sure that I personally would like some of the traditions during ruach and davening that some regions have, but that is exactly why they have it and my region does not. USY should fit the USYers. USY should be the best it can be for the here and the now achshav, if you will. So, please, let me know what USY can do for you. And make USY into what you want it to be. Adam Berman of CRUSY is the 2008 International President of USY. him at president@usy.org. 4 ACHSHAV!

5 zeycg Hadashot International Convention 2007: A Week to Remember by Avi Rubin, Far West One of the most beautiful aspects of life is being part of a bigger purpose and feeling connected to complete strangers. For me, USY s 2007 International Convention was one of those times. Not only did I befriend many people a few of them now considered my closest but I was also able to experience one of those unforgettable moments. It was following an inspiring speech about taking part in social action, the whole room was motivated to make an impact in the world, and thus had extra energy. For the next half hour, more than 1,000 USYers took that energy and broke out into a somewhat random party. The classic Hebrew song Yachad played throughout the ballroom and immediately people were up on chairs all throughout the room, grabbing hold of each other and screaming the words at the top of their lungs. I hesitated to get into the song, but finally joined the singing force. After about two minutes of singing as loud as I possibly could, I took a break (much to the pleasure of those around me) and glanced around the room. All across the room, clusters of USYers were standing on chairs, screaming exactly as I was. The room was simply humongous, and the volume echoing throughout the room was just astounding. But the most incredible part still remained. As I looked around, everybody shared the same expression on their faces, smiles of pure joy, fun and love for the moment. I tried but couldn t possibly think of how different and diverse all of these people were. They lived all across North America, attended all types of public and private schools and some even received a Hadashot (zeycg) is Hebrew for news home-school education. There were Israelis, Canadians, and even a Brit. All of us came from different upbringings, different family customs and values, and this may have been the one time in our lives that we will ever share the same room. Yet still, we all sang the song, and felt similar emotions singing it. No matter how unique and different we were, there still remained that universal feeling of connection and belonging to the Jewish people. I can t explain why this moment happened, but it is one of my favorite memories of all time. Whenever I hear the song play now, I imagine myself back in that massive ballroom, with so many USYers, all there for the same reason and all enjoying the same activity. I remember feeling connected to every single person in the room, even though I had never spoken even a word to them in my life. This is the power of USY: so many USYers uniting for a common purpose and sharing the ultimate fun: a lifetime memory, together. USY Award winners USY Chapter of the Year Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex (Caldwell USY) - Caldwell, NJ Membership Awards Quantitative Increase for a Region: EPA (38 new members) Percentage Increase for a Region: EPA (14.67%) Quantitative Increase for a Chapter: Congregation Emanu-El, Victoria, BC, Canada (55 new members) Percentage Increase for a Chapter: Westchester Jewish Center, Mamaroneck, NY (over 1600%) Tikun Olam Awards Quantitative Donation for a Region: Hagalil ($46,513.58) Per Capita Donation for a Region: CRUSY ($49.04 per USYer) Quantitative Donation for a Chapter: North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL ($5,829.76) Per Capita Donation for a Chapter: Congregation Har El, West Vancouver, BC ($ per USYer) Spring

6 Looking Back zeycg Photos from all the fun of International Convention Photo Descriptions: 1: Regional delegates dance at the beginning of the Opening Session on Sunday; 2: Freedom Song/Beit T shuvah focuses on overcoming addictions with the support of the Jewish community; 3 & 4: USY on Wheels summer program reunions; 5: Mickey Mouse makes his grand entrance; 6 & 7: USYers Stand Up for Darfur during a walk-a-thon and awareness program 6 ACHSHAV!

7 Looking Back zeycg Photo Descriptions: 1: A special guitar act during the Parade of Stars Talent Show; 2: Hanging out with friends after a general session; 3: Passing the Gavel to the 2008 USY President Adam Berman; 4: In the Moon Bounce during Mickey s Extravaganza See You Next Year! USY will be returning to the Washington, D.C. area for the 58th Annual USY International Convention! December 21-25, 2008 Mark your calendars now! Spring

8 Senior Metamorphosis On My Journey: Through USY, Across North America, Into Adulthood by Sammy Forshner, Emtza H ere you go, my dad said to me, as he slipped a pre-tied tie off his head, and handed it to me. You ll be tying your own next time. I took the precisely tied tie and neatly t u c k e d it into a plastic bag with its m a t c h - ing dress shirt for Shabbat, handling it carefully, preciously, lest I be s t r a n d - ed at Kadima K i n n u s with a tie Sammy on a stop in Wisconsin along the journey through USY. I would have to tie on my own a terror-filed situation for this middle-schooler. The memory makes me both cringe and chuckle. Four years of USY later, I know very well how to tie my own tie now, not that I ll be wearing one very often where I m going next year. The journey from Kadima Kinnus 2004 at a retreat center in rural Missouri to Nativ 28 in Israel has taken me from coast to coast, and countless points in between. And just as I have traversed the map, so too have I traveled a long and winding path that now leads me home, to our Jewish homeland, Israel. Along the way, my itinerary has included a stint on the regional general board and three terms on my chapter s executive board, with a year as chapter president my final destination. I ve Kinnus ed in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Omaha, and Des Moines, Kallah ed all over rural Iowa, Shabbaton ed in Missouri, Wisconsin, and Texas, and LTI ed in Kansas City and Des Moines. I ll never forget how I Heschel Kinnus ed in Albany, Teaneck, and Hartford, and IC ed in Chicago, Boston, and Anaheim. Now it s time to get off the USY flight path and change routes. Next stop: Nativ. Change is part of life, and all the more so for those of us about to leave the nest of house, home, and USY, and move into the bigger world. For the past five years, my shul has been blessed with an incredible assistant rabbi who inspired and energized the youth of the congregation. As he now spreads his wings and moves into the bigger world, many of us will mourn his departure. Whoever replaces him will not be the same and so we won t have the same kind of relationship with him or her. It will be different. We will be different. Things will change. But of course, that is precisely what change is about. As this wonderful rabbi told us once, change is all about moving forward. Often times the things that worked so well for us in the past and helped us to be the happy and successful people we are now are the very things we need to let go of in order to grow. I can t be a Kadimanik or a USYer forever, and that s how it should be. I now move into a group larger than either of those: responsible Jewish young adult. And that includes tying my own tie. ; USY Seniors 2008 USY Seniors ACHSHAV!

9 Senior Metamorphosis My Series of Firsts in USY by Paula Sass, CRUSY Most USYers have one first convention. You know, the one where you don t really understand what s going on, are overwhelmed by the masses of people you ve never met, and just don t quite get it yet. Like most USYers, I had that experience. Unlike most USYers, I had it twice. The first time, I was a relatively quiet freshman in Hagalil. I was from an active chapter and went to Solomon Schechter, so I had several friends at the convention, even though it was my first one. I mostly stuck with those friends I already knew, and I had a good time. Thus, overall, it was uneventful a good experience, but not one I would exactly call life-changing. I had fun, but I didn t leave my comfort zone. That summer, I went on USY on Wheels, Mission: Mitzvah. Though I knew a few other people on my bus before the summer started, I didn t talk much on the first day of Wheels. To be totally honest, I don t remember why. Most likely, I was intimidated by the thought of spending six weeks on a bus with all of these people whom I had never met. Needless to say, the intimidation was unnecessary, and I soon met some of my closest friends. By the end of the summer, we remembered my initial shyness and laughed quiet was no longer a word that anyone on that bus would use to describe me. I had turned over a new leaf and was looking forward to seeing many of my new friends at Hagalil conventions in the coming year. Fate (or my dad s company, or maybe even Hashem had other plans. After that summer, I moved abruptly from northern New Jersey to Cleveland. At that point, participation in USY was a given. After my fantastic summer on Wheels, I knew USY would continue to be a huge part of my life. Eagerly, I joined a local chapter and signed up for my first CRUSY convention. Upon arrival, I encountered a familiar feeling of confusion: I was at my first convention. Again. I was so excited to be a part of CRUSY, but my intimidation Paula and her friends from Bus H her first USY Summer Program experience got the better of me yet again, and I slipped into my old, quiet self. I had a handful of friends and familiar faces at that convention, but I wasn t housed with any of them. The other girls that I stayed with were nice and friendly, but I still didn t break out of my shell. Slowly, I became more outgoing again. I made some unbelievable friendships (and have used up the cell phone minutes to prove it). I ve become good friends with a few of the girls that I roomed with at that first CRUSY convention, and, like on USY on Wheels, we joke about my shyness now. Over the course of my years in USY, I have forgotten that girl who didn t participate in ruach at her first convention, who didn t talk on the first day of Wheels and who was shy and withdrawn at her first CRUSY convention. Somehow, USY has enabled me to leave all of that behind for someone who screams herself hoarse leading ruach at every regional convention, who spoke to more than 1,000 USYers as a candidate for USY International Board and who spends her time on the phone with her USY friends, running USY programs or even writing articles for Achshav! Looking back, I m still not quite sure how that happened, but I do know that I have USY to thank for it. And I know one more thing: after wasting a precious day of Wheels and a few conventions with my shyness, I m definitely done being quiet. USY Seniors 2008 USY Seniors 2008 Spring

10 Judaism as a Religion, Judaism as a Culture Once upon a time, I was a shy little kid. Those of you who know me may not believe that, but I was the kid that needed to be near the end of the line in the lunchroom so that when I sat down I could make sure there were already a bunch of my friends there to sit with. Because of USY, I have made a complete 180 degree turn. I don t remember how I got involved in USY, or what my favorite program of all time was, but I do know one thing: USY helped me learn how to meet people and how to create friendships. And now? I love meeting people. At CHUSY s spring convention last year, I spent three days meeting and talking to all 240 delegates, and at brunch on Sunday, as a fundraiser for Tikun Olam, I named every USYer in the room. USY has The Best, Worst Thing about USY by Josh Warshawsky CHUSY given me the opportunity to meet hundreds of Jewish teenagers from across the United States and Canada over the past four years. I can proudly say that some of my best friends live all across the United States and Canada, from Toronto to California to New Jersey. Kansas City, Virginia, Columbus, and everywhere in between. The only problem with that is the keeping in touch part. It is very hard to keep in touch with close friends who live in three different time zones and all are involved in various extra-curricular activities, not to mention all of our school work. My friends at school don t understand why I m always talking to people all over the country and my parents don t understand why I receive four phone calls during dinner every other night. My mom always asks, don t they know not to call during dinner? But I just smile because Tradition With Change by Daniel Novick, Seaboard I know they re calling me because they just finished with dinner and now they are finally free or this is their one free minute during the day to catch up with me for the first time in a week. Keeping in touch is hard. I m not very good at balancing my time and I m not always able to keep in touch with everyone as much as I would like to. But I don t know how my life could possibly function without the friends that I have made in USY. I am so proud to be a USYer, knowing that I have friends just like me who are celebrating Shabbat and holidays and going to USY conventions all over the country. Its an incredible feeling to know that no matter where I am on this continent, I will always be able to find a friend. Josh Warshawsky of CHUSY is the 2008 USY Membership/Kadima Vice President. A s I write this, I have heard back from many colleges with my admissions decision, but there are still a few more that I have yet to hear from. When people ask me, Are you nervous about hearing back from colleges? I tell them that I am not. What I am nervous about is the fact that I do not know where I will be going next year. I am extremely nervous about this major change in my life. I know that I will thrive at any of the colleges, but making a decision about this change continues to make me uneasy. Change is not something new to us Jews. One of the Conservative Movement s mottos is Tradition with Change, and the history of the Movement might best be understood as a tug of war between these two concepts. Our Movement professes obedience to halakhah but at the same time is open to making normative adjustments in response to societal changes. However, while a religious life that balances tradition and change might sound ideal, navigating these two poles is never simple. What are we supposed to do when the NFL Conference Championship game is played on Shabbat? Do we follow the tradition aspect of Conservative Judaism, or do we go with the change aspect? The Conservative Movement has seen its share of change, especially in the past 20 to 30 years. In the 1980s, Conservative Judaism made the significant change to begin ordaining women as rabbis. Today, a quarter of a century later, the Conservative Movement is still facing troubles with the idea of change regarding the ordination of Rabbis. This time, it is with the change to ordain homosexuals as rabbis. The Conservative Movement also decided to add the matriarchs into the Amidah with the publication of the new Siddur Sim Shalom in In addition, there are many teshuvot passed by the CJLS (Committee of Jewish Law and Standards) that deal with the motto Tradition with Change. As you can see, change in our Movement occurs constantly as we try to find that central position upon which we can all agree. Personally, I made a major change in my life two years ago when I first ran for USY regional board. Before my election, I was not an observant Conservative Jew. I did not keep kosher and I did not keep the sanctity of Shabbat and other major holidays. But, I decided to make the change to become an observant Jew, Tradition With Change, continued on page 12 Daniel Novick of Seaboard is the 2008 USY Religion/Education Vice President. 10 ACHSHAV!

11 Judaism as a Religion, Judaism as a Culture From the Outside, You Can t Understand From the Inside, You Can t Explain It by Julia Lustig, CRUSY rowing up in Louisville, Ky., I have been fortunate Genough to have been raised in a Conservative Jewish family that has always made Judaism a prominent part of my everyday life. Although I may have dreaded the long hours spent in Hebrew school preparing to become a Bat Mitzvah, the hard work paid off on the big day. I participated in all aspects of the service as well as impressed my family and friends. Even though this day marked the end of one chapter of my life, I knew it was only the beginning of another. I may have been pushed to pursue my Jewish education up until this day, but now that I had officially become a woman in the Jewish community, it was no one else s responsibility but mine to continue my studies. At my Bat Mitzvah, I was presented with many certificates and I was told that there were numerous roads I could follow in high school to stay further involved in the Jewish community. One of the certificates presented that day was from USY. I was informed that it was a great way to not only stay connected with my Judaism, but to meet other Jewish teens from cities all over the Central Region. It sounded like a lot of fun and I thought it might be worth a try. Before I knew it, I had begun my next journey. As I loaded my bags on to the bus (without any of my friends from home, I might add), I was headed off to Toledo, Ohio, for my first convention: Fall Kinnus Having no clue what to expect as I arrived, I was sincerely welcomed into CRUSY and even got to wear a kiss me, it s my first convention bracelet. Everyone was so welcoming and I had already made new friends before Shabbat even started. From the ruach that filled the room during Kabbalat Shabbat as we danced around the sanctuary, to There Once Was a Wizard, to slow ruach and havdalah as Shabbat ended, to top tens and staying awake until the wee hours of the night, I can proudly look back and say that my first taste of USY had gotten me hooked. With tears in my eyes leaving my new friends as I loaded the bus on Sunday morning, I could hardly wait until my next convention. From that moment on, I could tell that my next four years in USY were going to be unforgettable and the Central Region really is the best. Fast forward two years. After being to two International Conventions, and serving as Membership/Kadima Vice President and President of my chapter, and I will soon be attending my 13th convention as a USYer, I think it s pretty safe to say that I have become obsessed with USY. The journey that I began as a freshman has turned into hundreds of memories that I will remember forever. I have brought many of the customs from USY back home and connected myself with Judaism on a whole different level. By raising money for those that are less fortunate than us, to seeing which grade can be the loudest during Friday night ruach, to the long bus rides to and from conventions, to not going a day without talking to one of my USY friends, USY has become a lifestyle. My friends at home wonder why I m always counting down the days until my next convention, why I m constantly out of town and just how great can praying, eating and singing really be? Well, it really is just that great. It s my life, it s USY; from the outside looking in, you can t understand, and from the inside looking out, you just can t explain... Spring

12 Changing Our World How to Make a Difference: The USY Way by Marisa Briefman, Hanegev Recently at dinner, my mom brought a magazine to the table. It was the Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism, a Conservative Movement magazine that is sent out to many Conservative Jewish families across the country. As I was flipping through the pages, past the Tefillin Barbie article (yes, there really is a Tefillin Barbie), I found an article written about USY International Convention I thought it was just going to say how amazing it was that more than 1,000 USYers gathered together and how it was great that so many Jewish teenagers were following Conservative Judaism. However, after reading the article, I was very wrong. As I started to read the article to my mom, I realized it was not only about how IC was held at Disneyland, but more about how we, as USYers, were able to make a difference. USY this past year collected more than $300,000 to send to various deserving organizations through our Tikun Olam (TO) fund. Not only that, but in the five days we spent at convention, we were able to raise $10,000 through the annual International USY Coin Challenge. USY also participated in a Walk for Darfur to raise awareness of the current genocide happening in the regions of Darfur and Chad. After seeing online comments to articles posted on various websites, we definitely succeeded in making people aware. When I finished reading the article, I looked up at my mom and got chills down my spine. I realized that whenever I told my parents about IC, I only told them about the basic social highlights, such as seeing my friends, having fun and being in California. I neglected to tell them one of the most rewarding parts of USY: Tikum Olam and the fact that we made a difference in the world. My mom immediately went to her computer and sent an to our temple Youth Commission about the article, so that they could make our synagogue aware of what a difference USY has made in the world. I realized at that moment that USY really is more than the eating, praying and having fun that we do at many events. It is about making a difference. We were able to raise so much money for TO that we could send money to many organizations in need. For example we were able to send $15,000 towards building a Yeshiva for adults in Uganda allowing the Conservative Movement to flourish world-wide. USY did that. We did that. Whether you donated a penny or $100 dollars or more TO, every cent adds up. USY has made an impact in so many places in the world, and so many of us are unaware. Many USYers have no idea where their TO money is going. Tradition with Change Continued from page 10 I challenge all of you to donate one more dollar to TO at your next convention or event. If you do not know where it is going, then take the initiative and make At the 2007 USY International Convention, 2007 USY President Aaron Jacobs and 2007 Social Action/Tikun Olam Vice President Rachel Levenson presented a check from the Tikun Olam fund to the Abuyadaya Jewish community. yourself aware of where your dollar is going. Join the USY listerv and read the SA/TO Spotlight to find out where you money could be going. If you are not on the listerv, talk to your Regional SA/TO Vice President so you can become more aware of where our money is going. Every dollar, every cent counts. USY has made a difference. Why stop now? not only because I had to meet board standards, but because I felt an obligation to make those changes as a Conservative Jew. This change, however, was not easy. It took me a long time to get used to being an observant Conservative Jew, and to be honest, I am still in the process of changing. As Conservative Jews, we must all make changes to continue keeping Judaism a part of our lives. I urge you to make a new change in your life and try something new, whether it is keeping kosher or following the rules of Shabbat. It is about taking steps to becoming more observant, and I am sure that whatever level of observance you decide to follow will be right for you. 12 ACHSHAV!

13 Changing Our World Spare Change can Change the World by Jacob Beck, Hagesher Q: What do agorot, pennies and zloty have in common? A: They are all forms of spare change! Above I have mentioned three types of spare change around the world: agorot of Israel, pennies of America and zloty of Poland. Spare change is one of the most vital aspects of SA/TO and not many people know about it. Since my freshman year in school, I have been collecting spare change and placing it in my tzedakah box when I get home. Whether it is a penny, nickel, dime or quarter, it all goes in. Af ter about two months of continuously throwing spare change into my box, I took it to a coin counter and was stunned to find out that I had more than $50 just from spare change. At the next Hagesher U S Y R e g i o n a l Convention, I donated all of my change (now dollars) to Tikun Olam. W h e t h e r o n e knows it or not, spare change can change the world. While collecting mountains of change to donate, one should recognize that they are making a difference. The 21 cents one receives when he pays for a pizza or the 43 cents one gets back when he buys a bottle of water or even the penny one gets back when buying a pack of gum makes a difference. As Anne Frank wrote in her diary, How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. I urge everyone, from this point on, to reach into your pocket for some small change and give all of it to Tikun Olam. Write for Achshav! Achshav! is always looking for USYers to write articles for upcoming issues! Stay tuned for future announcements over USY listserves or on the USY website about themes, deadlines and more! Want More Information? If you are interested in writing, you find can out more information by ing your Achshav! Editors at achshav@usy.org or by going to Spring

14 In the Spotlight Lessons of Advocacy Highlight Seminar by Ali Picheny, METNY S ome months ago, as I was leaving a rally in support of the Kidnapped Israeli Soldiers in front of the United Nations building with my school, I received a phone call from METNY USY s Bruce Varon, which is still saved in my voic . The message said Ali Picheny, pack your bags! You are going on Hechalutzim Seminar 2008! I was extremely excited and proud to be selected, but I had no idea what to expect. I had been to Israel several times with my family and once with my school, but never with a group of complete strangers. While driving to Newark Airport, I became progressively more nervous about the fact that I did not know any of the other USYers going on the Hechalutzim Seminar. However, my nervousness was completely negated as soon as I saw my traveling companions they greeted me with open arms as soon as they saw me. Right from then, I knew this was going to be a memorable and remarkable seminar. During the seminar, we visited the educational area of Yad Vashem, met with Gil Hoffman from the Jerusalem Post, learned about the David Project, had a program with Israeli teens from NOAM, went to the Conservative Yeshiva, went to the Old City, went on a Jeep Ride, learned about the Second Lebanon war and met up with Nativers from Nativ 27. The itinerary was extensive and exhaustive, but rather than give the usual laundry list description of all the activities, there are a few main points that were the highlights of the highlights. During the David Project lecture, we were shown parts of a picture. None of Hechalutzim-ers could figure out what the picture was, until we were shown the full picture - it was an elephant! The Arab- Israeli conflict is like a picture of an elephant - you don t understand what you are seeing until you step back and look at the entire picture. As supporters of Israel, it is important to learn, understand and present all aspects of the conflict while seeing the entire picture otherwise, it is impossible to understand what is happening there and how best to support Israel. Drum Circle with TRY and USY High In Jerusalem s Old City Another critical piece of information is that although the media, such as CNN and The New York Times, emphasize the violent parts of the conflict, our meetings with the various youth groups in Israel showed that Israeli teens still lead Volunteering at a clothing store For more pictures and information from the HeChaluztim Seminar, visit programs/seminar normal lives. They attend sports events, concerts and hang out at the local malls just like teens do in the United States and Canada. Israeli teens do not let the conflict get to them they are incredibly strong and vibrant and deserve enormous respect, especially from us in the Diaspora who never have to even remotely deal with similar issues. The greatest lesson from the Hechalutzim Seminar is that the most important thing we can do is visit Israel. No matter the trip, visiting Israel is the ultimate way to show our support. 14 ACHSHAV!

15 At Leisure We all deserve a break now and then, right? Here s your chance to be At Leisure with some fun and games, courtesy of USY. For the answers, go to Word Search S Y N A G O G U E Z O P H T F N L P S E K V S W B S I L S P Q O G L R M X W I D Q U L I W O I C W F R I N T E R N A T I O N A L P Q G I N Z S U E W I T L D W T G A N T L G A W K P I R E X D E U R O T W S R R Z K P Y E R S E W I I E W O P C H A N G E W F C M J T M Q U I K Z K O D W U S L Q E J S A X N T E M E M O U T Y C R U N G M F D W P L S O G E A R T Y W H E E L S M N A H S J E K T L O O R S P W K I O A V E K F R I E N D S M T D C F K P F W F K O Y E W F J E K I U Y R Find these nine words, in any direction, in the word search above: Classic Sudoku Whose Line Is It? Spring Wheels Pilgrimage Graduate Change Butterfly Friends Synagogue International A. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it. (Composer) B. All the 613 commandments are included in the Ten Commandments. (Scholar) C. A piece of rye bread isn t very tasty. A slice of onion isn t such a treat. A slab of cream cheese tastes a little pasty, but With a little bit of lox, with a little bit of lox, you ve got something very good to eat! (Comedian) D. You can t fulfill your dreams unless you dare to risk it all. (USY Hero) Spring

16 Congratulations to the 2008 USY International Board L-R: Adam Berman, CRUSY, USY President; Deborah Hoffman, Hanegev, Israel Affairs Vice President; Daniel Novick, Seaboard, Religion/Education Vice President; Missy Mandell, Hagalil, Social Action/Tikun Olam Vice President; Josh Warshawsky, CHUSY, Membership/ Kadima Vice President; Scott Strenger, METNY, Communications Vice President... and the 2008 International General Board! Achshav! Editors Sherman Fabes, Hagalil; Rebecca Macy, EPA International Convention Co-Chairs Ezra Moses, ECRUSY; Jacob Stoehr, CHUSY Israel Affairs Committee Jonathan Gilbert, New Frontier; Ariella Kristal, METNY; Ron Shapiro, Hagesher LaNasi Brenna Hoffman, Seaboard; Ben Kripke, Hagesher Religion/Education Committee Dov Berkman, METNY; Judah Kerbel, Hanegev; Aaron Leven, Far West On-Line Services Joel Goldman, METNY Membership/Kadima Committee Josh Rubin, METNY; Todd Siegal, CRUSY Shalhevet Editor Bradley Hersch, Hanegev Social Action/Tikun Olam Committee Jacob Beck, Hagesher; Stefanie Groner, METNY 16 ACHSHAV! USY Wired Brian Stone, Far West