I have been following the Toronto synagogue disaffiliation discussion for a while now. As a three-year member of the Eastern Canadian Region of United Synagogue Youth (ECRUSY), the youth branch of USCJ in eastern Canada, and the communications vice-president on its regional executive board, this issue concerns me very much.
 |  |
Over the past three years, I have gone through a multitude of new experiences and been exposed to the wonderful world of Conservative Judaism, all because of USY. What most people do not see are the opportunities provided to USYers by the regional and international level of USY. My concern is that by disaffiliating, some of the Toronto synagogues will be denying many teens the same opportunities and experiences that USY has provided me over the past three years. I know that there is no way to emulate the USY experience that provides Jewish teens with more than one could ever imagine.
For the past two winter breaks, I have had the opportunity to experience a wide range of Jewish observance, been exposed to Jewish teachings, participated in USY’s spirited Ruach sessions, advocated for fellow human beings around the world through social action programming, experienced Israel without actually going, made amazing friends and experienced social programming that I have not only participated in but also had a chance to run myself.
There is only one place to have all these experiences, and that is USY’s International Convention. The convention is held once a year and brings together more than 1,000 Jewish teens from all over North America. It provides us with all of these opportunities and more.
USY also gives Jewish youths the opportunity to go and see Israel for themselves. This coming summer I, along with several other ECRUSY members, will be participating in one of USY’s many summer programs. These programs range from spending six weeks on a bus with more than 40 other people like you touring Canada and the United States, to experiencing eastern Europe or Spain or Poland and Israel on one of USY’s many Pilgrimage programs. I know that I speak for many USYers when I say that I am very excited to go on my trip.
A little bit closer to home, we have our amazing region, ECRUSY. We may be a small region, but we have great spirit and an incredible drive to learn and help change the world. Each year, we provide Jewish teens with four opportunities to get away from the busyness of life and come together at our amazing conventions. Each has a different theme that’s connected to Jewish life. Using the particular theme, we create fun social programming, interesting learning and discussion groups, great opportunities to help our communities, and the opportunity to make new friends for life.
USY also offers opportunities for leadership. It is a youth-run organization with minimal adult influence. Every level of USY, from the international level to the chapters within many Conservative synagogues, is run by young people. We have the opportunity to learn about working with a group and how to be a leader through the experience that we gain on these executives. We plan and run programming; teach our fellow USYers about our religion, culture and history; and get many teens involved in social action, ruach and fun social programming. Throughout my whole career in USY, I have held at least one position each year, if not more, and each has taught me more about leadership and Judaism than anything else ever could.
Without USY, my life would be very different. I would not have friends from all over North America. I would not have much opportunity for leadership. And I would have even less opportunity for social action and helping to repair the world. As well, I would not have much opportunity to learn more about my religion and I would not have a very strong connection to Conservative Judaism.
I know that there is no way to emulate the USY experience. I would like to make that clear.
Maxwell Marmur is communications vice-president of ECRUSY and a member of Shaar Shalom Synagogue’s USY chapter.
