USY Israel Experience (1993)

WHEREAS, studies have shown that an experience in Israel during the teenage years results in high Jewish commitment and dramatically lowers rates of intermarriage; and

WHEREAS, THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM, through the Department of Youth Activities, has established a positive reputation over the past 37 years of providing an outstanding program in Israel through its USY Israel Pilgrimage Program; and

WHEREAS, the costs of these programs continue to rise, and parents find it increasingly difficult financially to provide an Israel experience for their teenagers; and

WHEREAS, the educational focus an environment of the USY Israel Pilgrimage Program in geared toward teaching about and perpetuating a Conservative Jewish lifestyle while deepening the student's understanding of an commitment toward Israel.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon its affiliated congregations to:

1. publicize and promote the USY Israel Pilgrimage Program to all teenagers and their families in their congregations;
2. establish savings programs for families with younger children, together with "matching funds" by the congregation, federation and other community agencies, to ensure that tuition for such a program is available to those children when they become teenagers, to enable participation in such a program;
3. give preference, where appropriate, in terms of scholarship assistance and publicity, to Israel programs sponsored by the Conservative Movement, and THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE in particular; and
4. create scholarships and aggressively raise funds for families who require financial assistance; and
5. work with community agencies and federations to unsure that Conservative Movement Israel Programs not be discriminated against in awarding scholarships and/or matching funds.