USY
Barbara Sherman,
Director
From Kindergarten and beyond...the Youth Department continues to impact, change, and enrich the lives of our kids. June used to be the end of our program year but not anymore. The Youth Department now has year round programs touching the lives of Kindergarteners and beyond. It continues to bring Jewish youth together from all around Orange County for quality programs. This is the time of year we switch from Kadima/USY to Camp B'nai Ruach. Camp starts with those entering Kindergarten and up. It is an extremely safe, nurturing, calm, active and fun place to experience CAMP ! We have trips, tours, sports, crafts, cooking, dancing, swimming and singing all under the watchful eyes of our staff. Come explore and grow where Spirit soars...come experience CAMP B'NAI RUACH.
As the summer days role by the CBI Youth Department is still busy working and programming the upcoming Kadima/USY year. With a new group getting ready to jump in and make the most of what Kadima/USY have to offer.
In addition to all this The Youth Department will expand with the birth of a new program, CLUB 613. This will be a College age and beyond program enabling the older young adults to continue to grow and socialize Jewishly. We are compiling our mailing list now so be sure to call us and add a few names on. There is a very strong need for a post High School Jewish Social program and we are eagerly fulfilling the need. For more information or to get involved in the excitement please contact Joni Salmon or myself.
It wouldn't be June without one thing, "The Traditional Thank you's and Farewells". First to an outstanding Youth Commission headed by our Youth Vice Presidents, Patty Berger and Joni Salmon, go huge thanks. This year was a great one because of them. The support, input and results that were achieved by this team was truly a turning point in the history of the Youth Department, from policy setting, Purim Carnival and Regional involvement we are stronger than ever because of them. The Staff, Sheri, Rebecca, Shera, Adam, Stacy, Joey, Michael, Becky, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you are each amazing. Corey, Michelle and Jill; the trio who led us to great things, we thank you and will miss you more than can ever be expressed. Together we grew, worked hard and remained close and I cherish the trio. Our many graduates, each of you has impacted our Chapter in many ways and it is hard for us to let you go, luckily many of you will be close and in touch, yet USY will be different without you but better because of you, we will always be connected and I wish you all much Mazal as you take the big step into your future. To all the Kadimanicks and USYers who are part of our amazing Chapter I thank you for a great year and I am thankful we still have much to experience together. Parents, we all thank you for the greatest gift of all, your children, you are giving them a priceless gift by supporting them in the Youth Department programs. Together we can build a Jewish future from Kindergarten and beyond.
This September I begin my 18th year with USY believing more than ever in what I do because I have seen the results of teens with a Youth Program and teens without a Youth Program. A strong informal education is vital and truly makes a difference in lives.
In addition to wishing Mazal Tov to our graduates, we wish Mazal tov to our Staff members that are getting married from June to November, Sepi & Michael, Spencer & Erica, Ken & Nikki, and Rebecca & Aaron, So I urge you to get involved from Kindergarten and beyond - Camp B'nai Ruach, Kadima, USY, back as Staff Members and now CLUB 613. There is no end to the impact we can have on shaping strong Jewish Adults. (We even have a place for parents on the Youth Commission, just call us). See you around the Shul, all year long !!