USY has brought me two very important things: a deeper and more meaningful perspective of my Jewish identity, and great friends that I have made over the years. Ever since my first convention freshman year, I have felt welcomed into CRUSY. Conventions are a great experience and for me they are like a little break from reality. It is always so much fun spending a weekend full of Judaism, games, dances, programs and great friends. By being in USY, I definitely feel more of a Jewish connection, and the experiences have brought me closer both with Judaism and with the people I have met throughout.

CRUSY is, quite honestly, indescribable; there isn’t a wrong way to define it, but infinitely many right ways. For many, it is a place to be with friends that are so close, they are almost family. To others, it is a place to let out every bit of ruach they could possibly contain within themselves between conventions. No matter how you look at it, CRUSY is more than just a group of states filled with energetic, conservative Jews, or an important piece of USY as a whole youth group; it is, to many like me, a second home. It is a place where I can express myself as I choose, a second family that I can trust with anything I possess, and a friend that I can always run to or look forward to seeing. For me, CRUSY started out as just a youth group, but it became everything I could have ever wanted.

As a freshman, getting into USY was probably one of the best decisions of my life! The friends you make in CRUSY will last a lifetime. The conventions for CRUSY are amazing because you learn so much about Judaism, and what you learn can be applied to everyday life. CRUSY is home to me, and I understand I have 3 more years left so I have to cherish those years and keep going to the awesome CRUSY conventions.

Middle school sucked. The thought of moving on from axe-bombs to senior prank couldn’t come sooner. I was ecstatic when freshman year finally arrived because I knew change was coming, but I never expected how large that change would impact not only my life, but many other lives. USY, I can most positively say, was my change for the better. High school is rough; it’s a survival of the fittest, but with USY you never have to be alone. I quickly became the baby in my new found family, something I definitely wasn’t used to. I soon realized that it wasn’t the lounge nights, events, or the conventions that made me fall in love with such a unique youth group, it was the people. I had shoulders to cry on, experienced advice givers, road trip buddies, big brothers and sisters, and friends that I knew I would keep with me forever. As I became older and gained more experience, I found that I was soon becoming a big sister to younger kids, something I relied on so much through high school. The compassion and affection that I see through the hugs, tears, and triumphs CRUSY shares creates enough love to spread throughout the entire world. Looking back on my high school experience, I know I would not be the strong independent, hard working, Jewish teenager that I am today without my family; CRUSY.

CRUSY is, in a word, inexplicable. The experiences I’ve had with friends are simply strange, but it is those memories, those experiences, the ones you can’t explain, that you remember the most vividly. Only those who have been involved in CRUSY can really understand this. To those who aren’t CRUSYites, you feed them the line, “You just had to be there.” To those who are and they can either tell you a story that relates to yours, or you can both just have a good laugh about it.

At first when I saw my older sister getting so excited about going to USY conventions, I deliberately didn’t do Kadima just because she liked it so much. But eventually, I realized that I was just afraid I wouldn’t make friends, or that I wouldn’t fit in. So I decided to go to Kadima Kinnus in 8th grade, thus discovering that USY is the most incredible environment full of even more incredible people.

USY is unlike any other thing in the entire world. It has brought me all of my best friends experiences, and it has changed my perspective on life. Before I entered USY, I was a lost freshman, not knowing what to do. When I decided to try USY, I felt instantly welcomed, and I knew I was at home. Today, USY is my 2nd family, and has taught me more than I can possibly describe. After spending a summer with USY in Israel, I felt like a new person. USY is not just a youth group; it is a family, a way of life, and an experience that will change your life.

CRUSY has proven itself to be a completely unique environment in my life. It’s defined by its members, and its members are vibrant, exciting people who love being Jewish and love being with each other. The enthusiasm and acceptance that’s in CRUSY is not something I’ve found in such epic proportions elsewhere.

CRUSY. There are so many words that come to mind: friendship, good food, fun, games, dances, late nights. My experience with CRUSY has been everything that I hoped for. Coming from a small Jewish town, it has been wonderful being able to meet, talk, and pray with people my own age from all over the Midwest. It has been so much fun to laugh and talk to so many different people, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. CRUSY has helped me become a better Jew.