Parent Testimonials

USY has given my child a strong and loving group of friends who value the same things she does. Coming from a community with few Jewish teens (and even fewer who strongly follow their faith), USY provides her strong ties that go beyond her family. The friendships she’s made at CRUSY will be long-lasting, and have cemented her Jewish identity in a way that local congregational activities never could.

My son, Max Zack, has changed since he joined USY. He was always involved in our synagogue’s youth groups, but now he takes an interest in being part of the board of USY. His favorite part of USY is ruach. He loves to sing zemirot all over the house. He is also on facebook talking with all of his friends from CRUSY. We had a mystery night for incoming freshman last spring at our home. Max Zack recruited all of his friends to come to the event. It was a total success. Now all those friends are very active in USY, as well as being members of the board. It has shown Max Zack how to take a greater roll in Judaism throughout his community.

USY has consumed Gabby’s life. She eats, breathes, sings USY. In our house it’s like having a bright light on 24 hours a day. She lightens up when she speaks about USY. With her involvement in USY, Gabby has learned responsibility, companionship, caring for others, and compassion. But most of all she learned how to be a leader. She is on the board of her local chapter and has done magnificent work on the BuckUSY web page while learning new skills and art. USY has been the single most positive force in Gabby’s life.

What an incredible summer! On USY on Wheels, our daughter saw new sights, met new friends, and experienced Jewish living in the most far flung places. Traveling the country while learning and living with her peers gave her a unique chance to grow more independent and learn to really live cooperatively together. She grew more confident in her Jewish identity while having the time of her life! The friends, the stories, the memories!…We’re so glad we were able to give her this outstanding opportunity!

I don’t know where to begin to put in to words the positive impact that USY has had on my family.My four children have each served 2 years as Executive Board members. USY has helped to give my children a stronger identity Jewishly and the opportunity to meet other like minded teens from the different States of our Region and all over the country. It has helped them to embrace and understand who they are as Jews and supported the values they have been given in our home and at Jewish Day School. It has allowed them to be more secure in who they are as young Jewish adults and allowed them to feel secure when engaging as a Jewish voice on campus. Socially USY has given my children some of the nicest teens I know as friends. These teens have been happy to just hang together on Shabbas and weekends enjoying each others company.Having been an active Mom in USY I saw how welcoming the kids would be to those kids who were “different” and would include them in their social circles at conventions and social functions. USY trips and the conservative movement have played an important role in my children’s summer experiences. Some of them have participated in USY on Wheels as well Pilgrimage, years at Ramah summer camp and NATIV.I want to close by saying how important having Jewish Youth Groups of substance for teens is. I know for my family it was a wonderful venue for my kids to feel safe, be themselves, embrace their religion and most importantly to have a “ton of fun”. I will be forever grateful that USY has been a part of our family’s journey.