What is USY?

Mission Statement

United Synagogue Youth (USY) and Kadima, of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), inspires Jewish youth to explore, celebrate and practice ethical values, Jewish living, Zionism and community responsibility based on the ideology of the Conservative Movement.

What is USY?

The answer starts with an organization called the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). United Synagogue is the umbrella organization of Conservative synagogues in North America. It services the overall needs of its affiliated congregations. United Synagogue Youth (USY) and Kadima are the official youth organizations of the Conservative Movement. USY chapters exist only in congregations that are affiliated with United Synagogue. To be in USY is to strive to learn about and live within the framework of Conservative Judaism.

USY was founded in 1951 and has grown from a handful of chapters to an international
organization with thousands of high school age members. In 1964, Kadima was formalized
as a separate entity for pre-USY age young people. USY was conceived as a means of
meeting the social, educational, religious, and recreational needs of Jewish teenagers.
USY seeks to involve teenagers in synagogue life and help build the Jewish community
of the future. Furthermore, USY is a Zionist organization, trying to build a relationship
between Israel and Jewish youth in America. Today, USY continues to work toward these
same goals. One measure of USY’s success is that it has produced its own leaders, as many
advisors, youth workers, Rabbis, synagogue presidents, etc. are themselves former USYers.

USY begins at the local chapter level where it recruits members and trains leaders. The next
level is the regional level. The regions have a variety of activities to bring together members
and leaders from the chapters. The third level is the international level. The international
USY offices are located in the United Synagogue building in New York City. The programs
it coordinates include International Convention, USY on Wheels, Israel Pilgrimage, Nativ, Tikkun Olam, Chalutzim, 613 Mitzvah Club, Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society, and the Program Bank.

•