Youth Dept - J

KUSY 2023 / 2024 Board:

KUSY Advisor: Rachel Abrams rachel@bethshalom.net	KUSY Youth Commissioner: Kendra Fabry

National USY Website

“KUSY” (Kehilla United Synagogue Youth) is Beth Shalom’s youth department, a chapter of USY (United Synagogue Youth), USCJ’s (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) youth movement. Our youth department consists of three age groups, with fun programming fostering social connections in a Jewish peer group.

Chaverim - grades 3-5

Chaverim  (Hebrew for “Friends”) is for 3^rd through 5^th graders. This program provides a social Jewish environment, and builds connections between the public and private school kids of Beth Shalom. Chaverim paves the future for engagement in Gesher and USY. We usually meet about once a month, usually on Sundays from 12:15-2:00.

Gesher - grades 6-8

Gesher (“Bridge” in Hebrew) is USY’s program for middle-schoolers with programming closely tied to USY, including recreational activities, holiday celebrations, leadership development, weekend retreats, community service projects and more. Our Beth Shalom chapter meets about once a month usually on Sundays 12:15-2:00.

USY - grades 9-12

USY is for teens in 9^th through 12^th grade. We offer activities several times a month.

USY empowers Jewish youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish People, a deep engagement with and love for Israel, and a commitment to inspired Jewish living through meaningful and fun experiences based on the ideology of Conservative Judaism.

In addition to our chapter programming, Gesher and USYers get to participate in programs with other Gesher and USYers from all over our region.