Advisor: Adults (college students or members of the congregation or community) who work with USY or Kadima chapters and supervise chapter and regional events.
Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society: An honor society for USYers who commit to standards of Judaic study, prayer and Gmilut Chassadim (community service).
Benching: The act of saying the prayers recited after meals (See Birkat Hamazon
Birkat Hamazon: The prayer said after meals (See Benching)
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Chapter Board: A group of USYers who fill the leadership roles of their chapters. They work under the REB (See Regional Executive Board) to help their chapters grow and succeed.
Chofesh: The Hebrew word for free time. At a convention, Chofesh is a time to have fun with friends, catch up on old times, or just sleep!
Cuddle Puddle: A very large puddle of cuddling USYers
Curfew (Shloo): Bedtime!
Dugma: Hebrew word used to mean “good example.”
Fall Kinnus: One of the three regional conventions held during the year, usually held at a camp!
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International Convention (IC): An annual gathering during the winter break of USYers from all over America and Canada. It is a time to see your friends from USY Israel Pilgrimage, USY on Wheels, Ramah Israel Program, or to meet new people from other Regions. In 2017, it will be held in Chicago, Illinois.
Israel Pilgrimage: USY’s Overseas summer program: Israel Adventure, Poland/Israel seminar, Eastern/European Israel seminar, and L'Takayn Olam.
Kadima: The pre-USY organization for some fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and some eighth graders.
Kol Kadima: the online Kadima magazine
Maariv: The evening prayer service.
Mincha: The afternoon service.
Nativ: A year long program designed for college freshman. This consists of six months of study at Hebrew University and four months of Kibbutz life.
Noam: the Youth organization of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel and other foreign countries, USY's sister youth group organization.
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O-Grams: Notes you can buy at the end of convention (all money goes to Tikkun Olam; see Tikkun Olam) to write notes to your friends, which are then distributed at closing circle (See closing circle)
Regalia: USY swag USYers can get at convention
Region: Geographic area with many different chapters. Your local synagogue is your chapter. Each region consists of many chapters in a certain geographic area.
Regional Executive Board (REB) : A group of seven USYers who were elected by the people for the people. They are the main youth decision making body in the region and are responsible for the organization and execution of all regional events, as well as helping to maintain the region as a whole. It consists of President, Executive/Programming Vice President, Religious/Education Vice President, Social Actions/Tikun Olam Vice President, Membership/Programming Vice President, and Communications Vice President.
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Regional General Board (RGB): Selected by the Executive Board, these individuals assist the Executive Board in running the Region in certain areas.
Regional Youth Director (RYD): The Youth Director in charge of the region. Coordinates events, plans everything, ensures everything goes smoothly. In New Frontier, it's Sarah Miller. (aka the best person ever)
Ruach: Singing, dancing, and SPIRIT on Shabbat!
Social Action/Tikun Olam (SA/TO): Community Service and fundraising efforts for USY Tzedakah organizations. See Yad B’yad for the Kadima Tzedakah program description.
Shacharit: The morning prayer service.
Shmira: Watchers/guards at conventions to make sure that no one gets hurt or breaks the rules after curfew (See Curfew).
Sicha: Literally, sicha means conversation. In USY and Kadima, what we call Sicha's are our study groups. At every convention there is a study theme, which is discussed during the study sessions throughout Shabbat. These learning sessions are meant to be fun AND educational.
Sloach: Like ruach (see ruach), but slow. During this time USYers often form cuddle puddles and strengthen their friendships and bonds with Judaism.
Social Action: Acts of loving kindness, actions on behalf of a cause or a community.
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USY on Wheels: A six-and-a-half week tour of the United States, with stops in Canada and Mexico. An amazing experience! There are several different wheels programs, including Wheels Classic, Wheels Pacific Northwest, and Wheels East. and Wheels West
Warm Fuzzies: Little fluffballs that we hand out during closing circle, to trade with each other (see closing circle)
Yad B’yad: The Kadima Tzedakah program that supports activities for USY and Kadimaniks with special needs.
Dream USY: A two week summer program held in the Dominican Republic
613 Mitzvah Corp: For just $6.13 (Which goes to T.O … See Tikun Olam) you can join the InternationalMitzvot club where you will receive special mailings.
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Chapter Websites
> Sonoma County USY > San Francisco USY > San Jose City USY > Saratoga USY > Palo Alto USY > Sierra Nevada USY > Sacramento USY > Modesto USY >Marin County USY >Foster & Redwood City USY |
Regional Executive Board
President - Dalia Tabibian Executive/Programming VP - Talya Kurzrock Membership/Kadima VP - Daniel Sherman Religious Education VP - Jonathan Dombro Social Action/Tikkun Olam VP -Elysa Dombro Israel Affairs VP - Sonia Lachter Communications VP - Esther Mansur |