Young Judaea

UPCOMING Young Judaea Events

Young Judaea is a national Jewish youth movement sponsored by Hadassah. Young Judaea helps kids develop leadership skills, a strong Jewish identity, a relationship with Israel, and a commitment to making the world a better place. Programs include local club events, regional conventions, summer camps and Israel programs.

WHO BELONGS TO YOUNG JUDAEA?
Young Judaea welcomes Jews of all backgrounds, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and unaffiliated Jewish youth. Our local club involves kids from all of these communities, and geographically from Middlebury to Montpelier to St. Albans and beyond. (In order for all to be comfortable, our programs are planned in accordance with the laws of Kashrut and Shabbat.)

WHAT DO WE DO?
Our three local clubs, Ofarim (grades 3-5), Tsofim (grades 6-7), and Bogrim (grades 8-12) have monthly events like campfires, movie nights, social action projects, sukkah dinners, hikes, and overnights. At the regional level there are weekend long gatherings for Young Judaeans from all over the Northeast. At the national level there are conventions, summer camps, (Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake for 3rd-7th graders and Camp Tel Yehudah for 8th-11th graders), and Israel trips.

HOW DO WE BECOME INVOLVED?
If you (or your children) would like to be notified about our events, please contact the advisor(s) below.

OFARIM (Grades 3-5)

Amy Collins is the advisor for the Ofarim group. 879-2793. Amy spent her youth in Young Judaea and her summers at Camp Young Judaea, Sprout Lake and Camp Tel Yehudah. SheI met her husband David at Hillel at the University of Rhode Island. They have two children, Alec who is eleven, and Maddie who is nine. During the day she works at Chittenden Bank and also teaches Hebrew School at Temple Sinai. When she is not in work or mom mode, she likes to read and enjoys doing crafts.

TSOFIM (Grades 6-7)

Penny Pizer is the advisor for the Tsofim group. 399-2918. Penny Pizer, new to Burlington, has extensive experience working with Jewish youth. Combining her artistic talents with her love of Jewish theology and education, Penny has created and implemented programs ranging from preschool to confirmation to senior citizens. A major emphasis of Penny's work incorporates the concept of Tzedaka and Tikkun Olam. In addition to her teaching, Penny was selected as one of three U.S. Delegates to participate in the Jewish Partnership Program. This program traveled with delegations from Israel and South Africa to foster closer relationships and a deeper understanding of each others' Jewish Communities. Penny is also a published illustrator of a Jewish children's book. Her family includes her husband Chuck, sons Sam (19) and Bobby (12), and daughters Ashley (14) and Molly (10).

BOGRIM (Grades 8-12)

Miriam Sturgis is the Youth Director at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue as well as the advisor for the Bogrim group. Miriam has been leading Young Judaea groups at OZ for the last nine years. She loves the opportunity to help educate our youth about Judaism, Israel and Tikkun Olam. When not leading YJ, Miriam works as a family physician at the Georgia Health Center. She lives in Essex, is married to Gary and is the mother of Talia, Rebecca and Ariela. Call her if you want to help with YJ or have any questions about the Bogrim club or other YJ programs, such as summer camps or Israel programs. 879-0463.

Fran Pomerantz is the Assistant Youth Director at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue. Her degree is in Botany and Environmental Studies from UVM. She lives in Richmond with her husband Keith Kasper. Her children are Alex, Shaina and Hannah, who have all been involved in Young Judaea. Fran has also served on the Young Judaea Board. She's very involved in her children's education. She's been an at home mom for years and is a substitute teacher for the Richmond schools. 434-3443.

Elsie Goldman is the Programming Assistant for Young Judaea Northern Vermont. Some of you might remember Elsie from two years ago when she was a co-leader of Ofarim and Tsofim or through her involvement with the Temple Sinai Hebrew School, or maybe you just recognize her face from Stone Soup. Elsie was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas where she was extremely involved with her local Jewish youth group. She attended one semester and one summer of high school in Israel. She moved to Vermont in 2004 to attend Burlington College where she received her degree in Creative Arts Therapy. During the three years that she spent at the College, she worked at the Lawrence Barnes After School Program, co-teaching the kindergarten and leading classes in dance, painting, clay and cooking. She also worked at the Temple Sinai Hebrew School and co-led Young Judaea. In 2007 she traveled around the world, spending time in Peru, Morocco, Ghana, South and Western Europe and most recently, Israel! During the coming year, she plans on integrating her multi-cultural experiences in the YJ programming as well as the hands-on education in sustainable living that she received while living in the eco-village at Kibbutz Lotan. She is a true youth grouper at heart, ready to dive in and have a wonderful year. She hopes to get as many kids and families involved as possible, so please feel free to call or email her with any ideas or questions. 318-6584.

UPCOMING Young Judaea Events