USY

Teens find a wonderful home to grow socially and spiritually with USY (United Synagogue Youth), the international teen organization of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. All Jewish high school students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to join. (Is your child in grade 5 through 8? Information coming soon!)

USY Chapters are Peer-led

Officers are elected each spring to serve the following year, and include president, vice presidents for membership, social action, programming, religious education, and Israel affairs. USYers plan events such as game nights, movie nights, ice skating, leading services, chocolate seder, a mitzvah fair and much more. Meetings and program timing vary each month.

We’re a Super “Superchapter”

Beth El’s USYers are part of a “superchapter,” West Hartford USY (WHUSY) which includes Beth El Temple, The Emanuel Synagogue and B’nai Tikvoh Shalom. This “superchapter” enables our teens to participate in USY activities with their friends from all over the community, regardless of synagogue affiliation. We also have members from other area synagogues and encourage all high schoolers to try it out.

WHUSY is a member of the Hanefesh Region USY covering all of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Regional events include weekend conventions with NERUSY (the Boston-area region), where teens have fun being Jewish surrounded by other Jewish kids. Other popular regional events include the semi-annual dances, the annual Boat Cruise, laser tag and more, as well as the International Convention which is held during the traditional December school break.

Super Chapter, Super Leader

We are fortunate to have Jason Kay as the WHUSY advisor.  After an amazing four years as a USYer himself in Albany, NY, he has spent more than 15 years as an advisor for various USY chapters, and is really enjoying working with the high schoolers in West Hartford.  His primary career is as an optical engineer working on technologies for space telescopes, and USY gives him a great outlet for Jewish community, programming, and education.  He lives in West Hartford with his wife, Arielle, and their three children, Ellie, Avi, and Jesse.  

2016-17 Officers

Presidents: Rachel Fiedler and Sydney Weiser 
Vice Presidents: Sarah Cohn, Zoe Friedman, Gabi Silver, Renee Silver

Please reach out to Jason with any questions or comments.  He can be reached at whusy18@gmail.com and (609) 651-0891.