USY Chooses Canadian Teenager to Lead Organization
The United Synagogue Youth (USY) International Convention held in December in Orlando, Florida, was marked by many elements common to past years: age appropriate educational programs, diverse social activities, and a commitment to social action. This year, however, one tradition was broken as David Goldberg, a teenager from Canada, was elected international president of the group. Goldberg, a student from Ontario and president of USY's Eastern Canadian Region (ECRUSY), became the first Canadian to hold this position.
According to Jules Gutin, director of youth activities for The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, USY's parent organization, "Since its inception in 1951, USY has included chapters in Canada from Quebec to British Columbia. Canadian members have always been involved and represented on all levels of USY leadership, and several have served as officers. Having a president from Canada emphasizes the truly 'international' nature of USY."
Over the past four years, USY international presidents have hailed from diverse locations, including Florida, California, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Goldberg's fellow officers this years also represent a wide range of geographical areas, coming from Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Colorado. Marilyn Wind, chair of the USCJ National Youth Commission, notes that "While ECRUSY is one of our smallest regions, David came to know many of his fellow USYers through his active participation in USY summer programs."
Like his predecessors, Goldberg will devote himself to helping his peers prepare for leadership in the Conservative Movement. He will also work to unify the 17 regions of the organization, ensuring that members of the Canadian region feel less isolated. According to Goldberg, such unity will help make the voices of the youth heard on important issues affecting Israel and the Jewish world. His interest in USY is not surprising. David's father Joel was ECRUSY president in 1972-73, while uncles Mark Goldberg and Judah Silverman also served as regional presidents.
Over 1200 USY members attended the Orlando convention, which emphasized the value of Torah study and how it relates to the challenges of everyday life. In a social action project entitled "Be My Guest,"students received and visited with hundreds of senior citizens from the Orlando area who came to the hotel to share a meal as well as intergenerational programs and events. Next year's convention will be held in Toronto, the fourth time the group has met in that city.
USY, the high school affiliate of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, is comprised of 17 regions with over 400 local chapters. Along with its pre-teen affiliate, it includes 25,000 members throughout the United States and Canada.
