USCJ Blog

Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a Way that He Would Approve: Updating Our Photographs for a New Age

Spotlight on Schechter Award Winner, Beth Shalom Congregation

We are pleased to feature the Schechter Award Winner Beth Shalom Congregation in Columbia, MD for their inclusion initiative, "Courageous Conversations."

This Rabbi is Breaking the Silence Surrounding Mental Health

Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner of Closter, New Jersey's Temple Emanu-El is breaking the silence that is often found around mental health.

A Vision of Extraordinary Care and Service: The VBS Counseling Center

Read about the counseling center at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, CA that is filling a congregational and community-wide need.

Living Room Memories of The Holocaust With Survivors

Every year, the USY community invites Holocaust survivors into their homes to share their stories. Read about this tradition and some of the amazing stories.

How This Congregation's Women's Retreat Filled a Need They Didn't Know They Had

In February 2019, Ohr Kodesh Congregation​ in Silver Spring, MD hosted a women’s retreat. The following case study was written by the retreat’s co-chairs.

The Afikomen Postcard Project: A Case Study of Teen Engagement and Staff Collaboration

Temple Beth El in Rochester, New York implemented a successful teen engagement collaboration between synagogue staff members and a local kosher business.

One USY Chapter's Commitment to Interfaith Programming

AI USY in Cincinnati, Ohio is committed to interfaith programming. Read about their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program and more.

Utica Synagogue to Celebrate 100 Years

USCJ-affiliated synagogue Temple Beth El in Utica, New York celebrates 100 years in 2019.

Innovation Earns Westport USY International Chapter of the Year

Read about Westport USY, the International USY Chapter of the Year winning chapter from The Conservative Synagogue of Westport, Connecticut.

A True Simcha on Simchat Torah

A congregant at Congregation B'nai Israel in St. Petersburg, FL writes about a Simach Torah program that deepened her connection with the Jewish people.

In California, Even Wildfires Can’t Extinguish USYers’ Determination and Spirit

When Far West USY's Encampment had to be cancelled due to the California wild fires, USYers joined together to create a USY Shabbat on their own.

Differently Abled at Ohev Shalom

Read about Community! @ Ohev, Ohev Shalom of Buck County's program that makes their synagogue a more inclusive environment to people of all abilities.

How Sixth Graders Turned an Idea into an International Event: Six Million Steps to Holocaust Awareness

Read about Temple Beth Torah Sha'aray Tzedek's Solomon Schechter award-winning program remembering those who perished during the Holocaust.

Teens Tackle Hard Questions With Torah Bytes, En Route to Jewish Leadership

Learn more about Torah Bytes, a program that allows Jewish teens to discuss contemporary topics through the lens of Jewish texts and modern-day teenage values.