Looking Forward to USY Summer Programs!
Message from Jennifer Fisher,
Assistant Director of Immersive Experiences
This summer, USY teens from across North America are gearing up for unforgettable experiences that combine adventure, learning, and deep Jewish connection. Whether they’re serving meals at Second Harvest Heartland, or participating in global service through IMPACT: Dominican Republic, our teens will live out their values while building leadership skills and lifelong friendships.
From exploring the natural wonders of Joshua Tree National Park and the historical significance of Mount Rushmore to diving into the civil rights legacy at The Legacy Museum, USYers on programs like Wheels Classic will journey through places that educate, inspire, and challenge them. Those on YUVAL Yisrael will connect more deeply with Jewish peoplehood, culture, and spirituality in the heart of our homeland. Across all three programs, teens will celebrate Shabbat with welcoming congregations across the country and world, strengthening their Jewish identity in meaningful and joyful ways.
And the momentum doesn’t end when summer winds down. We’re already building excitement for the 2025–2026 program year, featuring a dynamic calendar of events. Synagogue professionals can explore what’s ahead and help their teens plan for an incredible year by visiting usy.org/events.
Message from Eitan Gitlin,
Impact DR Group Leader
This week, an excited group of USYers landed in the Dominican Republic for an unforgettable journey filled with learning, service, and connection. From the moment they arrived, the teens were buzzing with anticipation—helping one another navigate the airport, laughing as they figured out the local snacks, and immediately diving into conversations about the week ahead.
The program kicked off with a powerful orientation on the beach, where the group began exploring the story of Jewish refugees in Sosúa and the shared histories that connect the Jewish and Dominican peoples. Over the next 10 days, they’ll be running day camps at a local school, painting a symbolic mural, and deepening their understanding of global Jewish resilience—all while bonding as a USY community and embracing Dominican culture through food, music, and meaningful conversations.
We can’t wait to see what this incredible group will take away from their time together.
Message from Benjy Behrman,
Director of Education and Israel Programs
After twelve difficult days in Israel, we are delighted that the Yuval Yisrael group will arrive in Israel as planned on July 9th. There was a point during the war when we felt that we could not run the program and sent a cancellation letter to the participants and their families. However, the ceasefire was announced shortly after that, and we could pivot again and reinstate the program.
Thirteen teenagers have chosen to join us and explore Israel at this historical moment in the country’s history. We will learn about the rich history of the Jewish people in our ancestral homeland, explore the beauty of the land itself, and discover the tapestry of Israeli society. All of this will be done in the context of everything Israel has experienced over the past 21 months. We look forward to a truly historic and meaningful summer in Israel with our teens.
Message from Rachel Pistol,
USY on Wheels Group Leader
This week, a group of 24 enthusiastic USYers embarked on our journey around the country for a summer filled with adventure, joy, and community. We started in New Jersey, spending the first day together with many ice breakers and opportunities for group bonding before departing to start our Cool, Cheerful, Classic summer. We are making our way through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana to arrive in Chicago for our first of six Shabbatot together.
USY prides itself in being an inclusive community where finances are never a barrier to participation in our programs. Please consider making a donation to USY. This will allow us to continue providing these immersive experiences and grant scholarships to teens who need them.
