YALA TEAM
Meet the dynamic team behind YALA (Young Adults, Leaders, and Alumni) at USCJ! Passionate about creating meaningful Jewish experiences for 20- and 30-somethings, the YALA team brings innovation, connection, and community to everything they do. From organizing impactful events to empowering young Jewish leaders, they’re dedicated to building vibrant spaces that inspire the next generation. Whether you’re looking to engage in transformative programs, connect with peers, or explore new ways to celebrate your Jewish journey, the YALA team is here to make it happen. Get to know the people driving this incredible initiative!
Director of YALA (Young Adults, Leaders, & Alumni)
Joyce Juda is the director of YALA, where, along with engaging and connecting our alumni community, she is currently working on expanding our impact to the 20s/30s age group. She is engaging young Jewish adults through YALA, hoping to ensure a continued connection for this crucial demographic to our Conservative/Masorti Movement. We strive for this connection to be meaningful, impactful, and relevant.
Joyce was the NERUSY/HaNer Director since 1983. In 2021, she became the USY Alumni Director and is now working as the YALA Director. USY was her first job after graduate school! Before her work with USY, Joyce worked several summers at Camp Ramah in New England. Joyce was a past board member of her home synagogue (Temple Emanu-El in Providence) and JYDA. Joyce has her bachelor’s from Brandeis University and a master’s of social work from Columbia University.
Joyce likes swimming, reading, crafting, and playing board games in her spare time. In the 1990s, she created a board game called Rhymation with her business partner, which was sold nationwide, including in FAO Schwarz.
NYC Area YALA Coordinator
Matan Kogen is serving as the part time NYC area YALA coordinator. Matan holds a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg (roll Mules!) and is a proud alumnus of Hagalil USY (he’s from Hagalil!). Matan also has connections to several Ramah camps (shoutout to Darom, Nyack, and DC!).
In his free time, Matan enjoys board games, learning new skills, and playing with animals. Click here to email Matan!
YALA Digital Engagement Coordinator
Shoshana Levine is the part time YALA Digital Engagement Coordinator. She earned two bachelor’s degrees in Judaic Studies and Sports and Society from the University of Arizona and is currently a first-year rabbinical school student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Originally from Los Angeles, she attended Jewish day school and Camp Ramah in Ojai. She brings a strong passion for community building and Jewish engagement to this role. Prior to joining the YALA Team, Shoshana worked as a programming manager for the Jewish Federation of Orange County.
For fun, Shoshana enjoys singing in choir and exploring New York City.
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