Child Safety

At USCJ and USY, we have high standards for child safety and we are committed to fostering a culture of safety and respect on every level. We are a member of the Safety, Respect, and Equity (SRE) Network and have a dedicated Department of Child and Youth Protection. We constantly evaluate and update policies and training materials to ensure alignment with established and emerging best practices. 

Our Department of Child and Youth Protection works with member congregations to strengthen their individual child safety policies and procedures and offer guidance on handling child safety concerns. Whether it’s at a USY event or within a USCJ member congregation, we strive to foster a safe environment where children can strengthen their connection to Judaism.

We provide support, training, and resources to USY at the local, regional, and international levels. We regularly evaluate programs such as USY on Wheels and regional conventions to ensure policy relevance and compliance. We handle any complaints of misconduct and misbehavior that occur at USY events or involve USY participants, ensuring that mandated reporting procedures in every jurisdiction in which USY operates are followed.

USY is committed to being a safe physical, spiritual, and emotional space for teens. You can report any inappropriate behavior by:

1. Submitting a confidential report online at this link.
2. Contacting Mauria Atzil, Director of Child and Youth Protection, at 210-441-1222 or [email protected]
3. Contacting any USCJ staff member via phone or email

Thank you for assisting us in keeping our children safe.

Important Note: These resources, recommendations, and guidelines are provided by The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) to its member congregations without any representation or warranty that they constitute best practices in any jurisdiction or with respect to any state of facts. Accordingly, USCJ assumes no liability to any member congregation or any other person with respect hereto. Any congregation or other person requiring a legal opinion on which it or they can rely to their legal or financial detriment in formulating child protection policies and practices should consult with retained legal counsel or other experts in the field.