When most people hear the term “youth group,” they think of church groups or religious ministries that are specific to each church. However, when most Jewish people hear the term “youth group,” we think of USY.
United Synagogue Youth, or USY, is youth organization that has been run by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for more than 60 years. With over 350 chapters throughout the USA and Canada, USY engages young Jewish teens in meaningful Jewish experiences of all sorts. There are local chapters within synagogues, all of which are included in larger sub-regions and regions. Each individual chapter hosts events throughout the year, such as weekly get-togethers, lock-ins and even scavenger hunts around the city. Sub-regional, regional and international conventions are held as well, bringing the teens who are part of this organization together and creating new friendships that wouldn't have come about otherwise.
I just started attending events about 7 months ago, and I officially joined USY a little over 5 months ago. It took my friends two and a half years to convince my stubborn self that I would have the time of my life there. I always said, “Jewish youth group? Sounds kind of silly.”
I finally gave in and agreed to go to an event back in January. I bonded with old friends and made connections with new ones. I partied hard with them on a limo, then was sleep deprived and cranky right alongside them when we went to work the next morning. I ate cake at midnight and played card games at 2:30 in the morning. I laughed at jokes like “chartreuse emus” that only a few people will ever understand. I then went home and beat myself up because I realized all that I have been missing out on for the past two and a half years. I decided that it was time I stopped missing out on the chance to make memories for a lifetime and started seizing them, one by one.
There are numerous ways I could describe what Sababa (the local chapter) USY means to me. I could say that it has “changed my life forever” or that I have “gained another family” or that it allows me to “connect more” with my Jewish community. To a lesser extent than most all other Sababa USY members, to me those reasons are all true.
I can never make up for lost time, lost memories or lost events. I can’t get back those years I spent being stubborn no matter what I do. I wish I had listened to my friends earlier on, but instead of focusing on that aspect of it, I look excitedly towards the future rather than disappointingly on the past.
"Don't dwell on the past. Your history can't be erased. But your future has yet to be written. Make the most of what's going to happen instead of worrying about what you can't change. Don't waste your time being sad, because you're wasting away moments in which you could be happy."
-Unknown
This year, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Join a new club or group you've always thought about joining, but never have. It's never too late to join. Yes, you may have missed out on some jokes and memories in the past, but it's in the past for a reason. New memories are being made all the time, so go out and make yourself a part of them.
For all of you Jewish teens out there, go and get yourself involved in USY. I promise that you'll be welcomed in with open arms, smiles and people who will quickly move from friends to family. The experience, to say the least, is really quite cool.
And what's cooler than being cool?