Challenge and Change: History of the Jews in America
Youth Organizations & Camps
Alpha Epsilon Pi: The Jewish Fraternity
Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish Fraternity of North America, was founded to provide opportunities for a Jewish man seeking the best possible college and fraternity experience. They have maintained the integrity of their purpose by strengthening their ties to the Jewish community and serving as a link between high school and career. Alpha Epsilon Pi develops leadership for the North American Jewish community at a critical time in a young man's life.
American Jewish Society for Service (AJSS)
http://www.ajss.org/
Since 1950, the American Jewish Society for Service (AJSS), an independent, charitable organization, has been conducting voluntary summer work camps throughout the US. Why? Primarily in order to give young people an opportunity for serving their fellow men in need. Their projects usually involve the construction or repair of one or more buildings. They have built a school, a gymnasium, single family homes, barns, recreational facilities, a community center, installed water systems, repaired homes, etc. In 133 projects, they have worked in 46 states in such widely scattered places as New Mexico, South Dakota, New Hampshire, South Carolina, California and Kentucky; 17 projects have been on Indian Reservations. Boys and Girls applying must have completed Tenth Grade by start of camp.
The personal website of the leaders for our 2004 summer work project in Hood River, Oregon provides an example what our programs are like.
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO)
The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) is a trans-denominational youth led organization open to all Jewish teens and is affiliated with B'nai B'rith International. BBYO provides opportunities for Jewish youth to develop their leadership potential, a positive Jewish identity and commitment to their personal development. BBYO consists of three youth components designed to provide leisure-time programs of Jewish education, leadership, community service and recreation: Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) for ninth through twelfth grade boys; B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) for ninth through twelfth grade girls; Teen Connection for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls.
Bnei Akiva
Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada, the Religious Zionist Youth Movement affiliated with The Religious Zionists of America (RZA), inspires and empowers the Jewish Youth of North America with a deep commitment to our people, Am Yisrael, our land, Eretz Yisrael, and our Torah, Torat Yisrael through a wide variety of informal educational programs.
The Brandeis Bardin Institute
http://www.thebbi.org/mission.htm
Brandeis Bardin is a Jewish educational outreach resource for all Jews, whatever their age, wherever they may live throughout the world, whatever their own personal Jewish beliefs, and whatever the status of their Jewish Identity. It seeks "to touch and teach" Jews, to inspire them through their intellect and emotion, to enhance their connectedness to the Jewish people through the arts as well as academics, and to make a contribution to the advancement of Jewish culture as a means of Jewish identity.
Camp Ramah (3:43)
http://www.campramah.org/index.html
Camp Ramah: The Camping Arm of Conservative Judaism; Ramah is under the educational and religious auspices of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Habonim Dror
Founded in 1935, Habonim Dror (the Builders - Freedom) is a Progressive Labor Zionist Youth movement whose missions are: to build a personal bond and commitment between North American Jewish youth and the State of Israel; to create Jewish leaders who will actualize the principles of social justice, equality, peace and coexistence in Israel and North America.
Hashomer Hatzair
http://www.hashomerhatzair.org/
Hashomer Hatzair is a youth movement, based on the principles of Progressive Zionism, Social Justice, Progressive Judaism and self-actualization, and committed to peace and equality. It promotes a strong commitment to Israel, Jewish continuity, social justice and community responsibility and encourages the development of strong individual and group friendships. Hashomer Hatzair emphasizes the Jewish identity that is based on common ancestry, history and culture.
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
The largest Jewish campus organization in the world, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life provides opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity through its global network of over 500 regional centers, campus Foundations and Hillel student organizations.
Hillel's mission is to maximize the number of Jews doing Jewish with other Jews. Hillel actively seeks to engage uninvolved Jewish students on their own terms: to provide them with opportunities to do Jewish that are meaningful and appealing to them. Students are empowered to take responsibility for their Jewish identity, whether they wish to participate in a community service project, express themselves artistically, participate in a social event, engage in informal Jewish learning or attend religious services. Any student may participate in Hillel - no membership is required. Hillel is committed to a pluralistic vision of Judaism that embraces all movements.
Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel
Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel endeavors, through sports, to perpetuate and preserve the American Jewish community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity. This volunteer organization seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs.
March of the Living
The March of the Living is an international, educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built during World War II, and then to Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. The goal of the March of the Living is for these young people to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and to lead the Jewish people into the future vowing Never Again.
The National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) (3:43)
The National Conference of Synagogue Youth is affiliated with the Orthodox Union and is a multi-faceted Jewish Youth group which is open to all Jewish youth regardless of background and affiliation. Offering social and educational programming in hundreds of communities across the U.S. and Canada, NCSY is a leader in bringing unaffiliated youth an awareness of what Judaism is all about.
National Jewish Committee on Scouting, Boy Scouts of America 
http://www.jewishscouting.org/
The mission of National Jewish Committee on Scouting, working in cooperation with Boy Scouts of America, is to promote Boy Scouting among Jewish youth, to help Jewish institutions and local council Jewish committees to provide Scouting opportunities for Jewish youth, and to promote Jewish values in Scouting through program helps and the religious emblems program.
National Jewish Girl Scouts Committee, Girl Scouts of America
http://www.njgsc.org/
The National Jewish Girl Scout Committee is a non-profit organization which works in cooperation with Girl Scouts of the USA. Its functions are: to promote the Jewish Girl Scout award programs and religious services in Girl Scout Councils and to assist Girl Scout Councils in extending Girl Scouting in the Jewish Community.
North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) (3:43)
For over sixty years, the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) has offered thousands of young people the opportunity to explore and live Reform Judaism and is an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism.
Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute
Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute is operated under the auspices of the Union for Reform Judaism.
Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing!
Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing! is a values-based, transdenominational program that strengthens the self-esteem and Jewish identity of girls in grades 6-12. It draws on Jewish tradition to give girls a place to feel safe, articulate their questions and concerns, have fun, and be "real" with their peers. Through discussion, arts & crafts, and drama, the girls integrate core Jewish values as they focus on the things they care about most – such as body image, friendship, relationships, competition, stress, and family.
Tagli-birthright israel 
http://www.birthrightisrael.com
Taglit-birthright israel offers the gift of a first-time, educational Israel trip to young Jewish adults ages 18 to 26.
Taglit-birthright israel is an innovative program funded by a partnership between the people of Israel through their government, local Jewish communities (North American Jewish Federations through the United Jewish Communities, Keren Hayesod and The Jewish Agency for Israel), and leading Jewish philanthropists.
Who, What, When, How? Learn More>
United Synagogue Youth (USY) (3:43)
Kadima is the middle school age affiliate of United Synagogue Youth and The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Kadima is Hebrew for "forward".
USY, serving 9th -12th graders, is the youth arm of the Conservative Movement, affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. USY offers high school students opportunities to immerse themselves in various Jewish and social activities while forming friendships that will last a lifetime.
Young Judaea (3:43)
Founded in 1909, Young Judaea is the oldest Zionist youth movement in the United States and is affiliated with Hadassah. Young Judea is a pluralistic movement dedicated to instilling Jewish values, Jewish pride and a lifelong commitment to Israel. Young Judaea challenges Jewish youth-through clubs, conventions, camps, Israel programs and university campus events-to become involved in social and educational activities that develop and sharpen their senses of Jewish and Zionist identity.
