By Emily Gilburt ‘16

United Synagogue of Youth (USY), an organization for Jewish middle and high schoolers, proves the importance of forming lasting friendships created through the eyes of religion and similar beliefs and ideals. USY, despite educating its members on Judaism, primarily focuses on building friendships and finding a safe place to be yourself. Due to the open and welcoming environment and with the help of friends and countless deep discussions pertaining to important and controversial topics, it is easy to discover oneself and develop qualities of a leader.

In USY, each member tries to be warm and inviting. The staff and preexisting members make an effort to ensure new members and shy peers feel more at home and accepted. “USY has taught me that not only do we like to be included, but everyone else wants to be included as well. With that knowledge, I have come from being shy and timid to being overly joyed and loud,” explained junior Elon Kline.

USY shares the importance of friendship and acceptance throughout each event. “I just think it’s a good environment to be in,” added junior Molly Bayewitz. “Everyone is so understanding of each other and everything is so relaxed. I’ve been in USY since 6th grade and it’s always played a huge role in my life.”

There is something about being a part of a youth group- that special “X-factor” that makes the entire program so special. “We kinda develop a family, I guess you could say,” noted junior Jacob Ginsburg. Although throughout the year there are only a number of events, Bayewitz said that members continue to return in order to revisit the relationship they make.

Friendship is the greatest aspect of USY. The experiences of weekends away at the beach, rock climbing, color war, countless dances or going to Hershey Park and Kings Dominion with other USYers is priceless. “My friends got me into it [USY] and I made new friends. I’m still in USY because that first time I attended an event, I made friends for life. And, I go back whenever I can to make new ones and see the old ones,” said Kline.