CJC YOUTH GROUP

The CJC Youth Group Dictionary

Over the past month, I have had the honor of meeting with many of you through the Shabbat open house, Religious school orientation and many other exciting events CJC has had to offer. I was not only able to meet with numerous members or future members, but many of the members of our youth group were able to get a better sense of what CJC's youth group is all about. At our "End of the summer celebration," we played many fun and exciting games such as "The Great Wind Blows", and at our regular U.S.Y. meeting, we had a fun scavenger hunt around the youth lounge. Though it has been so much fun getting to meet each of you, I feel that often times the terms used in the youth group are a language of their own. Thus, I have searched long and hard to find the words most commonly used within youth group, and created Commack Jewish Center's first ever Youth Group Dictionary. Please do not hesitate to cut, and affix to a refrigerator, or to create a wallet sized version to carry around at all times!

METNY (N. Met-nee) - The Metropolitan New York Region of USY (See U.S.Y.)

U.S.Y. (N. You-Es-Why) - United Synagogue Youth - The international Youth Group of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (usually meaning ninth through twelfth grade)

Kadima (N. Kah-deem-a) - United Synagogues' Youth Group for middle school (sixth through eighth grade)

Nitzanim (N. Nee-tz-a-neem) - Commack Jewish Center's Youth Group for third through fifth graders

Rakevet (N. Rah-Keh-Vet) - The eastern Long Island division of METNY U.S.Y. (See METNY and U.S.Y.)

Kinnus (N. Kee-nus) - A weekend-long program sponsored by a temple, participants lead services, engage in learning sessions, go to a dance on Saturday night and are housed by Temple members.

Shul-In (N. Shool-In) - Usually held from Saturday night after Havdalah to Sunday afternoon, a chance for members to go to a dance at a Temple and sleep over with friends (boys and girls do have separate rooms)

International Convention (N. Inter-na-shun-al Con-ven-shun) - A week long program (Hosted this year in Washington D.C.!) in which U.S.Y.ers stay at a five star hotel and meet up with thousands of teenagers just like themselves, from across the world. They then get to attend a "post" or "pre" convention where they are housed by a local synagogue with just their region (See METNY)

Lindsay Unger (Lin-zee Ung-er) - Commack Jewish Center's Youth director- She is responsible for making sure each member has the most fun possible. She loves hearing all of your input and can be reached at youthdirector@commackjc.org

CJC Youth Group (N. See-Jay-See You-th Groop) - Commack Jewish Center's Youth group - Not only known as the happiest place on earth, but it is a group that you do not want to miss out on being a part of!

I hope that this dictionary not only helps you to understand more about what youth group is all about, but now that you know the lingo, I hope that each and every one of you feels even more comfortable about coming to a Youth group events to try each of these things out!

B'shalom,
Lindsay Unger
youthdirector@commackjc.org

Still don't know why you should join USY?
Look at the calendar below. Come to our next program, I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Updated 06/04/2009