USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH INTERNATIONAL BOARD COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Ways to submit your application (choose only one):
1. Email your application to [email protected].
2. Fax your application to 212-353-9439 (attention Rabbi Dave Levy)
3. Mail your application to:
United Synagogue Youth
General Board Application
120 Broadway, Suite 1540
New York, NY 10271
Applications are due Sunday January 29th. The USY Officers meet soon afterwards and
reserve the right to not consider any application that arrives after the due date.
Please read carefully.
Directions:
1. Your name and the position you are applying for must be on the upper right hand
corner of all pages of your application.
2. Your entire application, including personal information, position specific responses,
and general essay, must be typed.
3. If emailing your application, the entire application (personal information, position
specific responses, general essay, and picture) must be in one attachment. No additional
attachments will be opened.
4. Proofread. Typos will only harm you. May the autocorrect tool be with you.
5. Any applications that are not formatted according to the above specifications will be
sent back and need to be resubmitted.
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
Serving as a USY International Committee Chairperson is an extremely rewarding experience.
Committing yourself to the responsibility of a committee allows one to contribute expertise
in a specific area of USY International Leadership.
However, before applying for a board position, there are a few things you should consider:
Q: What are the qualifications needed for a board position?
A: While there are no defined qualifications necessary, the officers will be choosing
chairpersons based on prior experience in the field of the position for which you are
applying. You should know what skills are needed to perform the duties of that position, and be
certain that you possess them. Your past USY work should reflect a great deal of interest, hard
work, and dedication. With the exception of the position of International Convention Chair,
current 12th graders are not eligible to apply for board positions.
Q: Must I have set goals in mind when applying?
A: You should have in mind some basic goals that you aspire to accomplish. Of course, the
more specific goals are formed when the committee begins working together.
Q: Do I have time to devote to a board position?
A: Only you know that for sure. Any USY Board position is going to involve time and effort.
You may find that coupled with your current schoolwork and extracurricular activities (not to
mention your first semester of college if you are a senior), you simply don’t have the time for a
board position. Try to anticipate what your time limitations are and will be. You may want to
speak with a past or current board member in order to get a better idea of what the time
commitments will be.
Q: What standards are required of International Committee Chairs?
A: USY Constitution Article V, Section 5:
Introduction: As leaders of USY, the Officers serve as accessible Jewish role models
(dugmaot) to the USY constituency. In that capacity, they are expected to aspire to become ideal
Conservative Jews, reflecting a strong commitment to Jewish survival and the performance of
mitzvot. Therefore:
1. The Officers of United Synagogue Youth shall observe the Sabbath and Jewish
Holidays with regard to the Responsum of the Rabbinical Assembly pertaining to
Travel, and by refraining from all school examinations and public functions thereon.
(The Jewish Holidays include Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot
and Simchat Torah).
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
2. The Officers shall observe the dietary laws where possible in private and at all time in
public.
3. The Officers will foster a safe and inclusive community. USY leaders should serve
as the embodiment of USY’s Zero Tolerance policy towards bullying, and create a
welcoming environment.
4. The Officers are expected to hold themselves and each other to the highest ethical
standards. This includes refraining from Lashon Hara (gossip) and treating others with
Kavod (respect).
5. The Officers shall participate in some mode of Judaic study for not less than three
hours weekly; they shall attend not less than four religious services monthly, three of
which must be on the Sabbath.
6. The Officers will strive to model healthy Jewish dating choices. These include
recognizing the importance of dating within the Jewish community and treating
each person with the recognition that they were created Betzelem Elohim (in the
image of God).
7. It is expected that the leaders of the organization refrain from the illegal use of drugs
and the illegal use of alcohol.
8. The Officers shall participate actively in the affairs of their respective Chapters, and in
all of the activities of their respective Regions.
9. The provisions contained herein shall also apply to the remainder of the membership of
the International General Board of USY as well as all members of Regional
Executive USY Boards.
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
International Convention Chairpersons ~ Overseen by President Noah Lee
The IC Co-Chairs will serve as the planning force of International Convention. They will
plan and execute every aspect of the convention, including facilitating the convention
committees. Candidates should outline an educational theme, a number of detailed and creative
programs, and any past experience that may help the candidate perform the duties of co-chair.
This position requires a large amount of work and commitment, including many long phone
calls, visits to Chicago, and late nights.
(2 people)
USY Summer Experience Outreach Chair ~ Overseen by President Noah Lee, in
conjunction with the entire IEB
This committee will focus on increasing participation for USY’s Summer Experience:
USY on Wheels, USY Israel Pilgrimage, and DREAM USY. They will be responsible for
developing innovative ways to promote the unique opportunities that these experiences can
provide. Applicants should be comfortable speaking to new people, utilizing social media to
advertise these programs, and coming up with new programs to be used by Summer Program
groups over the summer. It is expected that members of this committee have participated in
a USY Summer Experience. Members of the committee will have the freedom to make wholly
newfangled outreach mediums to engage more USYers. It is also expected that each member
reflects on personal experience with summer programs in order to help improve the experiences
of others. Although the position is in direct correspondence with the President this year, be
prepared to collaborate with each Vice President regarding different aspects of our summer
programs.
(2 people)
NOAM Partnership Coordinator ~ Overseen by President Noah Lee and past NOAM
Coordinator Dani Goodman-Rabner
USY is dependent upon its relationship with the Conservative Jewish communities, not
only within North America, but also within the greater Jewish Diaspora. Our identities as North
American Jews are only a part of the diverse mosaic of the Jewish people. The development of
USY’s relationship and connection with NOAM Olami --our sister youth movement associated
with Masorti Judaism-- is crucial for the growth and progress of our movement. This chairperson
will solidify the currently existing partnerships between individual USY regions and their
respective NOAM sniffim. This person will oversee the implementation of a NOAM
representative from each USY region and the execution of that region’s continued participation
within the USY/NOAM Partnership Program. This person must be open-minded, passionate,
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
hard working, and able to understand the true significance of this relationship and the
ramifications it will have for the global Masorti community and its future generations.
(1 person)
Israel Affairs Committee ~ Overseen by Israel Affairs Vice President Joshua Bienstock
Each person’s connection to the land of Israel is unique. For some it is a second home,
while for others it is a place to connect to our shared history. Our purpose as the Israel Affairs
committee is to find creative ways to educate teens about Israel to help each one develop their
own personal connection to the State. The committee will be responsible for creating and
overseeing new and existing initiatives as well as the implementation of those initiatives on the
international level. Committee members are also expected to support and work in tandem with
the regional and chapter Israel Affairs VPs on other initiatives and programming. We are looking
for dedicated leaders, full of new ideas, educated about Israel and passionate about showing the
country in every possible point of view in order to fulfil our goal of connecting more teens to
Israel in more diverse ways than ever before.
(3 people)
Religion/Education Committee ~ Overseen by Religion/Education Vice President Jared
Rogers
The Religion/Education Committee will strive to empower USYers to embrace Jewish
experiences and education by making Judaism more spiritual, accessible, and enjoyable for all.
Throughout the year, committee members will be expected to support each other and their
regional counterparts in developing new international initiatives and in building on the success of
current projects. Through continuous collaboration, the committee will also be responsible for
improving, standardizing, and organizing existing materials and creating new ones to serve
individual USYers, chapters, regions, and summer programs. Furthermore, the committee will
oversee the rejuvenation of the Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society by encouraging
participation and by analyzing how the club can best serve USY. The overall goal of the
committee this year is to connect all of USY with meaningful and educational programming to
enhance both comfort and connection with Jewish practice.
(3 people)
Social Action/Tikkun Olam Committee ~ Overseen by Social Action/Tikkun Olam Vice
President Joshua Eiger
In the coming year, the Social Action/Tikun Olam Committee will work to expand the
understanding of SA/TO on the international level to as many people as possible. The committee
will work to make Social Action/Tikun Olam stronger on every level by improving the
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
connections between the SA/TO IGB and the regional and chapter SA/TOs. They will also be in
regular contact with the regional SA/TO VPs. They will work to revitalize the 613 Mitzvah
Corps, change the way we market the Tikun Olam Program, as well as continuing and refining
various social action projects. The committee will also be responsible for working to further
refine the allocations process to ensure that it is as efficient as possible. The committee will work
together to move Social Action/Tikun Olam in a new direction, where USYers better understand
Tikun Olam and are further enticed by social action.
(2 people)
Membership/Kadima Committee ~ Overseen by Membership/Kadima Vice President Isaac
Bensignor
This committee will help assist in determining how we can ensure the future of USY and
Kadima. These members will be responsible for preparing helpful materials, publications, and
new programs to retain and further expand the membership of USY and Kadima. Some of the
focuses of the 2017 Mem/Kad IGB will include fostering a better relationship with Ramah camps
and private Jewish day schools and devising programs and initiatives to help create a welcoming
environment for new and prospective members. Each chairperson will also be responsible for
communicating with his or her regional counterparts. If you are selected, you will be charged,
empowered, and enabled to accomplish the goals you aspire to accomplish, while also
contributing to the goals set by the other members of this IGB committee.
(2 people)
Communications Committee ~ Overseen by Communications Vice President Zachary
MonteLeon
The communications committee will focus on developing new, creative ways to generate
publicity for USY. The communications IGB will work with the communications vice president
and international USY in an effort to spread the word about what USY has to offer, and to better
connect regions, chapters, and USYers with each other. They will help run USY’s online blog,
Achshav, along with other communications initiatives. It is recommended that applicants have
experience in the communications field, including but not limited to working with websites,
graphic design, social media, and/or video production. Each chairperson will also be in
communication with their regional counterparts throughout their term. The “Comm”-ittee will
put every effort into connecting USYers across all of International USY.
(3 people)
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
Applicant Information
Please type your responses.
Please attach a recent photo of yourself to the email/fax/snail-mail.
Name: ___________________________________ Age: _________
Grade: _________
What position(s) are you applying for? ______________________________________________
Chapter: ____________________________
Region: _____________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone: (_____)-______-____________
Email:______________________________
Chapter, Regional, and International Experience:
Extra-curricular activities other than USY:
Anything else we should know about you?
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
General Essay (Required)
This portion is perhaps the most important part of the application. There is no word limit, but try
to keep the focus on your ideas for each of the positions you are applying for.
For those applying for International Convention Co-Chair: This essay should be extremely
detailed and jam-packed with specific, creative, and original ideas for this year’s International
Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
Prompt: Please explain why the position(s) interest you and give a detailed account of ideas you
would initiate as chairperson. This is an opportunity to bring up your own ideas and initiatives
and how they could be implemented. Please know that USYers who apply for IGB positions will
be selected not only for their ability to propose ideas and initiatives, but also for demonstrated
ambition, effort, and tenacity.
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
Short Answer Questions (Strongly Encouraged)
Please read carefully.
Directions:
Please answer ONLY ONE of the short questions, below, that corresponds to the position(s)
you’re applying for. Be sure to indicate which question you are expanding upon in your
submitted response.
Where applicable, please review the vision statement and build your answer in response to this
information.
International Convention Co-Chairpersons
There are no short answer questions for this position. Please include all of your packets, .pdfs,
visuals, etc. with your general essay.
USY Summer Experience Outreach Chair ~ Overseen by President Noah Lee, in
conjunction with the rest of the IEB.
Short Answer Question:
 Describe your most memorable USY Summer Experience moment in a way that “sells” it
to a prospective participant. Attempt to evoke the feeling of your trip through your words.
Paint us a picture.
 In what way would you promote USY Summer Experience in your region? Briefly
describe a new program/initiative that gets USYers excited about attending a summer trip
and prospective members interested in learning more. Get creative!
NOAM Partnership Coordinator ~ Overseen by President Noah Lee, and past NOAM
Coordinator, Dani Goodman-Rabner
Short Answer Question:
● How do you envision the development of the current partnership program between USY
regions and NOAM sniffim? What are some of NOAM’s strengths that could benefit
USY? What are some of USY’s strengths that could benefit NOAM?
● What do you hope to accomplish as NOAM Coordinator? How do you imagine this
partnership might influence the future of both the NOAM and USY communities and
the overarching Masorti community?
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
● What values does Masorti Judaism offer, and how would you use those values to improve
our global communities?
● As the NOAM Coordinator, how would you coordinate continued communication
between USY regions and NOAM sniffim throughout the year? What are some ways in
which you will ensure the continuity of this relationship?
Israel Affairs Committee ~ Overseen by Israel Affairs Vice President Joshua Bienstock
Vision:
The Israel Affairs committee’s mission is to help connect USYers to the Jewish state with more
perspectives in more ways than ever before. Successful projects such as ‘USY Goes BIG Day’
and Israel 360 will be implemented and enhanced, whereas programs like the Chalutzim Club
will be reevaluated and implemented in new ways. Also, new projects such as an Israel video
news series, regular editorial submissions on Israel issues, and a summer program testimonial
book will further enhance our overall mission.
Short Answer Question:
How would you as a member of the Israel Affairs committee contribute to the goal of reaching
more USYers and perspectives in more ways than ever before? Please use the initiatives listed in
the vision paragraph although you may include some of your own ideas to complete your answer.
Religion/Education Committee ~ Overseen by Religion/Education Vice President Jared
Rogers
Vision:
One of the primary roles of the Religion/Education committee is to make Judaism more
appealing and accessible to all USYers in hopes that they will adopt new Jewish practices and
learn new Jewish skills. By building on current projects such as TorahBytes, an online program
in which USYers from across the continent come together to learn about and discuss interesting
topics within Judaism, and by initiating new ones, we will be able to accomplish all this and
more. New projects this year will include an international Tefillah Goals program, an
instructional video series on Tefillot and Ruach, and an initiative to standardize and organize
Rel/Ed resources from across USY.
Short Answer Question:
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
In your opinion, what is the best way for Jewish teens to connect and engage with Judaism? How
will you make this mission a reality through one of these projects, or through one of your own?
What would your vision, implementation plan, and goals be?
Social Action/Tikun Olam Committee ~ Overseen by Social Action/Tikkun Olam Vice
President Joshua Eiger
Vision:
In the coming year, the Social Action/Tikun Olam Committee will work to expand the
understanding of SA/TO on the international level to as many people as possible. My first goal is
to make SA/TO stronger on every level by improving the connections between the SA/TO IGB
and the regional and chapter SA/TO VPs. The committee will actively communicate with the
regional and chapter SA/TO VPs and create a support system for all chapter counterparts by
expanding the resources we provide for them. This includes expanding the range of different
causes we provide resources to program about.
The second goal is to shape a new vision for how we market the tikun olam program by
explaining where donations go; as such, USYers will get a better grasp of the program as a
whole. We will also refine the allocations process to make it as efficient as possible by creating
simple documents that outline the specifics of the many organization’s proposals. Furthermore,
we will maximize the impact of the allocations process by publicizing the event so that USYers
have a conscious understanding of the process, the causes, and mitzvot associated with the Tikun
Olam Fund.
In the coming year, we will move social action in a new direction through educating USYers
about a variety of issues, rather than focusing on one cause throughout the year. We will work
together to forge a Tikun Olam Fund USYers believe in and create well-rounded social action
initiatives for USYers to make more of an impact.
Short Answer Question:
Are you more passionate about social action (volunteering, advocacy) or tikun olam
(fundraising)? Further, how will you use this specific passionate to help execute one of the stated
initiatives and bring it out to its fullest potential? Please do not respond with both; it’s important
to assemble a team with balanced strengths.
Membership/Kadima Committee ~ Overseen by Membership/Kadima Vice President Isaac
Bensignor
Vision:
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
My vision for this year’s Mem/Kad IGB is multifaceted. The committee will be focused on
coming up with a multitude of new icebreakers to be used in any USY and/or Kadima setting.
Icebreakers play an integral role in “making or breaking” someone’s (first) event and it’s
important that we make sure everyone feels comfortable and engaged when attending
conventions. Innovative icebreakers requires a creative mind.
The committee will also be focused on standardizing the Kadima program (across all regions).
Many regions have their own forms of Kadima, yet, with the standardization, we will be able to
maximize our efforts for as many middle schoolers as possible. The end goal is unity, and not
uniformity.
Lastly, the committee will be responsible for collaborating with Regional Presidents to ensure
that a “Grade Rep” position is offered in each region this coming year. For those regions that do
have the position, this committee will help make the voices of representatives of each grade
heard on the regional level. Providing and collecting feedback is an important way of continually
improving upon what we have.
Though this is my vision, the accomplishments of the Mem/Kad IGB 2017 are not limited to just
what is contained here – I'm excited to hear what each of you have to say, too. Please share any
other ideas of what you’d like to see accomplished this year.
Short Answer Question:
All applicants should answer the first bullet point question.
● With what new approach will we be able to counter the decline in membership of USY
and Kadima? Please provide example(s) of how you will accomplish this.
● If you are interested in being a part of one of the following committees, please consider
addressing the following specific questions, too:
○ Icebreakers:
■ Please briefly describe two new icebreakers that you have come up with.
○ Kadima Clean-Up:
■ Briefly describe a program in which you would like to see a part of the
new Kadima Program Bank.
■ Briefly describe what you “bring to the table” in regards to accomplishing
the goals of this new position.
○ Grade Reps:
■ What new program would you like to see ran on the Regional level
(facilitated by the Regional Grade Reps)?
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
Communications Committee ~ Overseen by Communications Vice President Zachary
MonteLeon
Note:
While your general essay will express your ideas and leadership strengths, your short answer
response should reflect on your personal preferences, creativity, and skills in the communications
field. These skills will prove important in initiatives that include, but are not limited to providing an array
of content for USY’s online blog Achshav, and providing USYers with the tools they need to start their
own international programs.
Short Answer Question:
o Written as a tweet, in no more than 140 characters, explain why you would be a
great fit for the Communications IGB. Spelling doesn't count, and you may use as
many hashtags as you see fit.
o Put together a brief video or an audio recording (no longer than one minute)
explaining why you would be a great fit for the Communications IGB. You may
do anything you wish to express your personality and/or your skills. For example,
you may speak in front of a camera or a microphone, present your application as a
news broadcast, present your application through an art form such as music or
poetry, or whatever you can come up with.
o Attach an Instagram-worthy photo that you believe demonstrates why you will be
a good IGB member. Include a caption to explain your work. You may use as
many hashtags as you see fit.
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USY INTERNATIONAL BOARD
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON APPLICATION
Name:
Position:
Please print, sign (you, your parent/guardian, your regional youth director, and your chapter
youth director), and either scan this page and include it in the email that you send OR include
this page in your snail-mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I,
_______
, pledge to fulfill my responsibilities as a
member of the USY International Board. I will observe the standards as designated by the
USY Constitution.
USYer’s Signature: ____________________________________________________________
Parent’s Signature: ____________________________________________________________
Regional Youth Director’s Signature: _____________________________________________
Chapter Youth Director’s Signature: ______________________________________________
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