A new group of teen leaders now make up the board of the Kansas City chapter of USY (KCUSY), and they have created and announced new USY programs in addition to continuing to facilitate traditional programs. One new program is Second Saturdays.
Stemming from the board and staff’s conclusion that teens wanted meaningful programs that create a sense of community, excitement, and fun, Second Saturdays was born.
“Many Jewish teens struggle to find the ‘fun’ side of Judaism, and USY is the perfect place to explore what that looks like,” said KCUSY President Ellie Glickman.
The monthly program, which, as the name implies, occurs on the month’s second Saturday, changes each time in order to keep participants engaged and make sure that something is offered for everyone’s interests.
On Sept. 10, for “S’mores and Sloach,” the first Second Saturdays event, teens gathered at Congregation Beth Shalom, where, under the guidance of Hazzan Tahl Ben-Yehuda, KCUSY board member Sid Linafelt led a Havdalah service. The service was livestreamed online for community members.
“We often forget that teens have spiritual souls, and they love this aspect of camp and of their Judaism. For many of our kids, camp is the happiest place on earth, and USY is a taste of camp year-round,” Hazzan Ben-Yehuda said.
Teens had the opportunity to socialize over a bonfire as they made s’mores before heading inside for “sloach” (a calm USY song session). The songs were from the very first KCUSY song book, which was compiled of songs submitted from KCUSY members through an Instagram poll. Songs ranged from Jewish summer camp staples such as “Erev Shel Shoshanim” to songs such as “Wagon Wheel” and “Imagine.”
“I think it's a great way to mix the religious side of Judaism with the cultural side of Judaism,” Linafelt said.
“The concept of Second Saturdays was conceived by the KCUSY board and wouldn’t have been the success that it was if it wasn’t for their vision and hard work,” said KCUSY Director Ben Novorr. “This remarkable group of teens understands what Jewish teens are seeking and made it happen for themselves and their peers. ‘S’mores and Sloach’ was only the beginning.”
Many more KCUSY Second Saturdays programs are planned and are open to all Jewish teens from 8th-through-12th grade. The events will be advertised on the KCUSY Instagram account (@kcusy) and through email. Ben Novorr can be emailed for addition to the email list or for more information about KCUSY involvement at .