Superheroes In Action
USY convention focuses on friends,
fun, Jewish exploration.
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Area teens at the Central Region USY convention at Beth Ahm
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The convention provided time to bond.
8 weeks of unlimited access o Franklin Ath,e ic Club
Before, middle and after meas,irmerits
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n Shabbat Beshallach, when
we recall the heroic act of
Nachshon, who lead our ances-
tors across Sea of Reeds, youth ages 11
to 14, were transformed into superheroes
at the 2012 Regional Kadima Kinnus
(convention). Hosted by Congregation
Beth Ahm and programmed by the
Central Region USY, this event brought
together more than 125 youth from
across the Midwest, including 18 local
Detroiters, for a superhero-themed
weekend of friendship building, fun and
Jewish exploration.
In superhero style, kinnus partici-
pants welcomed Shabbat by leading
Beth Ahm's Kabbalat Shabbat service
with ruach (spirit), song and dance.
Shabbat festivities continued the next
day with the highlight occurring dur-
ing Torah reading. Together, Beth Ahm
members and kinnus participants rose
for the reading of Shirat Hayam (The
Song of the Sea). A kinnus superhero
then led the congregation in the Mussaf
service.
The ruach and leadership demon-
strated by the USY staff allowed the
Kadima participants to develop friend-
ships with other Jewish youth, explore
And SO much morel
Starting at just $2/-000
AlutTecbat
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For more info mation, plea5e cs,ontc,-,ct
Sarah Kuretzky
(248) 352-80a) f,3-xt. 506
Mernbership Service5 (248) 352-80X 01- 433
1-
ffil- •
•
29350 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, Ml 480341(248) 352-8000
36
March 15 2012
iN
1742970
and strengthen their own Jewish identi-
ties and know that "doing Jewish" is a
fun and life-long endeavor. While learn-
ing about Jewish icons, the participants
also learned about the values that made
them heroes. Courage, fortitude and
empathy will guide these youth as they
grow.
Although sad when the kinnus was
over, participants went back to their
Midwestern homes and our local syna-
gogues with the excitement of being a
Jewish leader by applying superhero
values.
To learn more the community-
building and social-justice impact
your child can have as "Mitzvah Kid"
at Congregation Beth Ahm, contact
Ilene Kahan at ifk913@yahoo.com .
Or, to learn more about program-
ming through USY, contact Vadim
Avshalumov at mcusyl@gmail.com or
search "mcusy" on Facebook.
In superhero-style, kinnus par-
ticipants extend thanks to Sharona
Shapiro, Linda Jacobson, Susan Feber
and Janice Traison for their help in
coordinating housing and event logis-
tics and to all of the local families who
hosted out-of-town participants. ❑