Joanna Powers - 610.351.0894

joannapowers@optonline.net

www.bnaiakiva.org

Bnei Akiva of the U.S. and Canada, the Religious Zionist Youth Movement, inspires and empowers the Jewish youth of North America with a deep commitment to our people, Am Yisrael, our land, Eretz Yisrael and our Torah, Torat Yisrael, through a wide variety of informal educational programs.

Bnei Akiva members strive to live lives of Torah V’Avodah, combining Torah learning and observance with active contribution to the Jewish people and society, to bring about the rebirth of the Jewish Nation on its land. Bnei Akiva creates leaders who assume responsibility for their community, who take initiative and who actualize the ideals of Torah V’Avodah by making aliyah.

Bnei Akiva programs for the Lehigh Valley chapter are generally held at Congregation Sons of Israel, 2715 West Tilghman Street, Allentown. There are Shabbat afternoon programs each week, as well as special events. Bnei Akiva welcomes all Jewish children between grades three and eight.

National Conference of Synagogue Youth

Sons of Israel

2715 Tilghman Street

Allentown, PA 18194

610.433.6089

www.njncsy.org

The Allentown chapter of NCSY is open to all Jewish children in grades 5 through 12 living in or around Allentown, regardless of background or any particular synagogue or school affiliation.

The chapter is divided into a junior division for grades 5 through 8 and a senior division for grades 9 through 12. NCSY is a multifaceted Jewish youth group offering social and educational programming in hundreds of communities across the U.S. and Canada.

For Jewish pre-teens and teenagers, NCSY is a relaxed, fun environment to learn about their own heritage. Throughout the school year, “NCSYers” enjoy building leadership skills, participating in chesed programs and getting involved with the Allentown community and other chapters. Some of the highlights of the year include Shabbatons (spending fun-filled Shabbatot with other NCSY chapters), ice skating, bowling, attending pro- sports games and concerts, snow tubing, scavenger hunts, chapter meetings, BBQs, movie nights and miniature golf. Some of our most popular programs include the NCSY Purim carnival, our pre-Passover car wash voucher sale, our delicious hoagie sale and the yearly NCSY trip to Six Flags Great Adventure.

NCSY’s programming begins on the chapter level. There are hundreds of local NCSY chapters across the country that offer educational and social events for Jewish teens. All chapters are part of an NCSY region, and there are 12 NCSY regions in North America. Each region runs programs bringing together the various chapters within its geographical area. The Allentown chapter is a part of the Etz Chaim region, which also includes many chapters in New Jersey.

NCSY’s history dates back to the 1950s, when chapters around the country began to form and were slowly woven into a national organization with well-defined halachic standards. Today, NCSY reaches out to both public school and yeshiva students who wish to increase their commitment to Judaism. It is not rare to find second-generation NCSYers at NCSY events around the country. More exciting than its past, however, is NCSY’s future. Still growing every year, NCSY is constantly adding new members and developing in new communities. Come be a part of one of the most exciting youth groups in the country.

Temple Beth El

1305 Springhouse Road

Allentown, PA 18104

610.435.3521

www.bethelallentown.org

The award-winning Allentown chapter of USY serves Jewish individuals from grades 8 through 12. As members of EPA-USY (the Eastern Pennsylvania Region), we are an integral part of the “Biggest Little Region in USY.”

Our Kadima chapter provides younger members of our congregation (grades 4 through 8) with an opportunity to join together in fun social activities, as well as programs that benefit others. Kadima also participates in programs with the USY group several times throughout the year.

USY organizes such activities as laser tag, bowling, billiards, corn maze tours, movie nights, plays, mall scavenger hunts and other fun programs. We participate in Schule-In’s, dances, USY regional conventions, international conventions and other larger events.

Our USY chapter has a governing board with elected positions that nurtures leadership in its members and encourages responsible roles in the planning and executing of programs and fundraising activities.

We provide the youth of our congregation and affiliated organizations with the opportunity to participate in local services for the community (including visits to retirement homes and other outreach programs), our synagogue (including involvement in youth-directed religious services), temple members, the religious school and other groups having needs) and individuals.  

We raise tzedakah for national, regional and local needs and help nurture those younger than us by encouraging them to participate in Kadima. Our governing board includes a membership position, indicating the importance of this relationship. 

We welcome all inquiries and look forward to answering questions and fulfilling the needs of those who are interested.

CBS USY is the Bethlehem chapter of Eastern Pennsylvania USY. For information, contact David Caine at 610.814.0558 or davidjcaine@yahoo.com or Executive Director Barbara Sharofsky at director@epausy.org.