USY lingo
What is a Chapter?
A chapter is the youth part of the synagogue that is affiliated with USY
What is the first event of every year?
LTI
Name 3 different ruach songs
Ana Bekoach, Kol Haolam Kulo, David Melech, Mi Pi El, El Hamayan, A zing vel zingen, Rosa Rosa, Adamah V’shamayim
Who was in charge of Far West before Katie and Darren?
Merrill and Darren
Who can you talk to if you have a question?
Your friends, People from your chapter, other USYers, or any staff member
Why is Sloach called Sloach?
Its called slow ruach AHHHHH
What event typically happens at Camp Ramah in California?
Encampment (explain what it is)
When do you do yump-a-dumps?
Mincha! Yump-a-dumps are little partially improvised skits during mincha that each represents one day of the week. USYers volunteer during the service to lead a yump-a-dump with their friends.
What states does Far West consist of?
Socal, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Hawaii (but only have active chapters in Socal, AZ, and Vegas)
Who is your YPO?
Darren and Katie!
What does RGB stand for?
Regional General Board (explain what it is)
Name 3 different activities that you would normally take place) at USY Kinnusim (not including meals)
Sicha, Sloach, Ruach, Mincha, Late Nights, Israel/SATO activity, Free time, Grade Bonding, Ice Breakers, and MORE!
What do USYers do during sloach?
When we aren’t online, USYers like to dim the lights, sit together on the floor, and lay on each other (CUDDLE PUDDLE!!!) while singing some of the slow ruach songs you guys learned about last night.
When was USY founded?
1951!
Is USY completely teen-led?
It is mostly lead by teens (more than you would expect -Ira), Teens lead most programming, plan kinnusim, lead services, run the social media page, and much more. Staff is there to help and make sure everything runs smoothly.
Explain the “Jewish Geography” Game:
A game you play with your friends. Many play by trying to connect Jewish families or friends to others through a series of questions and answers. (parents doing USY together)
What is IC and where was the last in-person one?
International Convention (explain what that is), Socal
What is the coin challenge?
The event that happens at the encampment to raise money for SATO. USYers who go to encampment are asked to bring as many coins as they can find, and Chapter/grade that brings the most money per capita gets to paint/pie someone in the face. All money raised is counted during the Saturday Night Activity by SA/TO RGB and winners are announced Sunday morning.
Who was in charge of Far West before Katie and Darren?
Merrill and Darren
Whose birthday is every event?
It’s Darren’s birthday! We celebrate it every regional weekend as a tradition. There isn’t really a good explanation for it, other than that we love wishing Darren a happy birthday
What does Cabinet mean?
The cabinet is the regional board which consists of 8 USYers who represent our region. They are elected every year at Convention by other USYers. The Cabinet is in charge of running their Regional General Board, running LTI, and much much more.
Why is Regional Convention (the one in May) unique compared to other kinnusim?
Senior goodbyes, elections, first event for 8th graders, always memorial day weekend so its always a day longer, banquet, chapter awards, and so much more.
Explain what Far West “Mincha” is
Unique to our region, we do a sing-song version of the Saturday afternoon service, with moshing and such. While usually, the mincha service is somber because of Shabbat ending but at USY we make it fun and exciting by celebrating Shabbat.
What the role of the Far West Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian is picked through the application process rather than elected. Their job is the run board meetings and far west elections, along with completing any other ambitions the person holds the position may have.
What is Katie’s favorite TV show?
Avatar: The Last Airbender (because it's the greeted show ever)