| Jewish Student Union | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2002 |
| Affiliations | National Conference of Synagogue Youth, BBYO, Jewish Community Centers, Jewish camps, Young Judaea, Hillel, StandWithUs, AIPAC, Jews for Judaism |
The Jewish Student Union, or JSU is an organization aimed at educating youth in public schools about the Jewish culture, heritage, and religion. The mission of Jewish Student Union is "to enhance teens’ Jewish identity, nurture a connection to the State of Israel, inspire an enduring relationship with the Jewish people and provide for a deeper involvement with the Jewish community, including serving as a portal to facilitate life-long involvement in Jewish inspired expression and organizations." [1] JSU currently has clubs throughout Canada and scattered throughout the United States. JSU began in California, and now has grown to operate clubs in 23 states and 3 Canadian provinces.
Having started in 2002 by Rabbi Steven Burg of the Orthodox movement's youth group, NCSY, the JSU has since grown as an independent organization. [2] JSU heavily relies on volunteer Jewish professionals to run clubs, yet has begun hiring full-time professionals in recent years as a result of large grants. One such grant allowed the organization to rapidly expand under this model in 2010. [3]
The Jewish Student Union (JSU) is currently chaired by Barry Wallach of Glencoe, IL. Their Executive Director is Susan Holzman Wachsstock, formerly of Hillel. [4]
JSU partners with a variety of Jewish organizations to provide programming, including National Conference of Synagogue Youth, BBYO, Jewish Community Centers, Jewish camps, Young Judaea, Hillel, StandWithUs, AIPAC, Jews for Judaism, and others. JSU receives funding, including donations of in-kind support, from Jewish Federations in a number of cities, parents, community organizations, the Orthodox Union, and private foundations.