It’s an award-winning season for teen youth group members of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield – on multiple levels. At the spring convention of the Chicago region of United Synagogue Youth or CHUSY, the USY chapter from B’nai Tikvah was named Chapter of the Year for the entire region that covers northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. And when all the honors were announced, B’nai Tikvah teens brought back a total of 17 awards recognizing efforts at raising charitable donations to benefit others, known as Tzedakah, best Israel-themed programs, best positive social action events and recognition for other programs over the course of the school year.
B’nai Tikvah USY member Steven Sacks received an additional honor at the convention, being elected to the CHUSY Regional Board as Executive Vice President. In that role, he’ll have the opportunity to guide all CHUSY member chapters in the year ahead.
“Our USY members work hard all year at planning great programs and events for everyone ranging from high school to pre-school age,” said Sam Rodin, Director of Informal Education and the USY chapter at B’nai Tikvah. “It’s great to see everyone rewarded for their dedication to our community. Our USY chapter president, Stephanie Brill, has helped drive everyone to set the bar high for students who will follow in her team’s footsteps as our chapter leaders.”
The CHUSY region consists of youth groups from 12 regional conservative synagogues stretching from Chicagoland, McHenry County, Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana. USY members are typically high school students in grades 9-12. Middle school students may join the Kadima youth group, featuring students in grades 6-8. For more information on Congregation B’nai Tikvah and its youth programming, please visit www.bnaitikvah.net/youth or call 847-945-0470.
