USY International Chapter of the Year Award Application

Region: HaNegev Chapter: COSY (Synagogue Emanu-El, Charleston, SC) Please list the following:

§ Total USY Membership as of June 30th 2013 o 11 USYers

§ Total USY Membership as of June 30th 2014 o 19 USYers

§ Total Tikun Olam Funds raised between July 1st 2012 and June 30th 2013 o $613

§ Total Tikun Olam Funds raised between July 1st 2013 and June 30th 2014 o $500 o This past year, one of our chapter fundraisers had to be turned into a

“transportation fundraiser” in order to rent a bus to attend Sub-Regional Spring Convention/Sub-Regional Kadima Convention. In 2013, we had 5 attendees. In 2014, we had 27 Kadimanicks and USYers. This is why our Tikun Olam contribution was less than the previous year.

§ Per Capita Tikun Olam Total between July 1st 2012 and June 30th 2013 o $55.73

§ Per Capita Tikun Olam Total between July 1st 2013 and June 30th 2014 o $26.32

§ Number of Regional conventions held per year and attendance from your chapter o Sub-Regional Fall Convention (Hosted by COSY) - 18 Attendees o Sub-Regional Spring Convention – 15 Attendees o Regional Spring Convention – 11 Attendees

§ Number of members in attendance at IC NOLA 2013 a. 3 Attendees

§ Number of members who went on a summer program in 2013 a. 2 Participants

Did your chapter allocate its Tikun Olam money? Yes.

Chapter Board

1. List all Executive Board positions and describe them in 1 sentence. a. The responsibilities of Chapter President include overseeing and assisting all

board members in the organization and execution of events and to assist in the promotion of USY to synagogue and Kadima members.

b. The responsibilities of the Programming Vice President include assisting other board members with the creation and execution of chapter events, working with the chapter board and advisors to create new concepts and ideas for future events, and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

c. The responsibilities of the Israel Awareness Vice President include informing USYers of current events in Israel, promoting USY summer programs and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

d. The responsibilities of the Religious Education Vice President include organizing all chapter religious services and educational programming, working with the Rabbi to organize USY Shabbatot for the congregation, and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

e. The responsibilities of the Social Action/Tikun Olam Vice President include planning all social action programs for the chapter, raising awareness within the chapter regarding social action issues, and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

f. The responsibilities of the Membership/Kadima Vice President include planning all aspects of promoting membership expansion and retention in the chapter, working on increasing the participation of current members, organizing and executing Kadima events, and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

g. The responsibilities for the Communications Vice President include updating and maintaining the chapter’s Facebook page and Facebook events, creating and distributing flyers for all chapter events, taking minutes at each board meeting, sending out Remind101 texts to the chapter and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

h. The responsibilities for the Chapter Historian include taking photographs at events, updating the chapter bulletin board in the synagogue, and assisting the president in carrying out their duties.

2. Does your chapter have a General Board or any yearlong committees?

a. Yes – Historian 3. Is your Youth Director/Advisor full time or part time?

a. Part Time 4. Are there any other staff members in addition to your Youth Director/Advisor?

a. Yes 5. List an approximate number of board meetings held per year.

a. 10 6. Does your Chapter President sit your synagogue’s Board of Directors?

a. no

Chapter Activity and Programming In 200 words or less per topic, please describe your best:

§ Israel Program o Israeli Inventions Awareness o The basis for this program is to educate USYers and Kadimanicks about Israeli

inventions and how important they are to society. Attendees were presented with a list of items used in daily life that were invented in Israel. They signed a contract to see how long they can go without using one invention. This promoted great discussion and debate between USYers on their knowledge of the inventions and why they believed they could or could not go without that specific item. The individual foregoing one invention the longest received an Israeli prize. The program was executed extremely well and most of the USYers learned how important Israeli inventions were to our everyday lives. The program was popular with both the USYers and Kadiminiks, yet the Kadiminiks took it more seriously by using inventions that are actually used by them such as voice control, while some USYers chose to not use their Iron Dome defense system. Overall, the program was highly successful with one of the highest number of kids and teens in attendance all year and the goal of the program was achieved as everyone was educated in Israeli culture and more of what it contributes to our world.

§ Rel/Ed Program o The Harry Potter-themed Sukkah Lock-In o Upon our arrival at the synagogue we said havdallah as a community then

explained the rules of the lock in. We began at the Sorting Kippah (from a predetermined list) to divide USYers into groups for the remainder of the lock in. After sorting all of the USYers we decorated socks to wear for Quidditch. We had two teams playing at a time, with the remaining two teams cheering for their favorite team. Post Quidditch, we congregated into the sukkah to discuss the importance of the seven species and our next program: Potions class. With the seven species on the table, the “house” which could create the most innovative and delicious treat won. The judges were the advisors/chaperones. Once a winner was decided and house points awarded, we had the wonderful opportunity of creating our very own wands out of pretzel sticks and icing. While everyone ate their finished products, a conversation was started about the importance of sukkot, keeping in mind the ‘magic’ (miracles) of sukkot, which proved to be a very interesting and meaningful discussion. Then everyone reentered the synagogue and settled down to go to sleep.

§ Social Action Program o COSY Café o COSY Cafe is a free event, though donations are welcome. We invited members

of the Jewish community to join us after the Mehgillah reading and have a homemade, southern-style breakfast. The cafe works like a diner; patrons are seated, waited on and served restaurant-style. In the social hall of the Synagogue, we set up large tables with donation buckets spread out in the room. There was also a dance floor with balloons and our mascot, our stuffed polar bear, Olaf,

sitting in the center, where kids could play while their parents and families enjoyed their meals. Our USYers volunteered to be waiters, runners, hosts, and kitchen staff. Some parents were also assisting with food preparations. As patrons entered, our hostesses led them to their tables. Each family received one menu on which they circled their order, quantity, their last name, and their waiter’s name. The waiters then brought the menu to the kitchen and served their customers their beverages. We started our kitchen preparations an hour before opening, providing ample time to prep the food and serve in a timely manner.

§ Tikun Olam Program o Jewish Hunger Games o This year for our Tikun Olam program we partnered with local BBYO and NFTY

chapters for a really inspiring and outstanding event. In honor of the second Hunger Games movie premier, each organization challenged their members and friends to bring canned goods to the premier in place of purchasing a ticket. All of the canned goods were donated to the local Kosher Food Pantry. Attendance was outstanding. The movie was completely sold out. The community donated 1154 pounds of food. Before the movie was screened, a representative from the Kosher Food Pantry made a quick presentation explaining their organization and how our donations made a difference.

§ Social Program o Videogames Come To Life o This was a USY-Kadima program. Everyone joined together for real-life versions

of their favorite videogames. The program began with a simple mixer to get acquainted. Atendees were then divided into teams, ensuring that USYers and Kadimanik's were intermixed. Our first game launched the popular app Angry Birds out of our phones. Teams were given birds (tennis balls) to launch at a series of stacked boxes. We then raced into the world of Mario with MarioKart. Here, several USYers and Kadimaniks squeezed into a cardboard box that served as their car and raced up and down the obstacle course. Now, it wouldn't be proper video-game themed event without an attempt to rescue the iconic Princess Peach and in our next game we did just that. Participants raced up and down an obstacle course, competing for the fastest time. They spun around a bat, weaved in and out of cones, climbed through hula-hoops, and hopped from chair to chair. During this last obstacle, team members stood behind chairs holding up plates simulating bonus points gained when grabbing coins. Finally, they reached the end and rescued Princess Peach. Throughout all three of these games, teams participated in a Ruach competition.

§ Overall Program o COSY Mascot Baby Naming o No Chapter should go without a mascot. As COSY entered it’s second year at

Synagogue Emanu-el, the chapter felt it was important to choose and name a mascot. With the help of our Rabbi and Advisors, one Shabbat was dedicated to naming the polar bear. USYers lead services, for adults and children, bringing the Ruach of USY to our community. The community members were aware of a special event but were completely surprised and amused when, after the haftarah reading, the Rabbi got up and started preparing for the baby naming. As a

community, it was decided that the Rabbi would be the one to decide the name and gender of our mascot. None of the USYers were aware of decision and were eager to hear our Rabbi’s decision. COSY’s polar bear was named Olaf (Ora bat Emanu-El) and the community was overjoyed to welcome HER into our congregation. It was an excellent opportunity for the congregation, after experiencing the U.S.S.Y. Ein Gedi Sub-Regional Fall convention, to once again feel the ruach of USY.

§ Program integrated into the synagogue community/ USY involvement in a synagogue-wide program

o Junior Congregation o Junior Congregation is a mini service for 2nd-6th graders. We facilitate creative

games and activities that incorporate prayers from the service. During the sermon each week, we gather all the kids for one hour to have Junior Congregation, and then we all join back into the main service so the kids can go onto the Bimah and conclude the service. This gives the kids a motivation towards coming to synagogue every week, and it also demonstrates the enthusiasm that comes with praying. The kids also get a glimpse of what it is like to be a USYer. Our presence hopefully encourages them to become more involved with our Kadima and USY groups. The USYers have taken on the role of leading and planning each and every Junior Congregation. This provides our USYers with the extra opportunity to show their potential and expand upon their leadership skills by organizing a creative service.

Supplemental Documents for Programs Israel Program Israeli Inventions Challenge The basis for this program is to educate USYers about Israeli inventions and how important they are to society. USYers will be presented with a contract (below) and will sign over a certain Israeli invention and see how long they can go without using it. Before we give them the contract we will present several of the inventions and talk about great Israeli inventors and other contributions to society. The person who goes without their invention for the longest will receive an Israeli prize (most likely chocolate). I,___________________, hereby agree to not use my fabulous Israeli invention of ____________________ for as long as I can. Hopefully this program can help to demonstrate the influence Israeli inventions have across all forms of society, not just defense and technology. Israeli Inventions (Please pick one you actually have or use!!!)

• Cell Phone • Swallow-able pill camera • USB flash drive • Laser Keyboard • Electronic Dictionary • Intel Processors • The basis for Siri (Voice control) • ReWalk • Viber, an international texting

app • Waze, the most popular GPS app

worldwide • GetTaxi, an app that allows

customers to order a cab • ICQ, more commonly known as

texting

• Fish Farming, which is responsible for most of the fish eaten today

• The seeds from which 90% of cucumbers come from

• Couscous • The battery • The Wonder Pot which can bake

things on the stovetop • Artifical Gills (not gillyweed

from Harry Potter!!) • Rummikub the game • Drip Irrigation • The Iron Dome

The program was executed extremely well and most of the kids learned how important Israeli inventions were to our everyday lives, not just warfare and water preservation. Most of the kids did not know that voice control was invented by Israelis, and none of them knew that cucumber seeds were invited by Israelis either. The program was popular with both the USYers and Kadiminiks, yet the Kadiminiks took it more seriously by using inventions that are actually used by them such as voice control, while some USYers chose to not use their Iron Dome defense system. Despite the lack of choosing the appropriate inventions, most everyone abided by their contract of how long they wanted to refrain from using their invention. Overall, the program was highly successful with one of the highest number of kids and teens in attendance all year and the goal of the program was achieved as everyone was educated in Israeli culture and more of what it contributes to our world.

Religious Education Program Harry Potter Sukkah Lock-In Goal of the program: to learn about Sukkot and have fun while making new friends Activities:

• Havdallah • Review of Sukkot and the Harry Potter books • The Sorting Kippah: sort everyone into their respective houses (teams for the rest

of the evening) • Socks: Master has given Dobby a sock! Decorate knee-high socks for your house • Quidditch (like the game from the books) • Potions class: use the seven species to create a delicious ‘potion’ • Wand Making in the Sukkah with a short D’var and discussion: making wands

from pretzels • Free time/bedtime

Preparation:

• Havdallah set • siddur • Sorting Kippah: a kippah • Socks: knee-high socks in many sizes, puff paint, fabric markers, ribbons and glue • Quidditch: balls and brooms • Potions class: seven species for four teams, bowls/cups, utensils, plenty of

napkins • Wand making: thick pretzel rods (one or two for every person attending), icing,

sprinkles, assorted toppings, plates, plenty of napkins Implementation: Upon our arrival at the synagogue we said havdallah as a community then explained the rules of the lock in. We began at the Sorting Kippah (from a predetermined list) to divide USYers into groups for the remainder of the lock in. After sorting all of the USYers we decorated socks to wear for Quidditch. We had two teams playing at a time, with the remaining two teams cheering for their favorite team. Post Quidditch, we congregated into the sukkah to discuss the importance of the seven species and our next program: Potions class. With the seven species on the table, the “house” which could create the most innovative and delicious treat won. The judges were the advisors/chaperones. Once a winner was decided and house points awarded, we had the wonderful opportunity of creating our very own wands out of pretzel sticks and icing. While everyone ate their finished products, a conversation was started about the importance of sukkot, keeping in mind the ‘magic’ (miracles) of sukkot, which proved to be a very interesting and meaningful discussion. Then everyone reentered the synagogue and settled down to go to sleep.

SA/TO Program COSY Café In order to raise money for SATO, we held COSY Cafe in the synagogue social hall. COSY Cafe is a free (donations welcome) event we host for people in the Jewish community where they can come in and have a homemade, southern breakfast. We had it right after the Megillah reading so that people could come right in, sit down, and eat. The cafe works like a restaurant, requiring tables, chairs, and a room large enough to have people walking around and socializing as well as waiters bringing food, plates, and drinks back and forth. We had seven tables set up around the room— each with something for donations in the center— with a dance floor in the middle with balloons and our mascot (our stuffed polar bear, Olaf) sitting in the center, where kids could play while their parents and families enjoyed their meals. We had our USYers volunteer to be waiters, runners, hosts, and kitchen staff and asked a few adults to help out in the kitchen, since an unsupervised group of teens working the kitchen isn’t the safest idea. We made sure to have all of our volunteers where they needed to be before allowing guests in, and as they entered, our hostess led them to their tables and gave them silverware and menus. Each family received one menu, on which they circled what they wanted, specifying how many of each thing, their last name, and their waiter/waitress. The waiters then brought the menu to the kitchen and served their customers their drinks. In the kitchen, things ran as smoothly as possible. We started preparations an hour to an hour and a half before opening, which gave us plenty of time to start preparing everything so that people could be served as quickly as possible. We had a runner, who communicated between the kitchen and the dining room, making sure that the waiter knew who he/she was delivering to, the cooks were getting orders right, etc. Whenever we host a COSY cafe event, we have a theme that is incorporated into the event as much as possible. This time, our theme was Disney, so our volunteers all dressed up as Disney characters, our menu was Disney themed, and even our balloons had Mickey Mouse on them. A theme that would be really fun to do could be Ellen’s Stardust Diner (the famous diner on Broadway where the waiters preform while customers are eating). USYers could wear outfits similar to the uniforms and break out into song every once in a while. Since the cafe profits from donations, the singing could give a perfect opportunity to remind customers of the donation buckets. Since the cafe was on Purim, we also sold Shaloch Manot bags at the front of the room for $4 a piece for some extra money as well as our COSY T-shirts for $10 a piece. COSY cafe is a wonderful opportunity for SA/TO as well as letting our community know that our USY chapter is around and giving to the community as well as that USY is an organization full of great teens that want to work hard.

Tikun Olam Program Jewish Hunger Games This year for our Tikun Olam program we partnered with local BBYO and NFTY chapters for a really inspiring and outstanding event. In honor of the second Hunger Games movie premier, each organization challenged their members and friends to bring canned goods to the premier in place of purchasing a ticket. All of the canned goods were donated to the local Kosher Food Pantry. Attendance was outstanding. The movie was completely sold out. The community donated 1154 pounds of food. Before the movie was screened, a representative from the Kosher Food Pantry made a quick presentation explaining their organization and how our donations made a difference. Kadima/USY Joint Event Videogames Come to Life "Videogames Come to Life" was a joint USY and Kadima program. COSY and Kadima joined together for real-life versions of their favorite videogames. The program began with a simple mixer to help people learn each other's names. Better acquainted with one another, we split up into teams, ensuring that USYers and Kadimanik's were properly intermixed. Our first game launched the popular app Angry Birds out of our phones. Teams were given birds (tennis balls) to launch at a series of stacked boxes. The two teams were asked to elect one Kadimanik and one USYer to do so. We then raced into the world of Mario with the all time favorite MarioKart. Here, several USYers and Kadimaniks squeezed into the cardboard box that served as their car and raced up and down the obstacle course. In order to keep with the video game's tradition of obstacles, lightweight plastic balls were thrown from the sidelines. Now, it wouldn't be proper video-game themed event without an attempt to rescue the iconic Princess Peach and in our next game we did just that. Participants raced up and down an optical course, competing for the fastest time. They spun around a bat, weaved in and out of cones, climbed through hula-hoops, and hopped from chair to chair. During this last obstacle, other team members stood behind the chairs holding up plates in an effort to simulate the bonus points gained when grabbing coins. Finally, they reached the end and rescued the beloved Princess Peach. Throughout all three of these games, teams participated in a Ruach competition (cheering=points). This helped keep everyone alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic. We found this event to be highly engaging for both Kadimanicks and USYers. This event has been talked about all year long. During the course of the event, it was noticed that the USYers were very welcoming and encouraging to the Kadimanick. No participant felt left out. There has been an overwhelming request to make this an annual event.

Synagogue Involvement COSY Baby Naming – March 1, 2014 USY/ Kadima/ Rakevet Run Time: About 2 ½ Hours Expected cost: Free Place: Synagogue E-manuel Materials Needed: 1. Participants for Shabbat Service- Torah readers, Shacharit leader, Musaf leader, etc. 2. Mascot Instructions: 1. Make sure all USYers are as friendly as possible, welcoming congregants into the shul and service. Polar Bear on Bimah. 2. Begin the Shacharit service with some opening remarks on the importance of this day and the Baby naming of our mascot. 3. Proceed through the regular Shabbat service, making sure to emphasize USY tunes if possible. 4. Keep spirits and the general mood happy and lively as services progress into Torah service. 5. After the Haftorah, it is time for the Baby Naming. 6. The Rabbi should then proceed with the Baby naming, unveiling both the Mascot’s English and Hebrew name. Have the congregation sing “Siman Tov v’Mazel Tov” 7. Continue with Shabbat services. 8. Nearing the end of Musaf, have all USYers and kids go to the Bimah for the concluding prayers (Aleinu, Adon Olam). 9. Give any special announcements about upcoming USY events. Shabbat Shalom! Any special notes to make the program the best ever: Really allow for that special USY feeling to permeate this Shabbat. Keep spirits high and happy- but most of all, have fun. Our mascot Baby Naming was a once-in-a-lifetime program that engaged both youth and all aged-congregants in the excitement of our newly formed Chapter. Our Mascot - a girl - Olaf, or Ora bat Emanu-El, brought joy to many as our sanctuary was filled with many youth and their families giddy to find out the name. It was an excellent opportunity for the congregation, after experiencing the U.S.S.Y. Ein Gedi Sub-Regional Fall convention, to once again feel the ruach of USY.

Junior Congregation Junior Congregation Mad-Lib Shacharit Length: 1 hour Junior Congregation is a mini service for 2nd-6th graders. We facilitate creative games and activities that incorporate prayers from the service. During the sermon each week, we gather all the kids for one hour to have Junior Congregation, and then we all join back into the main service so the kids can go onto the Bimah and conclude the service. This gives the kids a motivation towards coming to synagogue every week, and it also demonstrates the enthusiasm that comes with praying. The kids also get a glimpse of what it is like to be a USYer. Our presence hopefully encourages them to become more involved with our Kadima and USY groups. The USYers have taken on the role of leading and planning each and every Junior Congregation. This provides our USYers with the extra opportunity to show their potential and expand upon their leadership skills by organizing a creative service. This specific program was “Mad-Lib Shacharit” service, where we had the kids fill in blanks in some prayers to create new prayers of their own. This program was so successful that it was used the morning of RGBW. Supplies needed:

• 5 poster boards • 5 prayers (in English and Hebrew) from Shacharit • Sharpie or anything to write on poster board • sticky notes

Pre-Shabbat, choose an assortment of short prayers from the Shacharit service and write them on poster board in English while leaving 3-5 blanks instead of the actual words. Take those omitted words and write them on individual sticky notes, making sure to write the name of the prayer it belongs to on the back. Continue this process until all of your chosen prayers have been written out. Shabbat morning, play an icebreaker with the kids to make sure everyone knows each other. Then divide the kids into groups based upon the number of prayers written out (5 prayers = 5 groups). Give each group a poster board and their respective sticky notes. Have each team complete a challenge to be able to choose a word for the blank space. This can be anything from hopping on one foot for 60 seconds to naming 5 cities in Israel or reciting the alphabet backwards. The winner of the challenge gets to fill in the blank. Then the next team will complete a task and choose one word for the blank on their board. Continue this activity until all the blanks on all of the posters have a sticky note. As a group, read each prayer aloud with the new combination of words and have the kids guess the name of the prayer. Then recite the prayer (in Hebrew or English) as a group. Continue until all posters have been read and each prayer was said. Close with a brief summary of how sometimes reading the prayers in different languages can be fun and provide a more meaningful experience.

1. List 6 other chapter programs held in the past year with a 1-sentence description of each program.

a. Messy Olympics: After electing our 2014-2015 chapter board, COSY stepped outside to pay tribute to the Greeks in our whipped creme soaked, smile-bringing, food slinging, Messy Olympics.

b. Fourth Friday: Every fourth Friday of the month, the COSY Polar bears gather together in our youth lounge for Friday night and Saturday morning services, a delicious Shabbat dinner, a themed sleepover, and well-enjoyed Tom foolery.

c. Bonfire: After ending Shabbat with a Havadallah service that combined each groups favorite conditions, Jewish teens from NFTY, BBYO, and USY bonded as they roasted s'mores over a crackling bonfire.

d. Olaf’s First Birthday (COSY’s Second): To celebrate a year of having a chapter mascot, we had a birthday party for Olaf the polar bear filled with ‘toddler’ themed games such as trike races, messy eating competitions, and polar bear coloring pages.

e. Leadership training: At our leadership training evening, the seniors and the young leaders led activities to help teach new leaders the highlights of what they had learned at USY leadership training conferences throughout the year.

f. Tashlich Dinner: COSY attended Tashlich services and Mincha/Ma'ariv with the congregation and then returned to COSY Headquarters for a traditional Rosh Hashanah dinner full of apples and honey and our usual Ruach and camaraderie.

2. List the average number of members in attendance at each chapter program. a. 11 USYers

3. List approximate number of programs or events held per year. a. 2011-2012: 4 events, 1st year b. 2012-2013: 8 events, 2nd year c. 2013-2014: 30 events, 3rd year

USY Involvement with the Kadima Chapter

1. Do you have a Kadima Chapter? Yes 2. Does the chapter have a Kadima Board? If so, what positions? No 3. Is there a Kadima Advisor? If so, is he or she full time or part time? Is he or she also your

USY advisor? Yes – part time, USY advisor. Describe in 200 words or less the relationship between your USY and Kadima Chapters. As a chapter, COSY has an extremely strong relationship with our Kadimaniks. COSY’s Membership and Kadima Vice Presidents, Chapter Presidents, and other USYers have organized and led the Kadima events. Just as the USY chapter had a birthday party to choose a mascot, the Kadimaniks also celebrated one and received a penguin as their mascot. But the connection between the Kadimaniks and USYers goes beyond mascots and events. Fortunately for our chapter, Spring Subs and Kadima Convention of 2014 were held at the same location and same weekend, which enabled us to welcome the Kadimaniks and ensure they had an amazing time. The COSY Kadimaniks had a USY "buddy" who gave them a goody bag, hugs, and checked in with them consistently. The connections made at this convention continued upon our arrival

home, and helped to make Kadimaniks feel more at home with Kadima and excited to be a USYer. The buddy system also helped the USYers feel that they had helped to share their great experiences with younger kids, and they could also be a positive role model. All of these connections have helped to strengthen COSY as a chapter, from 6th grade all the way to 12th. Communication Describe in 300 words or less your chapter’s means of communications, e.g. phone call trees, listservs, newsletters, flyers, bulletin board, synagogue announcements, webpage, Facebook group/account/page, Twitter account, Snapchat account, etc. Feel free to include up to THREE samples of any phone call trees, newsletters, flyers, etc. If any sample is longer than one page, such as a chapter newsletter, please include a sample of up to three 8.5”x11” pages. In addition, if you have a chapter website, please include ONE screenshot of the homepage.

COSY’s methods of communication are what keep our chapter close and informed. Our main form of communication is the COSY Facebook group. By having a group, as opposed to a page, all COSY members are able to post, comment, and be more involved in conversations. Our group is constantly updated with current USY events, information, and sometimes just a hello. In addition to a COSY member-only group, which includes our youth advisor, director, and rabbi, we have groups for our chapter board and parents.

Another vital form of communication for COSY is Remind101. This app allows us to send short reminders and updates to members, especially when we’re in a time-crunch. Only the chapter president(s) have access to this account, so it is used only when it’s crucial to get word out fast. When we want to communicate in a more personal way, we simply call our COSY members. By using classic communication, like phone calling, COSY is able to individually contact our members so we can relate on a better level. Along with these extremely useful means of communication, our Synagogue allows COSY to have an article featured in their monthly publication, the Scroll. By having our members write articles, the congregation can view our upcoming events, see which USYers are leading services, and learn more about our events. COSY also has a bulletin board in the synagogue, which is maintained by our chapter historian. We decorate this board monthly with pictures, pamphlets about USY programs, and flyers for events. All of these methods for communication greatly contribute to the stability and unity of COSY.

Supplemental Communications Documents

Optional In 300 words or less, please let us know of anything else you feel we should know. This portion must be written by either the Chapter President or Chapter Executive Board. When our synagogue announced USY as their youth group in 2012, no one really knew what was to come out of it. Essentially, we were given a house, but from that foundation we built a home. I cannot count the number of times that I have heard “COSY is family” or “COSY accepted me like no other place did.” Our family has been growing rapidly over the past year; we brought six people to Regional Convention in 2013, which was almost the entirety of our chapter. In November of 2013, when we hosted the Ein Gedi Fall Sub-regional Convention, we had three times as many people. We have only grown from there. After Fall Sub-regional Convention, we truly carved a name for ourselves in HaNegev USY with our strong inter-chapter, sub-regional, regional, and even international friendships. Yet the growth in the region started with the growth in the community. The Rabbi invited our chapter president to speak on Rosh Hashanah services, which reached people that may not have had the opportunity to know about COSY otherwise. Soon COSY became a well-known word within the synagogue from Kadima to grandparents. As our numbers grew, so did our leaders. Our senior involvement led to a leadership training night, which included both our only senior and our young leaders. This opportunity sparked something within us, because the number of chapter board positions has grown as well as the number of people represented on Regional General Board. When we won the Slinky Award at Spring Sub-regional Convention in 2013, we were blown away. For us, it was never about winning anything. We were always just doing what we love for the people we love. We were never doing these things because someone asked us- we were doing them because we wanted them for ourselves. Written by Jasmine Hubara, 2013-2014 Chapter Programming Vice President

Letter of Recommendation from 2013-2014 Chapter President, Abby LeRoy To Whom It May Concern,

The first event done to kick off the 2013-2014 USY year was a "First Birthday Party." To me, this program perfectly embodies my year as a Chapter President. As a newly championed one year old, we had already begun to walk. Remarkably, COSY quickly progressed from tottering around to running. I do not mean to suggest that COSY rushed through things, nor am I insinuating that we moved too quickly to be organized or enjoy the journey, let alone the view. I fully believe that COSY ran through the 2013-2014 year with long, graceful strides. The rich love our chapter members feel for each other, the Kadimaniks, and Conservative Judaism as a whole behaved like runners legs-strong and supportive. Charleston's Jewish community soon filled our sidelines, excitedly cheering us on. At times, we ran out of breath and would have to stop, panting, willing ourselves to go on. In the end, we finally made it to the finish line.

Why do I compare my chapter to a runner? I do this because running is a sport that truly focuses on personal improvement. I believe the 2013-2014 year could easily be dubbed COSY's personal best. In that year we became closer and stronger. While we did have the honor of winning numerous awards, the creative, persevering, compassionate members of COSY did not set out to win any of them. Instead, we tried our best and had fun while doing it. I can thusly say in total honesty that I believe COSY deserves to win International Chapter of The Year.

Thank you. Abby LeRoy

COSY 2013-2014 Chapter President Ein Gedi 2014-2015 Subregional Vice President

Letter of Recommendation from Chapter Advisor, Kayla Sculnick

As a second generation USYer, I understand the passion, dedication and enthusiasm these USYers exert into their chapter. Their perseverance and commitment does not stem from greed, but from love. I have never met a more involved and passionate group of young adults. Their desire for a USY chapter came from their active involvement in the community. It was not that they wanted to stop being involved; they wanted to somehow contribute more than leading services, providing day care, and organizing junior congregation.

The first year of our membership to United Synagogue Youth proved to be a success. Starting with six, excited and willing young leaders, they paved the way for what COSY has become today. After that very exciting and successful year, we hosted Ein Gedi’s Fall Subregional Convention. So many community members came to services that Friday night and Saturday morning to experience what their sons, daughters, grandchildren, cousins, etc. had been raving about. That was the weekend when COSY went from being “for the kids” to becoming “for the community”.

Parents are becoming more involved, offering to drive to conventions, helping to set up events, encouraging their children to run for chapter board, and so much more. COSY really does embody what it means to be part of a Kehillah (community). COSY has become a family, within the greater family of our synagogue.

I am so proud of our family; of what they accomplish and what they aspire to achieve. These are the worlds’ future leaders; I cannot wait to see what they do for us all.

USY International Chapter of the Year Award Signature Page I hereby submit this chapter for consideration for the “International Chapter of the Year” award. By signing this document, I agree that all information provided in this application is true to the best of my knowledge and understand that the application is subject to removal at the discretion of the International Executive Board if false information is found. I testify that this document and its contents was compiled and completed only by the USYers of this chapter. Chapter Presidents: _________________________________________________________ Noa Leigh Hubara Nate LeRoy Chapter Youth Director/Advisor: ________________________________________ Kayla Sculnick Synagogue Youth Chair: ________________________________________ Daphne Hubara Regional Youth Director: ________________________________________ Stephanie Nichol Synagogue Rabbi: ________________________________________ Rabbi Adam J. Rosenbaum