USY, United Synagogue Youth is the youth group of the conservative movement. Our parent organization is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). USY membership however is open to all Jewish high school students. Membership in a conservative synagogue is not necessary.

USY was founded in 1951 and has grown and changed with the times. Currently there are 17 regions in USY. Mile High USY (MHUSY) is part of Emtza Region. We are the westernmost chapter in the region, and the only chapter in Colorado! Emtza Region is headquartered in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. Emtza includes Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Colorado, and a small piece of Wisconsin. The regional director is Bryan Goltzman.

Emtza Region has three major conventions during the program year for members in grades 9-12. These conventions are Kinnus, the largest event of the year, held over Thanksgiving break; Winter Shabbaton, held in the winter; and Spring Kallah, a Shabbaton plus Regional elections, held in April.  All three conventions are held at hotels, conference centers, or retreat centers. A separate convention, Kadima Kinnus, is held annually for just 8^th graders who are members of Kadima, the pre-USY youth group for middle school students. Towards the end of 8^th grade, Kadima members will begin to attend USY events with the high school students. Chapter members travel to and attend these events accompanied by our chapter advisor.  Details on these conventions and all regional events may be found at www.emtza.org

Participation in regional events provides the USY member with a network of Jewish friends across the region. Friendships often extend past high school into the college years and beyond.

The chapter however, is where most events take place. Traditionally in Denver, USY events are held either on the weekend or Wednesday nights. This is to accommodate the many high school students who attend Hebrew High on Monday nights. MHUSY events never conflict with Hebrew High.

Chapter events include pool parties, Shabbat dinners, visits to a corn maze, laser tag, Karaoke nights, Israeli nights, and skiing, as well as a number of community service types of activities. Male and female members participate equally in both social and religious activities, including services, which are egalitarian. Once a year the chapter holds a separate boys night and girls night out event.

Activities are planned and run by the members, under the leadership of an elected board and the chapter advisor, Michelle Nikolayevsky michelle@headenver.org. Michelle works under the direction of Youth Director, Stacy Wasserman, who can be reached at swasserman@headenver.org  Parents of members are not asked to, nor expected to plan or attend USY events.

MHUSY was formed in 2005 by the merging of two chapters, Denver Chai USY, based at Rodef Shalom, and Mcol Lev USY , based at the Hebrew Educational Alliance. During MHUSY’s first year, the chapter had two co-presidents, Lauren Bernton and Arielle Rubin, to assure equal representation from each legacy chapter. Ariella Epel served as chapter president in 2006-07; Sammy Forshner is currently serving as chapter president. 

The best way to find out about USY is to attend an event! Check this website or contact Stacy Wasserman at 303-758-9400, ex. 206 for information on MHUSY programming.