Jewish Youth Assembly - World Jewish Congress

Learn about global Jewry. Engage in the issues facing Jewish communities today. Make your voice heard.

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About

The Jewish Youth Assembly (JYA) is a multi-day conference for students aged 15-18 to learn about Jewish communities around the world and discuss the most pressing issues facing the Jewish people today. Replicating the World Jewish Congress’s (WJC), structure, students at JYA gain an inside look into the WJC process and build techniques to problem-solve issues of concern to the Jewish community across the world. The conference allows students to collaboratively work to represent specific communities, conduct research on their history, learn about the issues the WJC is tackling, and speak directly to represented communities and expert leaders. This interactive experience culminates in crucial reports that serve as the collective voice of Jewish youth across the world in day-to-day deliberations of the World Jewish Congress.

In 2023, 80 students from over 24 countries came together to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Jewish communities today. Together, they drafted 6 resolutions, networked with their peers from around the world, met leaders of Jewish communities, and heard from world renowned speakers. You can learn more about last year's Jewish Youth Assembly by clicking here.

What a student can expect

Gain an understanding of global Jewish communities

Meet topic experts and Jewish community leaders

Network with peers from countries around the world

Engage in detailed conversation on the future of the Jewish people

Learn from today’s top Jewish voices

Build your CV and prepare for your University experience

Jewish Youth Assembly by the Numbers in 2023
80
Students
24
Countries
6
Resolutions
25
Sessions

The Jewish Youth Assembly Breakdown

The Jewish Youth Assembly will take place virtually on 26 February and 5 March 2023. Both days will range from 3-5 hours in length. Each session introduces students to new information, allows participants to engage with community leaders and topic experts, or discuss pressing questions related to our Jewish future. In between sessions, students will have time to learn about other opportunities, network with their peers, and meet Jewish leaders from the World Jewish Congress network. In between the two Sundays, students will have opportunity to learn valuable skills related to public speaking, writing resolutions, and diplomacy through on-demand video sessions made available exclusively to JYA participants.

Sunday, 26 February 2023

Session 1

A welcome to the Jewish Youth Assembly with the World Jewish Congress.

Session 2

Meet with your Jewish community delegation and hear from top Jewish leaders of your community.

Session 3

Introduction to your committee, learn about the issue at hand with topic experts.

Resolution Writing & Skills Training

Weekday On-Demand Session 1

Learn how to develop and draft resolutions

Weekday On-Demand Session 2

Meet with public speaking experts

Weekday On-Demand Session 3

Learn what diplomacy means in 2023

Sunday, 5 March 2023

Session 4

Meeting with your community delegation and bringing committee topics into the perspective of the Jewish communities.

Session 5

Reconvene with your committee and finalize your resolutions.

Session 6

Meeting of the full Jewish Youth Assembly, featuring plenary speakers, presentation of resolutons, and more.

Application

JYA is open to individuals aged 15-18 years. Exception is available for those outside that age range but completing their last two years of high school/secondary school. Proficiency in English is necessary to participate.

Applications for JYA 2023 are open. If you have any inquiries, please email jya@wjc.org.

Partners

JYA Working Group

The development of the Jewish Youth Assembly would not be possible without the hard work and contributions of the JYA Working Group. This group of individuals, including members of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps and WJC Lauder Fellows have contributed countless hours to building a strong and impactful program.

Chaya Pomeranz-Sherman

Member of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps

Elmira Tarivierdiieva

Member of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps

Jake Benyowitz

Former WJC Ronald S. Lauder Fellow

Liat Sadovitch

Former WJC Ronald S. Lauder Fellow

Nechama Huba

WJC Ronald S. Lauder Fellow

Yoni Hammerman

Senior Manager, WJC NextGen

Eli Zaidman

Coordinator, WJC NextGen

Isaac Choua

Operations Manager, WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps

Jacob Fishman

Content Manager, World Jewish Congress

Rebecca Schneider

Coordinator, WJC NextGen

Linzee Zalta

Coordinator, WJC NextGen

Michal Cohen

NextGen Communications Coordinator