Everything you need to know about Hagalil Conventions:
Our conventions are overnight events in which USYers (9th-12th graders) or Kadimaniks (6th-8th graders) from all over the Hagalil region gather to make connections and spend the weekend together. Conventions provide an opportunity for teens to set aside the stress of school and step into a unique community filled with new friends and new experiences.
One of the most amazing things about USY and Kadima conventions is that all of our programming is written, planned, and executed by teen leaders. Our Regional Executive Board and Regional General Board are composed of dedicated 10th-12th graders that spend countless hours planning conventions with interactive programs for their peers.
We always start off conventions by participating in fun ice-breaker sessions so everyone can get a chance to meet new people and develop relationships. Throughout the weekend we also take part in sichot (discussion breakout sessions), which engage teens through topics that relate aspects of Judaism to our everyday lives. Other programs about social action and Israel help us to learn more about the world around us and allow us to take action, whether through raising money for Tikkun Olam, or by making care packages for the homeless. Conventions are also famous for their Ruach sessions, filled with USYers or Kadimaniks singing lively and passionate songs in both English and Hebrew, cheering, clapping, and dancing to our favorite tunes. We end Shabbat with Havdalah, and then move into the highly-anticipated Saturday night program (often a dance) that gives us a chance to have fun with our friends, and plenty of time to hang out with new ones!
Aside from all of these wonderful programs, one of the best things about USY and Kadima conventions is being able to spend Shabbat together as a community. For 25 hours between Friday night and Saturday night, we put down our phones and come together to celebrate Shabbat in a way that may not be typical for us outside of conventions. We take this time to connect with Judaism and recognize how unique, welcoming, and beautiful the Jewish community can be.
In addition to the one-week Encampment we hold at the end of every summer, each year we have three quarterly conventions - Fall Kinnus, Midwinter Kinnus, and Spring Convention. Fall and Midwinter Kinnus are typically home-hospitality style, and Spring Convention is usually a hotel based convention. In home-hospitality style conventions like Fall and Midwinter Kinnus, the congregants of our host synagogue open their doors to us, allowing groups of USYers or Kadimaniks to stay in their homes after we’re done with our programming for the day. Host homes are extremely welcoming and it’s always nice to interact with and get to know our host families. We’re unfortunately unable to have home-hospitality conventions for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so instead our conventions are hotel based, as is typical with Spring Convention. In this style of convention, USYers or Kadimaniks stay in hotel rooms at night after our programming for the day is done. In any type of convention, teens are able to make roommate requests, and we do our best to make sure that everyone is happy and comfortable.
Ultimately, the only way to really appreciate what a convention is like is to give it a shot and attend one yourself! Hagalil USY and Kadima have impacted thousands of teens over the years, providing leadership skills, confidence, love of Judaism, and friends that will last a lifetime. With all of this in mind, we hope to see you soon!
Glossary of terms used:
-Kinnus/Convention (gathering) - described on this page, conventions take place on weekends from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, including themed programming, teen-led services, and opportunities for teens to bond
-Ruach (spirit) - lively singing sessions that take place during Shabbat at Conventions or Encampments
-Sichot (talks) - small group discussion sessions
-Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) - in a USY/Kadima context, Tikkun Olam often refers to the Tikkun Olam Fund, the name of USY’s tzedakah (charity) fund that allocates money to several charities and is used for scholarships to help teens go on USY summer programs
-Kinnus/Convention (gathering) - described on this page, conventions take place on weekends from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, including themed programming, teen-led services, and opportunities for teens to bond
-Ruach (spirit) - lively singing sessions that take place during Shabbat at Conventions or Encampments
-Sichot (talks) - small group discussion sessions
-Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) - in a USY/Kadima context, Tikkun Olam often refers to the Tikkun Olam Fund, the name of USY’s tzedakah (charity) fund that allocates money to several charities and is used for scholarships to help teens go on USY summer programs