300 local teens learned the importance of supporting Israel at 15 Atlanta JSU clubs. Teens made banners for Israeli soldiers to hang in their barracks to thank them and show support. This touching guesture by the teens amounted to nearly 100 banners sent to troops elevating their spirits while on duty during the high holiday season.

When the Holiday season rolls around each December, Jews everywhere know that it's time to "light up the night, with candles burning bright" and celebrate Channukah. Excitement was in the air, as well as the overpowering smell of delicious sizzling latkes, as over 400 teens attended JSU club Channukah gatherings in 14 Atlanta high schools around the city.
Rabbi Chaim Neiditch led the proceedings at each of the events, overseeing thrilling dreidel tournaments as well as teaching the teens the original Channukah story and the laws of lighting the menorah. The teens also participated in discussions about the significance of miracles in our lives and took part in other fun activities like decorating wooden dreidels and making edible menorahs. For many teens, these JSU events represented their sole celebration of Chanukah this year.

400 teens in 15 greater Atlanta JSU high school clubs competed to build the best sukkah out of gingerbread and colorful candy treats. These hands on activities facilitated Rabbi Chaim Neiditch's Sukkot overview and teen discussions about the significance and fun of Sukkot. Many of the teens also shook the lulav and etrog (the four species). It was a first-ever Sukkot celebration for many. It was a sweet, fun and memorable one for all!

Over 600 teens got into the Jewish New Year's spirit at exciting events at 15 Jewish Student Union (JSU) clubs across Atlanta. Traditional "dipping the apple into the honey" (for a sweet new year) was taken to a whole new level, as teens dipped their apples into melted caramel and then rolled them in a vast array of candies, including yummy M&Ms and Rolos.

While the events centered around making these delicious delicacies, Rabbi Chaim Neiditch infused the activities with meaning; teaching the teens about the deeper purpose of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The concept of Tshuva (repentance) was discussed. Numerous teens made Jewish New Year's resolutions to take actions that will help them grow spiritually. All in all, the events were a very auspicious start to the new academic year for Atlanta's Jewish youth, many of whom would have had no exposure to the importance and sweetness of the High Holidays if not for the JSU.

Over 300 teens made decorative pillow cases for children attending Camp Simcha, a camp for Jewish children that have cancer and debilitating conditions, at 13 JSU Public School Clubs in Atlanta, Georgia. This activity was very meaningful and moving, as well teens were amazed to discover such an organization exists for Jewish children. Teens learned about the mitzvah bikur cholim (caring for those who are sick) and discussed their own experiences with family members that have serious illnesses. This led to a deep discussion where teens learned the Jewish perspective on why bad things happen to good people.

One of the largest annual events in the Atlanta Jewish community, the 2011 Holocaust Memorial Service brought hundreds of people to Greenwood Cemetery to commemorate Yom HaShoah. The sponsors of the event, The Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum, The Lillian and A.J. Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, chose the Jewish Student Union to staff this event. A select group of JSU leaders, eagerly accepted this special opportunity. Teens worked directly with survivors guiding them across the terrain at this outdoor event to find seating, as well as coordinated and organized the parking of all attendees. We have received an overwhelmingly positive amount of feedback about our particpation. For many teens this was their first time meeting survivors, which made this event so much more meaningful for them.

This year over 350 teens participated in hands on activities to celebrate Passover at 13 JSU Public School Clubs in Atlanta, Georgia. Teens had a great time together making decorative seder plates, participating in mock seders and competing in "iron chef" matzah pizza competitions. The buzz at these events had teens excited and involved in their clubs' preparations for the upcoming holiday.

Throughout the weeks leading up to Passover, teens learned the story of the Exodus from Egypt and various laws of Passover and the seder. Rabbi Neiditch engaged them in active discussions about the meaning of true freedom and its value to today. For most teens, this will be their only celebration of Passover this year and for many, it was their first time hearing the stories and traditions of their heritage.

Over 400 teens enjoyed Purim celebrations at 12 JSU Public School Clubs in Atlanta, Georgia. From baking hamentashen to seeing an authentic megillah scroll to decorating shaloch manos baskets, these festive Purim parties were a big hit. Teens also learned the story of Purim,  learned the laws of reading megillah, giving shaloch manos, and giving matanos l'evyonim, and participated in discussions about the significance of Divine providence in our lives. For most of these teens this is their sole celebration of Purim this year.

Set in a beautiful resort hotel near Jacksonville Beach, FL, the JSU & NCSY Convention was a memorable convention. Over shabbos, teens enjoyed a variety of activities including educational sessions, ice-breakers and games.  Shabbat culminated in an inspiring havdalah service with a moving story and powerful message by Rabbi Chaim Neiditch. Teens also shared their own reflections about the weekend and had a chance to talk about their experiences over Shabbat.

On Saturday night teens headed to Jacksonville's largest arcade, Adventure Landing. They spent their evening bonding with new friends on the entertainment pavilion's go-carts, virtual reality simulators, amusement park rides, and laser tag.

On Sunday morning, teens went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Without a doubt, they could not get enough of the newest attractions in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  They had a chance to walk through Hogwarts, experience the newest simulated ride with Harry, buy wands at Olivanders and wander the streets of a whimsical place they had only read about in books! Teens finished off the day with dinner at Kosher Culinary restaurant in Orlando where they lifted their soft drinks to new friends and memorable parts of the weekend.

JSU featured on the Front Page of the Jewish Georgian

Jewish Student Union (JSU) of Atlanta and NCSY made history this November by hosting Atlanta's largest overnight Jewish teen event! Held at Andretti's Entertainment, the first ever "All-Nighter" drew over 250 Atlanta teens from 23 local high schools. To start off the event, teens gathered for a moving havdalah ceremony, officially ending Shabbat with words of inspiration from Rabbi Neiditch. Then, everyone hit the track for a JSU club presidents' race on the go-karts. Teens stayed wide awake with activities including Andretti's extreme ropes course, rock climbing wall, bowling alley and unlimited access arcade! An NCSY alumnus joined the party to DJ simcha dancing and music in the sky lounge which lasted early into the morning.
 

Congratulations to Rabbi Chaim Neiditch on the completion of his book "How to Run a Successful Jewish Club!"  This book is about Rabbi Neiditch's experiences building 13 JSU public school Jewish clubs in Atlanta and his innovative educational methodology that inspires over 1,100 Atlanta teens annually. The book is now being used as a primer to prepare public school Jewish club leaders across the country.