What is this activity?

The Stuyvesant Jewish Student Union (JSU) is a club dedicated to exploring and celebrating all things Jewish, whether cultural/religious, historical, or bagels. We aim to bring the Stuyvesant Jewish community together through a variety of activities, including holiday events, cultural discussions, guest speakers, fundraisers, and social gatherings. Whether you're looking to connect with fellow Jewish students or are simply interested in learning more about am Yisrael (the Jewish people), everyone is welcome to join us. No prior knowledge or commitment is required.

On what days does this activity meet?

Tuesday

What is the meeting schedule?

We will aim for one meeting per week (Tuesdays). They will run from the end of the school day (3:35 pm) to 5:00 pm, although there is no requirement to stay for the entire duration of the meeting. There is no expectation to pause meetings, except in the case of school holidays or other extenuating circumstances.

What does a typical meeting look like?

Although our meetings will be casual, they will ideally follow this rough structure: - We will start with a very short 'this week in Jewish history'. - The Presidents will deliver some brief educational wisdom and a little rant about the Jewish people and the beauty of Judaism. - After representatives from the JSU organization come by with food, those who feel comfortable will say a short (1 sentence) bracha (blessing) on the food and we will launch into the main event, which will vary wildly between meetings. Some examples might be a game of Jewpardy (Jewish Jeopardy), charades or pictionary, a debate or discussion about a particular topic, singing Jewish songs, writing Jewish raps, or just chilling out and eating some food. On some special occasions (like Jewish holidays), we will host special events like little parties or scavenger hunts to educate Jews and non-Jews alike about Jewish culture. Sometimes, we will host guest speakers like Holocaust survivors, representatives from Jewish organizations (StandWithUs, e.g.), social/political figures (like Jerry Nadler, a Stuy alum), and other notable Jews. There is no requirement to stay for the entire duration of the meeting.

How does this activity appoint leaders?

Leaders earn their position in a democratic Google Form election at the end of each year, where they will be elected by members of the JSU. There are two presidents (organize and lead meetings, oversee club operations), a vice president (second-in-command should the presidents be unavailable), an activity manager (organizes and plans the particular activities for each meeting), a recruitment manager (attracting new members to the club), a social media manager (manages the JSU Instagram), and an outreach manager (coordinates with other clubs or organizations to set up events).

What makes this activity unique?

The Jewish people and their culture are unique and there is no substitute for a space where Jews can spend time together, celebrate their community, and support one another. Jewish people have an incredibly unique culture and experience and therefore require a club to give them a chance to express this. By chartering this club, I want to ensure that Jewish students have a place where they can feel truly understood, while also opening up opportunities to educate others about our traditions and values. The JSU will enrich our school community and provide a valuable resource for both Jewish and non-Jewish students alike. Stuyvesant's Jewish student body is an essential and large part of our school's diverse cultural mosaic and therefore need to have a club that represents them, their interests, and their values so as to not only enrich the lives of Jewish students but also enhance the overall cultural fabric of our school.