Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

These days it seems that young people are portrayed as hooded miscreants, knife wielding yobs or drunken louts. Every news item about youth seems to focus on their bad deeds and accusations of wild behaviour. For those involved in community youth provision, we know that this image is often at odds with what we experience on a weekly basis.

Our young people are often involved in a variety of commendable programmes, volunteer their time to help out at the synagogue or worthy causes and demonstrate behaviour that is far removed from the negative stereotypes usually associated with the youth of this country.

'Massuot - The Community Youth Awards' is an exciting new initiative being launched by The Movement for Reform Judaism that aims to recognise and celebrate the effort and contribution of young people and their adult helpers to their synagogue, local community and beyond. Massuot means 'beacons' in Hebrew, since the awards are meant not only to honour the winner, but represent the achievements of all those involved in Reform Jewish youth provision and to inspire others towards the aspirations which the Awards symbolise.

The Awards are based on the concept of Tikkun olam, ‘Repairing the World’ around which RSY-Netzer, the Zionist youth movement of the Reform Movement, bases its programmes. There are three categories of Award, in the ‘Awards for Youth’ category there are six types of awards for ages 8-18, both individuals and groups can be nominated for the Awards; in the ‘Awards for Contribution to Reform Jewish Youth’ category there are three Awards for 18+; and finally in the ‘Synagogue Youth Provision of the Year Award’, a whole synagogue youth provision can be nominated. Anyone involved in a Reform synagogue can make a nomination, and any young person, group or adult who is involved in a Reform synagogue can be nominated.

The Reform Movement intends that these Awards will highlight all the amazing work that is being carried out in our network of synagogues and communities. We believe that if a person, group, adult or synagogue is just nominated, that is enough cause for celebration, so get ready to break out the kiddush wine! Also, every nominee will receive a certificate in recognition of their achievement. An Awards Panel will convene to create a shortlist of potential winners for each award. Those short listed will be invited to the Annual Awards Reception on Sunday 14th December 2008 where we will announce the winners.

For more information contact Jon Littman , Youth and Community Worker for the Movement for Reform Judaism.