First meeting to be held Jan. 12

A new chapter of United Synagogue Youth (USY) for Jewish young people with special needs between the ages of 12 and 21 has been formed in the greater Hartford area. Created by the Emanuel Synagogue and Beth El Temple of West Hartford, B’nai Tikvah Shalom of Bloomfield and JTConnect, the community afterschool Hebrew high school serving the Hartford area, the new chapter will be called USY Shelanu, meaning “Our USY.” USY is the international youth organization of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Membership in any of the sponsoring organizations is not required.
The first meeting of USY Shelanu will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, 4:30 – 7 p.m. at the Emanuel Synagogue. The group will join the congregation for services and havdalah, followed by a light supper, activities and games.
“USY Shelanu fits perfectly with our commitment to providing a welcoming and meaningful spiritual home for all,” says Nancy Fichman, a faculty member of Emanuel’s religious school and its special needs team, who will serve as group advisor.
The Emanuel Synagogue is located at 160 Mohegan Drive in West Hartford.  For more information or to RSVP for this event, call (860) 233-2774 or email school@emanuelsynagogue.org, or visit  www.emanuelsynagogue.org.