ENGAGING A GENERATION 2017 ANNUAL REPORT “Y2i is helping build participation in Israel based experiential programs for Year 10 students. Through a successful and strategic campaign, there has been a 114% increase in participation rates between 2014 and 2017.” Contents Board Chair Report 2 Thank You to Our Donors 4 Operations Report 5 Operational Successes 8 Donor Representatives Report 10 Current Donor Representatives 12 Board 12 Youth Leadership Board 12 Highlights 13 336 life-changing journeys to Israel in 2017 1 Board Chair Report The Youth 2 Israel brand really began to resonate in the community in 2016/17, helping deliver a significant shift in the number of participants. Our projections have been exceeded as record numbers of students responded to concerted efforts to promote Israel programs and attend information nights. Y2i is making an impact on the expectation of students to be part of a Year 10 educational trip. Foundations Expanding reach The past year saw Y2i capitalise on our efforts to In the Jewish Day Schools, students are now talking establish a presence in the broader community. It about the Year 10 programs two or three years moved from just trying to educate organisations and earlier, as they hear from siblings and friends about people about Y2i, to also collaborating with communal the experience. Upwards of 87% of students are now organisations to reach more people. Their cooperation participating at Emanuel School, Masada College has been instrumental in building the momentum now and Moriah College. In 2017, Kesser Torah College will being experienced. operate their first biennial program for Year 9 and 10 students. The programs are seen by the Jewish Day Those who have participated in previous years have Schools as a vital element in their educational programs. also played a key role in cementing the foundations for ongoing growth. Whether it be as an active Outside of the Jewish Day Schools, there has been a member of the Youth Board, delivering speeches to the notable jump in participants, with student numbers community (such as in shules or at information nights) increasing by 154% since 2014. or by continuing discussions on social media, they have embraced the concept of ambassadors. What is The numbers attending information nights, responding important to note is the messages they bring back from to our emails, calls and dedicated web page, were their trip; a sense of belonging to a local community, fantastic to witness. The energy in the room at the the importance of Jewish continuity and a desire to information nights did a lot to help eradicate any return to Israel. nerves, particularly for those who knew few if any others. The success of Y2i stems from our dedicated staff. There were more public and private They have raised awareness, schools represented than ever communicating regularly with “…it’s not easy before, an important indicator of our expanding reach. In fact, the venue the community. A highlight being Jewish, of their efforts was the Y2i needed to be shifted to the much Community Day held in Israel and there are larger hall provided by Maroubra for all students from all the Synagogue to accommodate many reasons everyone. programs to come together. to turn your I would like to take this Speaking to students and their opportunity to thank each of back, but it is parents, they saw this as an the staff for all they have done, who we are in opportunity to engage with their helping engage a generation in a our soul and it Judaism, which in many cases is not a way which will have a long-term part of their daily lives. The feedback positive impact. binds us all.” from them on the $5,000 vouchers is that it is a game changer. 2 Strategies moving forward as influencers on how they interact with their Judaism and the community, including when they return from a While the numbers now are exciting, the focus is on program. At a time where those identifying themselves continuing to grow them in the coming years. It is as Jewish has dropped according to the latest census important to build on the momentum, which means data, Y2i can play a role in reversing that trend. The goal maintaining the strategies that have been so is to make sure, through the students, that parents also effective to date. These include building the Y2i feel a greater attachment to the community and can database by encouraging online registrations from learn from their children’s experience. It is important Year 6 onwards, activity on social media, producing for Y2i not to slow down, but to continue to build its videos designed to engage people to connect with brand and increase its reach because the impact these their Judaism and community, running events, strategies are having is clearly evident through the making calls and sending emails. growth in participation rates across the board. One strategy which has continued to work well is the presentation of certificates in synagogues to Funding Bar and Bat Mitzvah students outlining the details of What has been critical to the success Y2i has the voucher. Not only does this speak to the occasion experienced is the funding afforded by the generosity by offering to help continue their Jewish learning, but it of donors. Thank you again for your support. When attracts the attention of all those attending the service. the organisation first became a reality, it took a leap of Early in the year we released a video, inspired by a faith from a variety of people in the community to share discussion amongst donors, asking the question the vision. The impact is not just now for participants, “Why Be Jewish?”. The video reached over 10,000 but it will be felt for years to come at a much broader people on Facebook and the Y2i website with many level. There is a number of elements which the funding more having viewed it through other channels. The supports; helping the message of what is on offer video was designed to appeal to anyone with a Jewish connect with more people, supporting the vouchers background and proved to be a very powerful way to themselves and offering further assistance to those introduce why community is so important, and how in need outside of the Jewish Day Schools. It is worth Israel programs play an important role. As was so noting that the extra assistance has helped dozens of eloquently stated by a donor, it’s not easy to be Jewish families, who could not otherwise have afforded the and there are many reasons to turn your back, but it is remaining costs, to go on a program. who we are in our soul and it binds us all. The Youth Leadership Board, which is made up of Year Thank you 11 students, will also build on its role, with a platform Y2i enjoys the support of a Board who continue to now in place for them to come up with activities contribute greatly to its success. They have helped designed to reunite steer the organisation into a strong position for which their peers, as well I am truly grateful. In particular I would like to thank as encouraging the Peter Philippsohn whose support has been vital and is incoming Year 10 group. greatly appreciated. I would also like to acknowledge Overarching this is a JCA who have allowed Y2i to operate within its offices. sense of belonging to a community which The most important thank you I can give is to the goes beyond school participants, past and future, who along with their boundaries with families, have invested emotionally in the Israel friendships that run programs. As they recognise and share the value of much deeper. their experiences, they amplify our goal, of engaging Even though the a generation. What we build today goes towards students themselves building a stronger tomorrow for our community. are the focus, parents play a major role both Jeremy Dunkel as decision makers and 3 Thank you to Our Donors Mervyn and Lorraine Basserabie Bernard and Lynne Berson Boyarsky Family Stephen and Lucy Chipkin Coppel Family Education Heritage Foundation Simon and Rebecca Ehrlich Bruce and Lauren Fink Gerry and Eva Fischl David and Ariane Fuchs Brian and Susie Gold Newton and Jan Goldman Nancye Goldstein Daniel Goulburn Graf Family Phillip and Vivien Green Stephen and Sharon Green Gary and Sharon Hendler IJJAV Endowment Peter and Sharon Ivany Lance and Loren Kalish Howard and Hayley Kantor Dan and Nicole Katz Aron Kleinlehrer Aubrey and Dorit Krawitz Ian and Josie Lacey Gus and Nanna Lehrer Gary and Roz Levin Alex and Rosemary Linden Alan and Susan Lipman Lowy Family Robert and Ruth Magid Colin and Robyn Manoy Gary and Daniela Munitz Naumburger and Midalia Families Pelerman Holdings Peter and Sheila Philippsohn Justin Phillips and Louise Thurgood-Phillips Robert and Judy Phillips Millie Phillips Jonny and Jacki Pillemer Russel and Carole Pillemer Jonathan and Renee Pinshaw Lance and Julie Rosenberg Stanley and Charmaine Roth Brian and Arlene Schwartz and Family Ilan and Shira Sebban Diane Shteinman and Family “The minute I stepped on the Barry and Sandra Smorgon Ezekiel Solomon plane I felt already so connected Bruce and Barbara Solomon Danny and Dannielle Taibel to everybody. There is such a Mildred Teitler strong sense of community, it was Jonathan and Sherna Teperson Vidor Family very easy to click with people.” Isaac and Susan Wakil Glenn Wein and Julie Tylman Talia - St George High School Daniel and Virginia Weinberg Peter and Jenny Wohl The Wolanski Foundation Frank and Karen Wolf 4 Operations Report Our people In 2013, before Y2i, 91 Moriah and Masada Year 10 students went on IST.