USCJ is the network of Conservative Jewish congregations across North America. It closely works with the Rabbinical Assembly, the international body of Conservative rabbis, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.HistoryRepresentatives of twenty-two Jewish congregations in North America met at the Jewish Theological Seminary on 23 February 1913. The representatives formed the United Synagogue of America to develop and perpetuate Conservative Judaism. The group elected Rabbi Dr. Solomon Schechter the first president.The name of the organization was changed to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1991.Role and descriptionUnited Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has 594 affiliated congregations.ProgramsUSCJ sponsors the following programs:United Synagogue Youth (USY) is the youth movement of the USCJ. The organization's mission is to empower Jewish youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish People, a deep engagement with and love for Israel, and a commitment to inspired Jewish living through meaningful and fun experiences based on the ideology of Conservative Judaism.Nativ is USCJ’s academic gap year program in Israel for in-bound college freshmen.The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is USCJ's learning community in Israel.
