The Jewish Student Union, or JSU is an organization aimed at educating youth in public schools about the Jewish culture, heritage, and religion. The mission of Jewish Student Union is "to enhance teens’ Jewish identity, nurture a connection to the State of Israel, inspire an enduring relationship with the Jewish people and provide for a deeper involvement with the Jewish community, including serving as a portal to facilitate life-long involvement in Jewish inspired expression and organizations." JSU currently has clubs throughout Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 and scattered throughout the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. JSU began in California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, and now has grown to operate clubs in 23 states and 3 Canadian provinces.

Having started in 2002 by Rabbi Steven Burg of the Orthodox movement's youth group, NCSY, the JSU has since grown as an independent organization. JSU heavily relies on volunteer Jewish professionals to run clubs, yet has begun hiring full-time professionals in recent years as a result of large grants. One such grant allowed the organization to rapidly expand under this model in 2010.

The Jewish Student Union (JSU) is currently chaired by Barry Wallach of Glencoe, IL. Their Executive Director is Susan Holzman Wachsstock, formerly of Hillel.

Partners

JSU partners with a variety of Jewish organizations to provide programming, including National Conference of Synagogue Youth

National Conference of Synagogue Youth

NCSY is an Orthodox Jewish youth group sponsored by the Orthodox Union. Founded in 1954, it has members in the United States, Canada, Israel, Chile, and formerly also in Ukraine. Its slogan is Inspiring the Jewish Future...

, BBYO, Jewish Community Center

Jewish Community Center

A Jewish Community Center or Jewish Community Centre is a general recreational, social and fraternal organization serving the Jewish community in a number of cities...

s, Jewish camps, Young Judaea

Young Judaea

Young Judaea is a peer-led Zionist youth movement that runs programs throughout the United States for Jewish youth in grades 2-12. In Hebrew, Young Judaea is called Yehudah Hatzair or is sometimes referred to as Hashachar, which means the dawn....

, Hillel

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, working with thousands of college students globally...

, StandWithUs

StandWithUs

StandWithUs is a non-profit pro-Israel education and advocacy organization based in Los Angeles. As of 2009, it has branches in Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Michigan, Chicago, Seattle, Orange County, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, the UK, Australia, and Israel....

, AIPAC

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...

, Jews for Judaism

Jews for Judaism

Jews for Judaism, established by Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz in 1985, is an international organization designed to counter Christian missionaries whose evangelistic efforts are directed toward Jews. They aim to help Jews strengthen and rediscover their Judaism. It is the largest counter-missionary...

, and others. JSU receives funding, including donations of in-kind support, from Jewish Federations in a number of cities, parents, community organizations, the Orthodox Union

Orthodox Union

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...

, and private foundations.