Young Adult Division (YAD) | Shalom Austin

Young Adult Division (YAD)

CONNECTING YOUNG ADULTS

Shalom Austin’s Young Adult Division (YAD) is Austin’s networking hub for Jewish professionals in their 20s and 30s. 

ABOUT US

Young Adult Division (YAD)

Shalom Austin’s Young Adult Division (YAD) is Austin’s networking hub for Jewish young professionals. YAD’s goal is to build the Jewish community through social events, educational programming, holiday celebrations, and philanthropic opportunities in a welcoming and open environment. Through these initiatives, YAD serves as a welcome group to recent transplants, a platform for leadership development, and a bridge to the wider Austin Jewish community. YAD seeks to enable Jewish young adults in the area to find their home and place within Jewish Austin and the surrounding communities.

YAD is made possible by Shalom Austin’s Annual Campaign.

YAD BOARD

2023-2024

Board Chair
Susannah Waite

Past Board Chair
Tami Gamliel

Matthew Erlebacher
Kendal Jaffe
Sara Kogut
Lainey Komerofsky
Matt Medina
Matthew Miller
Aron Neesman
Aaron Perchonok
Adam Shain

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Check out our Community Events Calendar to register for upcoming events.

Apples ‘n Honey

Come ring in a sweet new year with YAD! Bring your friends and come meet new ones at one of our biggest events! Each celebration also features a “Torah on Tap” discussion by local clergy.

Sukkot Happy Hour

Join us as we partner with Chabad Young Jewish Professionals for an evening of drinks, food, and fun in the sukkah!

Mazel Ball

Join YAD for our Jewish Christmas Eve tradition and BIGGEST party of the year with 200+ Austin Jews!

Purim Party

Enjoy a night of Purim-inspired drink specials, snacks, games, a Megillah reading and more, centered around a different theme each year.

Passover Seder

Enjoy some songs, merriment, and good company at a Passover experience let by fellow YAD members.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Check out our Community Events Calendar to register for upcoming events.

Party of 8

We’ll assign you a restaurant and 7 other YAD members will join you for dinner. This is an exciting opportunity to get to know new friends and connect with old friends in a small group. After dinner, meet up with the rest of YAD at a nearby bar and keep the party going!

Intergenerational Shabbat Dinner

Come together for a fun and meaningful evening that connects Jewish young professionals with more established adults in our community! We’ll match you up to spend Shabbat dinner with other YAD members at a family’s home. Together, you will build friendships and network, bringing together generations within our growing Austin Jewish community.

Jewish and Newish

Join other newcomers, as well as the YAD Board and longtime members, for an easy way to get to know us in a relaxed & casual environment! You’ll have the opportunity to mingle and ask any questions you have about YAD and the Austin Jewish community.

Trivia

Test your knowledge of pop culture, history, naming that tune and more! Get your game face on and come ready to play – bragging rights are at stake!

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Check out our Community Events Calendar to register for upcoming events.

Torah on Tap

Grab a drink and join us for a discussion around a certain topic led by local clergy and teachers.

YAD 3Sixty Club

Join the 3Sixty Club by making an Annual Campaign pledge of $30+ a month.

Benefits include:
•  Free entry into all YAD events that require a donation
•  Invitation to exclusive speaker and networking events

It's Not Too Late to Make Your Gift!

All gifts of any size make a difference.

Alachua Haskins

Alachua Haskins

Learning and Engagement Director

CONTACT US