The Young Judaea logo.

Young Judaea will become an independent, not-for-profit entity in the culmination of a yearlong process to separate the 103-year-old Zionist youth movement from its sponsor, Hadassah (the Women’s Zionist Organization of America).

More than 5,000 children and teens participate in U.S. camps and Israel programs organized by Young Judaea. Inaugural Executive Director Simon Klarfeld, who was hired last December, will manage the staff of the new independent organization. A board of directors is also forming.

“Like a child leaving the nest, Young Judaea will always be part of the Hadassah family. Hadassah members take tremendous pride in how effective Young Judaea is in creating permanent connections between American youth and Israel,” Hadassah National President Marcie Natan said in a statement.