SUPPLEMENT TO JEWISH ACTION MAGAZINE
THE NCSY MAGAZINE | SPRING 2019
NCSY CITIES AND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP NCSY is the international youth movement of the OU.
ATLANTIC SEABOARD
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Rabbi Micah Greenland............International Director, NCSY Rabbi Keevy Fried.......................Associate International Director, NCSY Rabbi Moshe Benovitz..............Managing Director, NCSY Rina Emerson...............................Managing Director, NCSY & CEO, NY NCSY Mark (Moishe) Bane...................President, OU Howard Tzvi Friedman.............Board of Directors Chair, OU Avi Katz.........................................National Youth Commission Chairman, OU Allen Fagin.....................................Executive Vice President, OU Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.......Executive Vice President, Emeritus, OU Rabbi Steven Weil.......................Senior Managing Director, OU Shlomo Schwartz........................Chief Financial Officer / Chief Administrative Officer, OU Arnold Gerson............................Chief Institutional Advancement Officer, OU Rabbi Lenny Bessler..................Chief Human Resources Officer, OU Dr. Sam Davidovics....................Chief Information Officer, OU Craig Goldstein............................Chief Marketing Officer, OU
INTERNATIONAL STAFF Jon Ackerman..............................Associate Director of NCSY Alumni Baila Bacharach...........................Data Analyst Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin.............Director of Education Tess Blaustein..............................Summer Recruitment Associate Nicole Chermak.........................NCSY Alumni Connection Associate Yoni Colman...............................Director, Staff Learning and Training David Cutler..................................Director of NCSY Summer Shira Epstein.................................NCSY Alumni Connections Associate Alyssa Goldwater......................Executive Assistant to International Director Daniel Gordon............................Associate National Director of Development Dan Hazony...................................Director of Data and Evaluation Victoria Kalmanowitz.................NCSY Alumni Connections Associate Rabbi Yehoshua Kohl...............Special Projects Coordinator Jeffrey Korbman........................ Director of Development Rabbi Israel Lashak....................Senior Educator Rabbi Yehoshua Marchuck......Director of NCSY Alumni Amy Mauskopf.............................Director of Logistics, NCSY Summer Andres Moncayo.........................Graphic Designer Rabbi Menachem Nissel..........Senior Educator Rachel Olson................................Educational Content Manager & Designer Rabbi Ari Rockoff........................Director of Leadership Development Adam Rudich...............................Director of Operations and Finance Racheli Schwartz........................Summer Programs Associate Devorah Schwartzman.............Leadership Development Associate Avi Sebbag..................................Summer Recruitment Associate Saadia Simon..............................Senior Systems and Data Analyst Alexa Szegedi.............................Education Associate Elliot Tanzman..............................Director of NCSY Summer Recruitment Josh Weinberg.............................Creative Director
SUMMER LEADERSHIP 4G Euro...........................................Shira Kronenberg BILT...................................................Rabbi Michael Goldman Camp Maor..................................Sari Kahn Camp Sports.................................Rabbi Jon Green Euro ICE..........................................Jeremy Goldfeder GIVE.................................................Erin Stiebel GIVE West......................................Leah Moskovich Hatzalah Rescue.........................Moshe Zharnest Israel ID...........................................Rabbi Yoni Pollock JOLT.................................................Rabbi Eli Zians JOLT Israel ................................. Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg JSU GO ....................................... Rabbi Chaim Neiditch Kollel................................................Rabbi Moshe Benovitz Michlelet.........................................Rivka Yudin Next Step: Israel Internships...Rabbi Jacob Bernstein ReSurf Israel..................................Oran Bendelstein
Rabbi Jonah Lerner Dr. Michael Elman, Chair 410.358.6279 atsoffice@ncsy.org atlanticseaboard. ncsy.org Baltimore, MD Columbia, MD Germantown, MD Gaithersburg, MD Olney, MD Potomac, MD Sandy Spring, MD Silver Spring, MD Towson, MD Cherry Hill, NJ Allentown, PA Harrisburg, PA Huntingdon Valley, PA Lancaster, PA Philadelphia, PA Lower Merion, PA Wilkes-Barre, PA Richmond, VA Norfolk, VA Virginia Beach, VA
CANADA Rabbi Glenn Black Larry Zeifman, Chair 905.761.6279 ncsyca@ncsy.org canada.ncsy.org Calgary, AB Edmonton, AB Vancouver, BC Victoria, BC Hamilton, ON Kitchener-Waterloo, ON King City, ON Kingston, ON London, ON Ottawa, ON Toronto, ON Montreal, QC
CENTRAL EAST Rabbi Tzali Freedman Judge Daniel Butler, Chair 248.557.6279 centraleast@ncsy.org centraleast.ncsy.org Windsor, ON Ann Arbor, MI Bloomfield Hills, MI Farmington Hills, MI Huntington Woods, MI Oak Park, MI Southfield, MI West Bloomfield, MI Akron, OH Canton, OH Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Solon, OH Toledo, OH Youngstown, OH Pittsburgh, PA
The Anne Samson:
TJJ..................................................Rabbi Barry Goldfischer TJJ Ambassadors......................Rabbi Mike Kahn TJJ AP...........................................Marc Fein
GREATER ATLANTA
ON THE COVER: Southern NCSYer, Esther Weiss, lights Shabbat candles at this year’s Southern NCSY Winter Regional in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Rabbi Chaim Neiditch 404.486.8787 info@ncsyatlanta.com atlanta.ncsy.org
Atlanta, GA Alpharetta, GA Buckhead, GA Chamblee, GA Duluth, GA Dunwoody, GA Johns Creek, GA Marietta, GA Milton, GA Roswell, GA Sandy Springs, GA
MIDWEST Rabbi Donny Schwartz Ari Shabat, Chair 847.677.6279 midwest@ncsy.org midwest.ncsy.org Des Moines, IA Buffalo Grove, IL Chicago, IL Glenview, IL Northbrook, IL Skokie, IL Indianapolis, IN South Bend, IN Kansas City, KS Overland Park,KS St. Louis, MO Winnipeg, MB Minneapolis, MN Omaha, NE Memphis, TN Nashville, TN Milwaukee, WI
NEW ENGLAND Devora Weinstock Joyce Wertheimer, Chair 646.459.5175 newengland@ ncsy.org newengland.ncsy.org New Haven, CT Stamford, CT West Hartford, CT Westport, CT Brighton, MA Brookline, MA Longmeadow, MA Newton, MA Sharon, MA Waltham, MA Providence, RI
NEW JERSEY Rabbi Ethan Katz Dr. Murray Leben, Chair 201.862.0250 newjersey@ncsy.org newjersey.ncsy.org East Brunswick, NJ Englishtown, NJ Elizabeth, NJ Fair Lawn, NJ Freehold, NJ Hackensack, NJ Highland Park, NJ Hightstown, NJ Livingston, NJ Marlboro, NJ Manalapan, NJ Millburn, NJ Montclair, NJ Morristown, NJ Ocean Township, NJ
PHOTO: ETAN VANN
EDITOR
EDITORIAL STAFF
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Josh Weinberg
Micha Gordon Avinoam Teplow-Phipps Tova Stulman
Pnina Baim Israel Odesser Miriam Perl Michael Sohn Alexa Szegedi Etan Vann
ART DIRECTOR Andrés Moncayo
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Paramus, NJ Passaic, NJ Randolph, NJ Teaneck, NJ Twin Rivers, NJ West Orange, NJ
NEW YORK Rina Emerson, CEO Rabbi Simon Taylor, Regional Director Outreach Daniel Gordon, Chief Relationship Officer Kenny Sicklick, Chair 516.569.6279 nyinfo@ncsy.org newyork.ncsy.org Bronx, NY Brooklyn, NY Cedarhurst, NY Commack, NY East Meadow, NY Great Neck, NY Hewlett, NY Inwood, NY Lawrence, NY Long Beach, NY Manhattan, NY Merrick, NY Oceanside, NY Plainview, NY Port Washington, NY Queens, NY Rockland, NY Roslyn, NY Staten Island, NY Stony Brook, NY Westchester, NY West Hempstead, NY Woodmere, NY
SOUTHERN Todd Cohn David Wolf, Board Chair 1-866-887-5788 southern@ncsy.org southern.ncsy.org Little Rock, AK Birmingham, AL Aventura, FL Bal Harbour, FL Boca Raton, FL Coral Springs, FL Hollywood, FL Jacksonville, FL Kendall, FL Orlando, FL Miami Beach, FL North Miami Beach, FL Palm Beach, FL Parkland, FL Tampa, FL Savannah, GA Charlotte, NC Columbia, NC Charleston, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Nashville, TN
Houston, TX San Antonio, TX
UPSTATE NY Devora Weinstock Dr. David Hurwitz, Chair 646.459.5175 weinstockd@ncsy.org upstate.ncsy.org Albany, NY Binghamton, NY Buffalo, NY Catskills District, NY Mount Kisco, NY Rochester, NY Schenectady, NY Syracuse, NY
WEST COAST Rabbi Derek Gormin Dr. Moshe Benarroch, Chair 310.229.9000 ncsywc@ncsy.org westcoast.ncsy.org Phoenix, AZ Scottsdale, AZ Berkeley, CA Beverly Hills, CA Calabasas, CA Cupertino, CA Irvine, CA La Jolla, CA Los Angeles, CA North Hollywood, CA Oakland, CA Palo Alto, CA Piedmont, CA Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA San Mateo, CA Santa Monica, CA Saratoga, CA Sunnyvale, CA Thousand Oaks, CA West Hills, CA Woodland Hills, CA Woodside, CA Las Vegas, NV Eugene, OR Portland, OR Mercer Island, WA Seattle, WA
ARGENTINA Martin Lebovich 011.54.911.6802.5854 martin@ncsy.org
CHILE Michael Bengio 011.56.99.186.5575 ncsychile@ncsy.org
ISRAEL
Rabbi Yosef Ginsberg Rabbi Michael Kahn 054-953-8225 Rabbi Gershon Meisel 052-508-5091 310.623.7630 ginsbergy@ncsy.org Southwest@ncsy.org kahnm@ncsy.org southwest.ncsy.org israel.ncsy.org
SOUTHWEST
Denver, CO Dallas, TX
NCSY International Headquarters 11 Broadway New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212.613.8233 Email: info@ncsy.org Web: www.ncsy.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/myncsy Twitter: @ncsy YouTube: www.youtube.com/myncsy Instagram: www.instagram.com/myncsy
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP
FOR ONE OF NCSY’S INCREDIBLE SUMMER PROGRAMS REGISTER TODAY AT SUMMER.NCSY.ORG OR CALL 212.613.8125 Travel through Europe on this once in a lifetime, all-girls, Euro trip. See Europe though the lens of Jewish eyes and visit cities across Europe before heading to Israel.
BILT
Boys Israel Leadership Training (BILT) is a leadership program for boys looking to challenge themselves and have an incredible adventure through the land of Israel. Located in the Pocono Mountains, Camp Maor is for girls entering 5th10th grade who are interested in exploring their passion for the performing arts. Camp Sports focuses on recreational and highly competitive sports leagues in Baltimore, MD, combined with rigorous Torah learning and outstanding trips. Euro ICE brings Jewish history to life by exploring Budapest, Prague and Vienna, lands full of rich Jewish culture and history. This co-ed trip culminates in Israel by visiting all the popular sites.
GIVE
Israel ID takes boys and girls on an inspirational and exhilarating journey through the land of Israel.
JOLT
Jewish Overseas Leadership Training (JOLT) is for teens who want to become leaders. Past participants have described their JOLT experience in Poland, Denmark and Israel as having a transformational impact on their Jewish identity. JOLT Israel is for highly-motivated teens looking for a unique leadership experience. The culmination of the summer will be running a camp for Israeli children whose siblings have cancer.
KOLLEL
NCSY Kollel is an unforgettable summer experience for boys in Israel with interactive learning, intense sports and great trips.
MICHLELET
Michlelet is an extraordinary program for teenage girls looking to spend their summer in a productive way by learning Torah, doing chesed and touring Israel.
Girls Israel Volunteer Experience (GIVE) is for exceptional high school girls looking to experience Judaism through the art of giving back in Israel.
Next Step aims to give teens a real workplace experience through highly sought after internships while working in one of the most innovative countries of the world Israel.
GIVE West provides a select group of girls with a fun and meaningful summer by giving back to communities across the West Coast of the USA.
ReSURF
Learn CPR, bleeding control, and how to be a First Responder! Volunteer on an ambulance, and learn how Hatzhalah's state of the art dispatch center operates in Israel.
Travel and see Israel through the eyes of the locals and connect to your homeland on a whole new level. Be a part of ReSurf, mentor Israel's youth on this social entrepreneurship surfing adventure! No previous surfing experience is required!
(TJJ)
The Anne Samson Jerusalem Journey (TJJ) is the most affordable Israel trip for public school teens. Teens tour Israel and develop an appreciation for its history and their Jewish heritage.
The Anne Samson TJJ Ambassadors program takes public school teens to the best sights in Israel while they participate in social action, political advocacy and high-level Torah study.
POLAND
On The Anne Samson TJJ Ambassadors Poland (TJJ AP) program, public school teens spend a week in Poland before traveling to Israel and touring the land through the lens of Jewish history.
Join this all-girls program for post 7th & 8th grade girls that focuses on volunteering and giving back to organizations across the East Coast. Travel from NYC to West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and have a fun and fulfilling summer with great girls and advisors. Join the the premier second-month travel camp experience for boys entering 9th and 10th grade. Learn Torah from world-renowned Rebbeim, play competitive sports leagues, and enjoy incredibly fun trips across the Northeast US region.
SPRING 2019
NCSY is the International youth movement of the OU
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 12
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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE A Song of their Own: A message from NCSY’s International Director, Rabbi Micah Greenland.
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YOUTH COMMISSION MESSAGE Mrs. Lauren Goldman discsusse the importance and role of an organization’s lay leadership.
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ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Jeffrey Korbman, NCSY’s Director of Development, discusses how to say thank you and various ways of getting involved.
QUESTIONS FOR JSU/NCSY SUPPORTER 09 5Gloria Feldman discusses why she chooses to support Jewish
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Student Union, NCSY’s public school clubs and programming.
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EXPERIENCING FREEDOM NCSY Mashpia, Rav Judah Mischel, relays the importance of personal freedom on Passover. THE GIFT OF IMPERFECTION NCSY Managing Director, Rina Emerson, discusses lessons in management learned from the life of Moshe Rabbeinu. TEEN PRESIDENT MESSAGE Teen president, Jonathan Malove, reflects on making the most of his opportunities with NCSY and embracing Jewish identity.
SNAPSHOTS 14 ACOMMUNITY look back at this year’s regional fundraisers.
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CHESED ACROSS THE COUNTRY NCSYers across the globe give back to their communities and beyond.
STAYING WARM IN THE WINTER 18 Highlights from this year’s NCSY Winter Regionals.
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YARCHEI KALLAH A recap of NCSY’s winter break, Torah-learning, extravaganza for public school teens.
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YARCHEI KALLAH: IN THEIR WORDS 23 NCSYer Yael Chimovitz reflects on her personal Yarchei Kallah experience.
NCSY’S CHAG HA’SEMICHA 24 NCSY celebrates its first Chag HaSemicha with the first NCSY
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Semicha cohort at this year’s StaffCon in Stamford, CT.
SOUTHERN SOUL SISTERS 26 Stefanie Kopetman and Leeyan Cohen find inspiration, and each other, along their respective Southern NCSY journies.
ART FROM THE SOUL 29 Canada NCSYer, Parker Han, turns to his Judaism and NCSY as inspiration for his art.
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AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY 32 Denver NCSYer, Rivky Potestio, discusses her unbelievable journey to NCSY and Orthodox Judaism.
LIVING TO GIVE 34 Columbus, Ohio NCSYer, Drew Samuelson, creates a nationwide giving movement.
INSPIRATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 36 Shari Glassman discusses how NCSY has inspired her whole family to forge a greater bond with their Judaism.
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AS A TEEN: REBBETZIN FEIGE TWERSKI 38 NCSY Director of Education, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, sits with Rebbetzin Feige Twerski to discuss her teenage years.
THE NCSY BOX 41 NCSY Education introduces ‘The Box,’ a new series of interactive and educational games for NCSYers and Jewish educators.
HIGHLIGHTS 43 Happenings around the NCSY World.
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WHO’S THE MAN? 50 Rabbi Moshe Benovitz discusses a famous biblical passage about Moshe Rabbeinu from three perspectives.
Rabbi Micah Greenland, International Director, NCSY The story goes1 that Rabbi Eliezer of Dzikov, who was a mechutan (his son’s father-in-law) of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, was once very ill, and the Sanzer Rebbe visited him. When the Divrei Chaim entered the sick room, he found the family at the bedside. The Dzikover Rebbe was sighing deeply. The tzaddik said, “Mechutan! What is all the sighing for? You know that it is no more than a transition as from one house to another, or taking off one garment and putting on another.’’ R. Eliezer pointed to his family. ‘’But I must provide for them,’’ he said. The tzaddik of Sanz said, “No need to worry, mechutan. I will provide for them. I will be a father to them and care for them like for my own.” R. Eliezer then focused his request towards his followers, his Hassidim. ‘’But they need my leadership and direction,’’ he said. The tzaddik of Sanz said, “They will be just fine, mechutan. You have taught them much already, and they will be okay without you physically here.” ‘’But, Sanzer Rav,’’ R. Eliezer said, ‘’we are soon to have Rosh Hashana and Yom Heard from Rabbi Moshe Weinberger in 2001. Can also be found in the book “The Zeide Reb Motele” by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, published by Artscroll in 2002. 1
Kippur. I serve as chazan (one who leads the services), and you know that when I sing ‘ein kitzva lishnosecha’ (“There is no limit to Your years”), the heavenly angels join in song and clap along with me. I am the only one who can sing that song in that way.” The tzaddik of Sanz became very contemplative. “In that case,” he said, “we can keep you with us.” R. Eliezer lived an additional thirteen years. One of our primary challenges in life is to find our own unique “song,” our own unique talent and contribution that we bring to the world. Indeed, helping a child to discover his or her unique capabilities and contribution is one of the most important jobs that a parent has. As educators, this must drive us as well, and it is the primary reason that NCSY has launched so many unique varieties of programs, particularly in the summer time, when the curricular demands of the school day are on hiatus. We have programs featuring travel, volunteering, sports, Torah study, chessed missions to disaster-stricken communities, and we offer experiential Jewish history trips to multiple different parts of Europe. We have programs that allow our teens to serve as counselors and mentors to youngsters who lack basic Jewish background, as well as programs that allow each participant to pursue an internship in Israel in a field of his or her choosing. Perhaps most emblematic of the concept of discovering ones unique “song” is NCSY Camp Maor, a performing arts program for girls in grades 4 through 9 that allows each girl to customize her own experience by choosing electives and majors. Founded in 2015 by Sari Kahn, the camp arranges for the girls to work with leading professionals in the performing arts in stage, film, dance and vocal performance. Throughout the summer, girls put on a variety of shows. The culmination of camp is a non-musical play for families followed by an original song and dance performance for women only.
Rabbi Micah Greenland speaking to more than 400 teens at NCSY’s largest Yarchei Kallah to date this past December in Long Branch, NJ.
Camp Maor has been instrumental in helping Jewish girls uncover their own unique talent or ability. Recently, through the initiative of NCSY Summer Programs co-chair Miriam Pfeiffer, a similar experience (named “Meorot”)
was provided for New York and New Jersey area girls. Channeling the biblical Miriam, who led women in song with instrumental accompaniment following the Jewish People’s crossing of the Red Sea millennia ago, so did our own Miriam lead the Meorot girls in an incredible musical performance in Bergen County. From auditions in October through a culminating performance in March, fifty girls from northern New Jersey and Long Island invested time and energy each week to hone their skills in dance and voice in preparation for the hallmark performance. The Meorot program succeeded thanks to Sari Kahn’s direction, with incredibly strong assistance from Naomi Schiff, Sorah Shaffren, musical director Enny Wax, and dance director Nadine Weintraub, especially when Sari herself was unavailable. As we prepare for Pesach, this educational mission – finding a unique “song” for every Jewish child to sing – must drive and motivate each of us, whether as parents, as educators, or as Jews seeking to forge a relationship with our Creator. At NCSY, we are proud of our efforts in this arena, and we work with passion to ensure that every Jewish teen finds his or her unique path. With Torah Blessings,
Rabbi Micah Greenland
As we went to press, we received the tragic news that Sari Kahn’s husband, Ari Kahn z”l, had passed away. The entire NCSY family is devastated by the news, and we join Sari and the Kahn family in mourning his loss, and we can’t help but feel that he had so much more that we all needed him to accomplish. May the entire family be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim. We are working with the family to arrange for an appropriate tribute to Ari z”l. In the meantime, many of his friends, fellow NCSY alumni and NCSY advisors, remember him fondly. If you knew Ari and have memories you would like to share, please send them to MemoriesOfAri@ncsy.org.
SPRING 2019
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JOIN BIKE NCSY TO HELP SEND NCSY TEENS TO ISRAEL FOR A GAP YEAR OF TORAH STUDY AND GROWTH OPEN TO ALL LEVEL RIDERS - 15 MILES, 33 MILES, 55 MILES, 75 MILES, 100 MILES
June 30 , 2019
Discover Hudson Valley Ride: Poughkeepsie, NY
JOIN THE RIDE WITH NCSY IN JUST THREE EASY STEPS:
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Register at: bike.ncsy.org
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Get sponsors to reach your goal
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Bike!
Registration includes access to the pre-ride breakfast, post-ride gala BBQ, complimentary bike jersey, and more.
#HighGearForGapYear For more information, email bike@ncsy.org or call 212-613-8145
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NCSY is the international youth movement of the OU.
Laura Goldman, NCSY National Youth Commission Member What is the function of lay leadership? Traditionally, lay leaders are volunteers who offer support to an organization through providing guidance to professional staff, resources, and team work to support projects or functions. When I began in NCSY as a teen, there was minimal professional leadership; we ran our own board, planned our own programming, cultivated our own resources and executed on the logistics. As a result, we looked to the synagogue leadership, the rabbi and president, to function as our source for advice and guidance when we needed it. Today, NCSY has an extensive network of regional and national professionals who are supported to varying degrees by lay leaders. At the National level, NCSY has a National Youth Commission (NYC) comprised of lay leaders from around the country whose role it is to support the International Director, Rabbi Micah Greenland, through providing guidance, strategic input, acting as a sounding board regarding the ongoing activities of NCSY and engaging in dialogue around the successes and challenges of the organization’s goals. In addition, members of the NYC act as advocates for NCSY initiatives, commit themselves to provide resources (both time and money) to the organization, and serve as ambassadors for the work of NCSY. One example of recent work undertaken by the NYC was to work with NCSY’s Leadership Development Team to process the results of a Leading Edge survey, a survey which measured organizational effectiveness. Stated concisely in a recent article in eJewish Philanthropy, “The Leading Edge survey focuses on employee engagement: the level of connection, pride, motivation, and commitment a person feels for their work, and how likely they are to stay or leave their place of employment – and the Jewish nonprofit sector as a whole.” The Orthodox Union’s Executive Vice
President, Allen Fagin, a former chair of the NYC, enrolled NCSY in the survey three years ago - the first Orthodox organization to participate in the survey since Leading Edge began. As a result of his vision, NCSY senior executives and regional directors now have critical, year-over-year information on the level of satisfaction of NCSY professional employees, and what they can do to make NCSY an even better place to work, including enhancing the lines of communication and supporting the development of employee professional leadership. The NYC provided support by working with the Leadership Development team on the report findings to make recommendations that could be practically implemented at the national level. Further, individual members of the NYC who also serve at the regional level took the findings of the report back to their regions, complementing the work of the Leadership Development group that connected with each region regarding their survey results. But, not all regions or cities have active lay leadership advisory groups. These groups can be incredibly valuable to professional leaders at any level. A good working relationship between lay and professional staff can take an organization to the next level of excellence. With the resources, wisdom and guidance of community members, a professional can feel supported and encouraged in his or her work. Lay leaders can open doors to partnerships within a community, such as with parents, administrators, clergy and other partners in the community. They can also provide feedback from the community to the organization, and advocate for the organization in the community. They are “on the team” when challenges arise, working with the professional to navigate a missionappropriate outcome. They can connect professionals to potential funders. And, they can provide accountability for the professionals in evaluating results and developing plans as they work towards
their goals, such as those stimulated by the Leading Edge survey results. In all, there is much organizational effectiveness that can be mined with good lay/professional relationships and teams. There are many capable lay leaders out there who are willing to invest of themselves and partner with NCSY to inspire the Jewish future. They need to be identified, cultivated and given a space within which to provide support to local professionals. And, there are passionate and dedicated professionals who would benefit from the support and encouragement offered by a local lay team. Let’s do what we can to find one another. Questions about forming an advisory board or working with one? Contact Laura at laura.goldman@verizon.net. Laura Goldman is the founder of Arise, LLC, a coaching and leadership development company. She serves as Chair of the Greater Washington NCSY Advisory Committee, member of the National Youth Commission, Board member of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Committee member of the JWRP Education and Leadership Development Committee, and member of the Strategic Planning and Allocations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Yossi, and is the mother of two former, one current and one future NCSYer.
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Jeffrey Korbman NCSY National Director of Development Each issue, we highlight a different letter of appreciation to a donor. The letters are real and the thank you is sincere. Why share these? We want to highlight for our readers the different avenues to get involved in NCSY. Different people contribute in different ways. But, instead of showing the contributions, we want to share our appreciation. The following “thank you” letter, to an NCSY donor, was recently sent in recognition to a gift sponsoring three teens to attend The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ) Summer program. I chose this note for several reasons, besides being hand-written. First, the donation was solidified after several meetings and conversations. Significant donations should never be just “transactional,” but reflect a relationship being developed between the cause and supporter. Second, the supporter didn’t want to just write a check, but wanted to meet some of the NCSYers to see, first hand, whom he and his wife were helping. Finally, when Marty spoke about his dad, he implicitly invoked a value of mesorah that Judaism seeks to ensure from one generation to the next. That was especially meaningful to both Marty and the teens.
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QUESTIONS FOR GLORIA FELDMAN JSU/NCSY SUPPORTER Gloria Feldman was born in Lithuania and immigrated to the U.S with her parents and settled in St. Louis in 1949. Gloria, along with her husband, Rubin ob”m, have a long history of philanthropy and dedicated their lives to building and strengthening organizations in both St. Louis and in Israel. Gloria recently underwrote JSU’s Torah of Unity Project in memory of her 2 brothers and the 1,500,000 children who perished in the Holocaust.
HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT JSU? The truth is I really do not remember. I do remember hearing about the tremendous impact JSU was having on the youth of our community, and then one evening, Rabbi Mike Rovinsky and I were standing in line to check out of the Kosher Deli. He shared with me his dream to write a Torah to unify all the youth of St. Louis. I was very inspired by the idea and that is when I became much more involved in JSU by funding this project.
HOW HAS JSU IMPACTED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? As I mentioned before, I went through the war and lost everything. We did not know what would be. My husband Rubin, of blessed memory, and I were taught by our parents that it is our responsibility not to be a bystander, but to do whatever we can to make a difference. It is only through the opening of people’s eyes and hearts to their Jewish roots that we can fight evil and survive as a people.
WHY IS JSU CRITICAL TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY? I lived through the Holocaust and lost my family. I was an eyewitness to the horror of the many shuls and Torahs burned and destroyed. I witnessed the Nazi death camps, trenches and ditches of the forests where there was little hope and much despair. Today, it is so important to show the youth the beauty of Judaism and how it applies to our modern world and everything that is going on in our lives. This is what makes JSU so important in my opinion.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR READERS? I would like to tell the young people, and the young at heart, that the Jewish People will always flourish by learning Torah and following the Jewish traditions. I know that Rabbi Rovinsky dreams big and the sky’s the limit. Last year, I dedicated a Torah in memory of my two brothers murdered in the Holocaust along with one and a half million other children. We can’t bring them back, but we all have an obligation to remember them and speak for their voices that were silenced. My wish is for a better world for our children and grandchildren - a world of respect, peace and love for the People of Israel and for all people. The Talmud teaches us, “We did not find the world desolate when we entered, and as our fathers planted for us before we were born, so do we plant for those who will come after us”. If we don’t plant for the future, who will? This has been the guiding light for Rubin and I.
WHAT MAKES JSU UNIQUE, IN YOUR OPINION? I believe it is the ability of the JSU staff to reach and inspire such a large and diverse group of teens. The JSU staff use their knowledge and passion to address any issues or questions that teens raise. As Rabbi Mike often says, “The youth do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” I believe it’s the combination of the Torah they teach and the love they give that has made JSU so successful.
SPRING 2019
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RAV JUDAH MISCHEL, OU/NCSY MASHPIA
Reb Shlomo Halberstam, the Bobover Rebbe of the post-Holocaust era, revived his community with his resilience and faith. The Rebbe restored kavod, dignity, to thousands of survivors and helped them rebuild their lives, expressed the paradigm of fatherly love, chein v’chesed, grace and righteousness.
eat matzah, the seudas Yom Tov, or the Afikoman. Nonetheless, Ich dank der Aibishter, I thank Hashem that we are here together, and that He has granted me another year to experience the freedom and joy of Yetzias Mitzrayim. Teiyereh kinderlach, dear children, let us begin the Seder!”
Seder night in Bobov was majestic; thousands joined the Rebbe in the main Beis Medrash to share the mitzvos ha’layla, the unique mitzvos of the night. They would sing songs of praise into the wee hours of the morning. For all the survivors and their families, this night truly shone like the day, uplifting them with its sense of gratitude, celebration, and Malchus, royalty. All felt certain that netzach Yisrael lo yishaker, ‘the promise of the eternity of Klal Yisrael is true’...until the last year of the Rebbe’s life. In his frailty and ailing health, their beloved leader was now humbly confined to wheelchair. As he was nourished via a feeding tube, unable to drink or eat on his own, it would be impossible for him to fulfill the mitzvos of Seder Night.
Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, zt’l, writes with incredible emotion of his “experiential, not intellectual memory” of the Pesach Seder, that royal night where every one of us is charged with the obligation and opportunity to see ourselves as having been freed from bondage. For Rav Soloveitchik, the Seder was “singular…endowed with a unique and fascinating quality… exalted in holiness and shining with dazzling beauty”, where as a child he “surrendered to a stream of inflowing joy and ecstasy”:
The Rebbe’s family gathered for a quiet, private seder in his home, anxious, uncertain, and pained over their Zeide’s condition. Haunted by glorious memories of seders past, some felt this was all too much to bear, and began to cry. Slowly looking up from his wheelchair into the eyes of his children, grandchildren and extended family, the Rebbe finally spoke: “Kinderlach, hehr tzu, listen well. It’s true, I can’t make kiddush tonight, drink the arba kosos, 10
“In every generation, a person is obligated to see himself as if he went out of Mitzrayim!” The experience of the Seder, feeling the joy of Yetzias Mitzrayim in the recounting our origin story, is itself the essence of Pesach. It is central to Jewish life, identity and practice, because it refocuses us on that which is absolutely core to our Emunah: our descent to the lowest places of constriction and slavery is followed by our being rescued, elevated, and redeemed. Remembering our redemption is to enjoy, to be free and experience the simcha of our freedom. A good Yom Tov to all!
On the night of the Exodus, the people met G-d, had a rendezvous with Him, and made His acquaintance for the first time. On Pesach night, man, free, hopeful, and courageous, enhanced by fulfillment, exalted by his independence, surges forward, expands, grows, ready to accomplish all that is related to his blessedness and freedom…. (Festival of Freedom, p. 7) With all the preparations, cleaning, and holiday expenses, the Haggadah vortlach, plastic frogs, Chol Hamoed plans, macaroons and pre-Yom Tov pressure, and even mitzvos (!) of Pesach, it is easy to get distracted and forget the actual goal and purpose of this exalted Chag. B’chol dor va’dor chayav adam liros es atzmo ki’ilu hu yatzah mi’Mitzrayim.
Rav Judah Mischel is Executive Director of Camp HASC, and the newly appointed Mashpiah of OU-NCSY. He is the founder of Tzama Nafshi, a non-profit organization fostering Jewish education and community involvement. Rav Judah & his wife, Ora, live in Ramat Beit Shemesh with their eight children.
Rina Emerson Managing Director, NCSY & CEO, NY NCSY
We all want everything to be perfect. We want to be able to execute events, meetings, teams and budgets flawlessly. In the back of our minds, though, we understand that not everything is going to be that way. What if we feel quite far from perfect? Studies indicate that over 70% of the U.S. population has experienced what has come to be known as “Imposter Syndrome,” the feeling an individual has that their success comes from luck, external circumstances, or anything else except their own talents and efforts. What can we learn from these feelings of insecurity? What implications does imperfection have for leaders who are striving to grow themselves and others around them? This past December, I had the privilege of teaching at our National Yarchei Kallah program. My experience there changed the way I think about perfection. I had the distinct privilege of serving as a Senior Educator, learning with a wonderful cohort that was part of the over 400 public school teens who had gathered to spend their winter break engaged in Torah study. The program, designed by Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin and our NCSY Education Department, focused on the life and leadership of Moshe Rabbeinu. Our group’s learning was marked by wonderful questions and analysis by the teens, and intensive study of the Yarchei Kallah source material. Our group came across an article written by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, entitled “Moses’ Death, Moses’ Life,” where Rabbi Sacks outlines seven key concepts we learn from Moshe. One point in particular hit home: God alone is perfect. That is what Moses wanted people never to forget. Even the greatest human is not perfect. Moses sinned. We still do not know what his sin was – there are many opinions. But that is why God told him he would not enter the Promised Land. No human is infallible.
Perfection belongs to God alone. Our teen group read this passage with surprise. Perhaps Moshe was not perfect. But why would he go out his way to highlight his own imperfections, just to teach a lesson to the Jewish people about G-d? The answer, I would suggest, is that imperfection is a gift, particularly for leaders. The way a leader handles imperfection and insecurity has ripple effects that are far reaching throughout an organization. I’d like to highlight five important lessons that impact our work in NCSY and leadership in general: 1. INCLUDE OTHERS A successful leader does not operate in a vacuum. People who make conscious decision to follow a leader “need assurance that leaders know they themselves are flawed, and will in turn be understanding of other people’s slip-ups. Leaders should be up front about what followers can expect about their strengths and foibles. They must welcome feedback, encouraging candor when their weakness become problematic for others and apologizing early and often when they make mistakes. A leader’s greatest source of credibility is, ironically, their vulnerability. Owning imperfections wins trust; hiding them doesn’t.”
3. IMPOSTERS HAVE FRESH EYES If a leader has taken an unconventional path to get to where they are, they may actually be able to serve in a manner that others cannot. The Ibn Ezra teaches that Moshe Rabbeinu was fit to serve as leader to negotiate with Pharaoh during a critical time because he had spent many years growing up among Egyptian aristocracy. He had the unique perspective that was necessary to galvanize his brothers and sisters who had become demoralized by their wretched conditions. One who feels imperfect or not up to the typical vision of a leader looks at circumstances in unique and creative ways, without the weight of conventional wisdom. 4. MODEL THE CHANGE WE WANT People feel insecure about their imperfections when they feel that they are going to be judged, and when they lack a supportive relationship. A leader is in a unique position to appreciate the paralyzing impact of insecurity, and work to create an environment that allows people to be more vulnerable and supporting of each other. 5. HUMILITY, HUMILITY, HUMILITY Moshe Rabbeinu, more than anything else, was known for his humility. The impact of this trait was dramatic: the people knew that Moshe cared deeply about each of them, and instinctively felt that he lived to help them. In the words of CEO Mike McDerment, “a leader who has all the answers doesnt leave room for anyone else.” A humble leader creates space for others in intentional and dramatic ways.
2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL As the saying goes, you are not defined by your mistakes, rather how you deal with them. Carol Dweck’s famous research on growth mindsets has much to teach the leader suffering from imposter syndrome. Instead of taking a performance mindset, where every mistake is an indicator of a personal weakness, work to adopt a learning mindset, where “your mistakes are seen as an inevitable part of the learning process, rather than as more evidence of your underlying failings.”
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Jonathan Malove
Teen president, Jonathan Malove, holds the candle at havdallah at this year’s Yarchei Kallah in Long Branch, NJ.
Our song lifted into the air above the Kotel as we linked arms in a circle, taking in the crisp air of Jerusalem. It was my last night of TJJ, NCSY’s summer program in Israel for unaffiliated public school teenagers, and I didn’t want to leave. As we poured our hearts out into the last few songs, the daunting thought that I was avoiding all summer long suddenly struck me: How could I maintain my newly discovered Jewish identity once I returned to my secular life in America? Today as I look back at this pivotal moment of my life, I realize the struggle to maintain one’s Jewish identity in the secular world has been faced by Jews throughout history. In fact, within the Pesach story this exact conflict arose. While living in Egypt, many of the Hebrews assimilated into the Egyptian way of life which endangered their Jewish identity. When it came time to choose between following Moshe out of Egypt or staying behind in their familiar lifestyle, a staggering 12 out of the 15 million stayed. The 12 million who remained in Egypt met death in the form of darkness and have since been forgotten. The three million who left did so because they chose their Jewish identity over 12
their Egyptian identity. They went on to receive the Torah, inhabit the land of Israel, and become the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Jewish people. Following my TJJ summer experience, I was placed in a relatively similar situation as the Jews who were living in Egypt during the time of the Exodus. I had a choice to either live comfortably as a non-religious, ordinary teenager or I could choose to identify and live as a Jew. I made the choice to live as a proud Jew because I didn’t want to be like the 12 million who were left behind. Instead, I wanted to be like those who ensured the survival of the Jewish future. This passion is what motivated me to grow in NCSY leadership and eventually serve as the current National Board President. One of NCSY’s main goals as an organization is to instill in teenagers across the globe a passion and love for their Jewish identity. Thus far, the National Board has partaken in several programs and initiatives to promote this cause. We kicked off our year with an international response to the Pittsburgh tragedy by initiating a Pirkei Avos learning campaign in memory of the deceased victims. Just a few months later we led a Chanukah
initiative where teens all across the world posted pictures of themselves lighting Chanukah candles with the hashtag #GetLitNCSY. Then, in January, we all had the opportunity for hands on leadership at NCSY’s national convention, Yarchei Kallah, where we ran our own educational sessions. Additionally, we publish a Dvar Torah and Erev Shabbat message from a different teen on social media every Friday afternoon. All of these initiatives have connected Jewish teens to their roots, helping them discover and maintain their identity. Fellow NCSYers, we’re not even close to done yet. We have many more exciting initiatives and programs from your National Board still to come. In life, many of us face the predicament of the clashing between our Jewish and secular identities. When faced with this challenge, remember the 12 million who were forgotten, and the three million who went on to live and ensure Jewish continuity. I am grateful to NCSY for instilling the passion to be a proud Jew within myself and thousands of others. Thanks to NCSY, Jews are inspired and educated to be themselves, ensuring a future in which the Jewish people will choose their Jewish identity over anything which stands in its way.
MAJOR EVENTS AROUND NCSY
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COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS A look back at this year’s regional fundraisers. CHESED ACROSS THE COUNTRY NCSYers across the globe give back to their communities and beyond.
STAYING WARM IN THE WINTER 18 Highlights from this year’s NCSY Winter Regionals.
KALLAH 20 AYARCHEI recap of NCSY’s winter break, Torah-learning, extravaganza for public school teens.
YARCHEI KALLAH: IN THEIR WORDS 23 NCSYer Yael Chimovitz reflects on her personal Yarchei Kallah experience.
NCSY’S CHAG HA’SEMICHA 24 NCSY celebrates its first Chag HaSemicha with the first NCSY Semicha cohort at this year’s StaffCon in Stamford, CT.
NEW YORK More than 60 rappellers went Over the Edge, rappelling 13 stories, while raising more than $50,000 in scholarships for New York NCSY teens hoping to attend NCSY programming this summer in Israel. Pictured here, Associate International Director, Rabbi Keevy Fried, takes the plunge for NY NCSY.
ATLANTIC SEABOARD Over 2000 attendees came together on December 23rd to show their support for Atlantic Seaboard NCSY and hear music from Simcha Leiner, 8th Day and Uri Davidi. At the concert, Atlantic Seaboard surprised guests by opening the 1-360 Raffle, which brought in over $30,000, to support the Atlantic Seaboard Summer Scholarship Fund. Congratulations to Carmiel Strum from Baltimore, MD for winning $10,000!
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TORONTO Meir Cohen, David Diamond, Rabbi Steven Weil, senior managing director of the OU, and Chaim Levy at the NCSY Canada Gourmet Dining Experience.
TORONTO NCSY’s 6th Annual Exclusive Bass Fishing Experience took place at the beautiful lakefront property of Jerry Klasner, where supporters and friends of NCSY Canada spent two days scooping up the bass on Yankton Lake.
NEW JERSEY NCSY teen, Mayan Hirschkorn, addresses the room at the annual Bergen County Leadership Dinner, which took place at ETC Steakhouse in Teaneck, NJ.
DALLAS Ronnen and Shiri Sharvit (L) and Lisa and Carlos Ido (R) pose for a photo while enjoying fine wines from Israel, Chile, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand at a Dallas NCSY fundraiser.
CANADA The 17th annual Kishka Klassic Golf Tournament took place in June on the lush greens at Copper Creek Golf Club, where close to 150 golfers came out to support NCSY. They golfed, bid on exclusive gift items, and enjoyed bar-bque, kishka, sushi, and more.
OREGON The Q, now in its 11th year, was another incredible success. Over 300 people gathered to support the work NCSY does in Oregon, with its Jr. NCSY, NCSY and Akiva on Campus college program at University of Oregon, raising over $170,000 for Jewish programming and scholarships! SPRING 2019
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NEW YORK NY NCSY ReSurf club joins together with the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center as a part of the UJA Federation’s MLK Day of Service.
TEANECK Twenty NJ NCSY teens gathered for the annual Nursing Home Shabbaton at the Rockleigh Jewish Home where they spent Shabbat leading services and running programs for seniors.
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ISRAEL Just after the sheloshim of Ari Fuld hy”d, teens came together for a Friday building project for park benches to be used in Givat Eitam, a new settlement being built in Ari’s name.
TORONTO Twenty-one Live2Give girls spent a three days of spiritual growth and service helping the needy at a number of different New York City locations.
HOUSTON In December, New Jersey and New York NCSY ran a joint Chesed Mission to Houston for fathers and sons. This unique trip was the first of its kind and was an amazing success.
MIDWEST Two dozen Chicagoland teens packed boxes of clothing for Israel’s needy over Presidents Day Weekend on Big Apple Adventure, a joint program of Midwest NCSY, Springboard Chicago, JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Jim Joseph Foundation.
NEW JERSEY NJ NCSY hosted it’s first Chesed Shabbaton. It was an incredible weekend filled with many opportunities for teens to take an active role in chesed activities
GREATER ATLANTA More than 500 teens across the Greater Atlanta area made gifts for children sick in the hospital during the holiday season.
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SOUTHERN More than 230 Southern NCSY teens came together and had a blast at this year’s Winter Regional held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
CHICAGO 4G Over 100 NCSY 4G teens, advisors and staff gathered together at Midwest NCSY’s 5th Annual 4G Shabbaton in early February in Northbrook, IL. Girls from Chicago were joined by girls from Phoenix, AZ, South Bend, IN, Minneapolis, MN, and Baltimore, MD.
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UPSTATE Regional Board members Menucha Krinsky, Tova Granowitz, Yael Gonzalez, and Rachel Sherin at the ruach-filled Winter Regional havdallah.
MIDWEST Students and advisors prepare for havdallah at this year’s Midwest Fall Shabbaton.
GREATER ATLANTA Over 400 teens gathered together for an unbelievable Convention in Marietta, GA. During havdallah, teens were inspired listening to the powerful words of Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, and enjoyed a concert from the musical sensation, Tzidkiyahu.
NEW JERSEY Teens gather for an emotional and inspirational havdallah at this year’s New Jersey Winter Regional.
CENTRAL EAST 180 Junior NCSYers from Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Pittsburgh joined each other for the biggest Junior NCSY Shabbaton in Central East history. The highlight of the Shabbaton was the incredible carnival on Saturday night run by the CE regional board.
MONTREAL Shaar Chapter teens shined as experts on the slopes at the Winter Regional Convention at Mont Gabriel, Quebec. Teens joined other NCSYers from Toronto and Ottawa for a weekend of fun and inspiration.
ISRAEL NCSY Israel hosts 140 NCSYers, advisors, and guests at the annual Winter Getaway Shabbaton. The Shabbaton program included a Friday bowling bash in Beit Shemesh, dancing pre and post Shabbat, and special guest Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director of OU Israel. SPRING 2019
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This past December, a record number of public school teens from across North and South America gathered to spend their winter break in Long Branch, New Jersey at NCSY’s Yarchei Kallah. The premier five-day learning program connects public school teens to their Jewish heritage and is one of NCSY’s most anticipated and popular events. Traditional classroom learning is supplemented with group study, one-on-one chavrutot and late-night discussions with teachers, advisors and fellow NCSYers. After a week of studying Torah and
bonding, teens are imbued with a deep passion for learning about their heritage. Each year, the education programming is centered around a specific text or theme and this year, teens focused on studying the life of our teacher and leader, Moshe Rabbeinu. This year’s event was jam packed with guest-lecturers and featuredspeakers. Teens heard from tech-guru, Hillel Fuld, who spoke about the growing tech industry in the land of Israel as well as the inspiring life of his brother, Ari hy”d, who was murdered earlier this year by a Palestinian
Over 400 public school teens gather in Long Branch, NJ during their winter break to study Torah, specifically lessons learned from the life of Moshe Rabbeinu.
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terrorist. World-renowned musician, Alex Clare, joined the program from Thursday through Shabbos and shared with teens and guests his inspirational story of religious discovery while he navigated the British pop-music world. Thursday night featured an NCSY first, the ‘Conversation Casino,’ in which NCSY teens were brought into a casinolike environment where they were able to win casino chips and prizes based on thoughtful discussion and Jewish learning. The evening featured four, unique and original games created by the NCSY Education department. This year featured for the second year in a row, an optional nightlymishmar program in which teens were able to select different areas of learning that appealed to them. Each participant was given their own sefer to keep, sponsored and subsidized by Touro College. In addition, thousands of dollars of prizes were raffled off for teens who committed themselves to the extra learning, adding to an already electric environment. Friday morning gave Yarchei Kallah teens the ability to ‘Connect to Kindness,’ hearing from an array of speakers and involving themselves hands-on with a number of kindness projects including the ‘Gratitude Laboratory,’ ‘Knock-knock-give-asock’ for the homeless, and training in
‘Strategies of Sensitivity.’ As in years past, this year’s Yarchei Kallah included a number of special scholar-in-residence guests, amongst them, Rabbi Judah Mischel, recently appointed mashpia of the OU and NCSY, as well as Mara D’atra of Congregation Bnei Heichala in Israel; Rabbi Josh Grajower, educator and department chair at the Katz Yeshiva High School; and Shuli Taubes and Rabbi Marc Gotlieb, scholars from the Tikvah
Institute. “With over 400 teens and, for the first time, a large contingent of communal leaders, Yarchei Kallah created an inspired atmosphere where Jews of different ages, backgrounds, and skills were united with their collective heritage and dedication to growth. The program this year studied the life of Moshe, and like Moshe, Yarchei Kallah inspired through empowered learning and immersive experience,” noted Rabbi
Hillel Fuld, Israeli tech-guru, talks to teens about life in Israel and about his brother Ari hy”d who was murdered this year by a Palestinian terrorist.
Dovid Bashevkin, NCSY’s Director of Education. “Yarchei Kallah is truly a magnificent experience, with hundreds of teenagers leraning Torah in a miniyeshiva type environment,” said International Director, Rabbi Micah Greenland. “I have no doubt that Yarchei Kallah 2018 has made a profound difference in the lives of the teens who participated and in the lives of their families.”
NCSYers take part in the Conversation Casino, a series of moral-dilemma and Jewish knowledge games, designed by the NCSY Education department, for this year’s Yarchei Kallah.
NCSYers learn with senior educators during their daily learning sessions before breaking into smaller, advisor-led chaburot.
Teens write and present their own commencement address, a two minute values-pitch, during the “Commencement Corner” at this year’s Yarchei Kallah.
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Rabbis Derek Gormin and Judah Mischel, and music sensation, Alex Clare, lead a Thursday night gathering with Torah, song, and of course, cholent.
Twelfth graders take part in a special lunch and program to learn about Israel gap-year opportunities at the YK Gap Year Fair.
Over 400 teen participants and 350 additional guests spent an inspiring Shabbat on the oceanfront in Long Branch, NJ at this year’s event.
NCSYers come from near and far for the premier Torah event of the year. Pictured here are teens from NCSY South America.
A Yarchei Kallah to remember! Teens getting ready for Shabbat at the largest Yarchei Kallah to date in Long Branch, NJ this past December.
NCSYers having a blast at the NCSY Summer Saturday Night Bash this year at Yarchei Kallah 2018.
Teens gather for the final moments of Shabbat to hear words of inspiration from International director, Rabbi Micah Greenland.
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Yael Chimovitz
My sister Shayna, our friend Sophie Hart and I are co-presidents of the JSU (Jewish Student Union) at our school, Berkley High. During one JSU meeting, Rabbi Jason Cohen encouraged the group to take advantage of an incredible program over winter break. At first, I thought, why would anyone want to go to an educational program during their winter break? I needed convincing because like most teens my age, I would naturally run from something like this.
this was going to be an amazing week. We spent two days in New York City doing some fun things, seeing the Blue Man Group on Broadway, eating at the Essen Kosher Deli on Avenue J and exploring Times Square. It was also interesting to see a real matzah factory and tour the Living Torah Museum.
Yet, as a result of that conversation, my sister and I spent our break in New Jersey learning Torah with more than 400 public school teens from all over the U.S., Canada and South America at NCSY’s Yarchei Kallah Program.
Then, we headed to New Jersey for the national program. From outside, you could already feel the energy bursting from the hotel. The lobby was full of excited people. We woke up early (not my favorite part) and went to our first educational program. At first, I was reluctant to go but then I figured, I should give it a chance. I had a blast!
The energy on the bus to New Jersey was palpable. We drove to Cleveland to pick up the rest of the contingency bound for the sold-out event. The bus was packed! Everyone was so excited. From the bus ride, I could already tell
In my group, we studied Torah and laughed while learning about Moshe and his connection to Hashem. It was amazing to discover how close they were. Afterward, there were activities and some of the most inspirational
speakers, like Alex Clare, an observant Jew, who broke into the music industry and became a hit but still stuck to his Jewish values. Shabbat was special. Having over 400 teens who had experienced an inspired week together is a recipe for an amazing Shabbat. As Shabbat came to a close, we moved to another room where close to 600 people sat in a tight, massive circle for a program, “As Shabbat Ebbs Away.” We sang beautiful songs and heard a powerful presentation from a student and a rabbi. This was followed by a classic NCSY Havdalah service that can only be understood by those who’ve experienced it. This trip has given me some incredible friends and great learning experiences. The power of spending a week with like-minded teens from North and South America who have a true passion for Judaism left an indelible impression on those of us brave enough to try something out of our comfort zone. SPRING 2019
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Reflections by Rabbi Shlomo Mandel, member of the first NCSY Semicha cohort, a program facilitated by NCSY for its staff to receive private rav u’manhig semicha from Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried of the Dallas Kollel: It was at the 2016 NCSY Staff Conference that I was deeply privileged, along with fourteen of my fellow colleagues, to begin my journey as part of the first cohort of the NCSY Semicha program. For me, though, the story actually began around six months prior. I had been working for NCSY in Canada for over a year and was about to get engaged. I had expressed to my fiancée my long-time desire to get a semicha and to learn more about the relevant halachos and laws that would enable me to be a better Jew, future husband and NCSY rabbi. I relayed to her my difficulty in finding a semicha program that covered the proper topics thoroughly, but that could also fit my hectic schedule and, most crucially, empower me to competently handle some of the complex situations that I deal with on a nearly constant basis at NCSY. And so, I had to put my
aspirations of attaining a semicha on the backburner, hoping that one day a program would come along that worked for me. A month later I received an email from the National Director of NCSY, Rabbi Micah Greenland, and Rabbi Israel Lashak, NCSY National Educator, asking if there was interest in a tailormade program for NCSY staff to receive semicha from Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, Dean of the Dallas Kollel and a close talmid of Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach z”l. I quickly responded to that email with a resounding, “YES!” Two and half years later, I have attained a wealth of knowledge in halacha and hashkafa from my involvement in the Semicha Cohort and I am utilizing that knowledge in my daily life as an educator, mentor, and of course, as a rabbi and leader in our community. I feel an incredible sense of gratitude to the OU, their HR department, and NCSY and its leadership for providing such an amazing opportunity for us. But more than the knowledge and confidence my
Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb addresses the musmachim and NCSY staff at this year’s Chag HaSemicha.
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Rabbis Yerachmiel Fried, Jacob Bengio, and Micah Greenland celebrate at this year’s NCSY Chag HaSemicha, held in conjunction with NCSY’ StaffCon.
fellow colleagues have gained, there is one indispensable thing we cherish: a connection with a teacher, mentor, and most importantly, an individual that we now call our rebbe - Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, Rabbinic director of the Semicha program. Rabbi Fried was, and still is, there to support and give guidance to each of us. His care for each of us knows no bounds and the Torah that he has taught and continues to teach us has made an indelible impact on us all. Indeed, working for two years and attaining a Rav u’Manhig Semicha brings much pride, however, there is a much more profound sense of joy in being able to fulfill the words and dictum of our Sages in Pirkei Avos, “Aseh L’cha Rav, make for yourself a teacher.” This Semicha program has given my fellow cohorts and I a beloved mentor, the knowledge to impart genuine Torah thought and halachic practice, and a newfound confidence to educate and empower the future of the Jewish youth.
PROFILES OF THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT MATTER
SOUTHERN SOUL SISTERS 26 Stefanie Kopetman and Leeyan Cohen find
inspiration, and each other, along their respective Southern NCSY journies.
ART FROM THE SOUL 29 Canada NCSYer, Parker Han, turns to his Judaism and NCSY as inspiration for his art.
AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY 32 Denver NCSYer, Rivky Potestio, discusses her
unbelievable journey to NCSY and Orthodox Judaism.
LIVING TO GIVE 34 Columbus, Ohio NCSYer, Drew Samuelson, creates a nationwide giving movement.
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INSPIRATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Shari Glassman discusses how NCSY has inspired her whole family to forge a greater bond with their Judaism.
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AS A TEEN: REBBETZIN FEIGE TWERSKI NCSY Director of Education, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, sits with Rebbetzin Feige Twerski to discuss her teenage years.
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THE NCSY BOX NCSY Education introduces ‘The Box,’ a new series of interactive and educational games for NCSYers and Jewish educators.
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Stefanie Kopetman and Leeyan Cohen might come from different backgrounds, but the two girls, thanks to the help of NCSY, are forging their Jewish identity along the same path. Stefanie grew up in a traditional family, but it wasn’t until she became involved in her high school’s Jewish Student Union club as a freshman that her interest in Judaism was ignited. It was at JSU that she first heard about, and decided to go on, NCSY’s flagship summer program for public school teens, The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ). TJJ is an all-inclusive Israel summer trip designed for public school students who are interested in learning more about their heritage through handson, meaningful experiences. Stefanie went on TJJ twice, first in the summer of her freshman year, and then again the following summer. “My first trip,” Stefanie says, “was very social, meeting other Jewish students and experiencing Orthodox Judaism for the first time.” With the encouragement of her advisor, Shalev Peleg, it was there she kept Shabbos for the first time. Shalev advised Stefanie to put away her phone for just Friday night, and wait until Shabbos day to see if she wanted to use it. Stefanie was able to keep the whole Shabbos, and as Shabbos ended, she went onto the rooftop of the hotel with her group, and sang songs to escort Shabbos away. Suddenly, windows from the surrounding hotel opened, and other people joined in with their singing. Singing together with all these different Jews that she didn’t know, and couldn’t see, emphasized to Stefanie how all
Stefanie and Leeyan ride camels while visiting TJJ this past summer.
Jews are connected, no matter where they come from. Stefanie’s second TJJ stint was focused more on developing her foundation as a Jew and her character. In addition, she met and was integrated into the Southern NCSY family, meeting Rabbi Avi Warman, director of Southern TJJ, and the other TJJ and NCSY staff. It was also on that trip where she first met Leeyan Cohen. Leeyan had been raised in a secular Israeli family, did not have a JSU club at her high school, but had heard about TJJ from good friends and decided to join
Stefanie and Leeyan spending time together at a JSU Shabbaton in 2017.
the program. Leeyan didn’t know much about NCSY, or TJJ for that matter, but wanted to go to Israel. It was only once she was at the airport that she realized that this trip was much more than a way to get to Israel. Although nervous at first, the welcoming spirit of TJJ allowed her to become comfortable with keeping Shabbos on the trip, and to experience all the positive benefits. “I know it sounds cheesy,” Leeyan says, “but it truly was the like they say, the best summer ever.” Her favorite memory was when all the NCSYers were led blindfolded, holding hands, at night, to a balcony overlooking the Kotel. After hearing an emotional story about a child looking for his mother and how the Jewish children have returned home, the participants removed their blindfolds. “I get chills just thinking about that,” says Leeyan. “It was incredible.” Returning home for their junior year of high school, both girls signed up for Yeshivat TJJ, a serious Torah weekly learning program. The two girls were the most consistent participants, not missing a single class. Leeyan called the classes the highlight of her week, studying Chumash, Pirkei Avot, as well as Messilat Yesharim and other seforim. Stefanie and Leeyan were so committed to their new-found passion for Torah learning, they even had independent learning sessions with their advisors outside Yeshivat TJJ. The girls went out of their way to meet up with local advisors, with Stefanie driving an hour to learn with Avi Warman in Boca Raton. “A huge part of why I am so involved in NCSY is because of the staff and advisors,” Stefanie says. “I know SPRING 2019
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that I always have support and someone to talk to.” When NCSY introduced a new public school-track to the all girls NCSY Summer program, Michlelet, regional represenative were asked to submit candidates for the six-week Michelet Mechina program in Israel. Avi Warman didn’t think twice before nominating Leeyan and Stefanie. “These two girls are our most dedicated participants. They come from different worlds, but they are walking similar paths, and the support they provide to each other is heart-warming.” Avi added that Leeyan, as the Regional President of Southern NCSY, and Stefanie, as the TJJ President of Southern NCSY, also hold the most prestigious positions in Southern NCSY, a testament to their enthusiasm for all things NCSY. Michelet Mechina was a very different experience than what the girls were used to. Here, for the first time, they were part of an intense, all girls, full-day learning program. Leeyan said that despite the initial differences, she was able to learn a lot about herself, calling the program very individualized and a great use of her summer. Stefanie embraced the new experience as well, and quickly grew to love the full-time learning. In fact, she soon integrated into the mainstream Michelet classes, enjoying the challenge. The road has not been easy, and introducing changes to their families, like keeping Shabbat and kosher, took time. Both girls plan to go to seminary
in Israel for this upcoming year, after they graduate high school. Their families have accepted the change, and Stefanie’s parents even koshered their kitchen. Socially, the change was also a major transition. Leeyan had gone to a Jewish middle school but switched to a public high school. Going on TJJ and starting her journey with NCSY allowed her to make friends with people who shared her values. Stefanie agreed, saying she has lost some friends, but the experience has defined her as an individual and has strengthened her Jewish identity. Both girls started JSU clubs at their current schools, helping other Jewish students become more familiar with their heritage. Stefanie, who is academically advanced in school, had to begin learning Hebrew from scratch, learning the aleph-bet with Avi. This coming year, she will be attending Midreshet Moriah, a strong academic seminary, with a heavy emphasis on learning. “I want to take full advantage of my year in Israel,” Stefanie explained. “I know my textual skills are not strong, but I can pick classes where I can develop them, as well as work on character development which I love.” Leeyan, a hardworking, diligent student, is fluent in Hebrew and chose Sharfman’s. Initially, she was considering going to a seminary where she could be on a Sephardic track, and stay true to her roots, but when
Stefanie and Leeyan at Southern NCSY Winter Regional this year in Tennessee.
she spoke with the administration at Sharfman’s, something just clicked. “I am used to a strong support system from NCSY,” Leeyan says, “so I wanted a warm, welcoming place.” Sharfman’s, which emphasizes the close relationship between faculty and students is a good fit. Both girls are interested in becoming TJJ staff members when they return to America, so that they can share their experiences and help guide others on their journeys. We look forward to following them on their adventures!
Stefanie and Leeyan, together in Beit Shemesh this past summer, taking part in NCSY Summer’s Michlelet Mechina, an integrated program for public school girls.
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Parker depicts the progression of the Jewish people from biblical times to today in his Torah High Jewish Values and Ethics class.
For NCSYer and talented teen artist Parker Han, maintaining a connection to Judaism is not only of paramount importance to him as he grows into adulthood, but it’s also a commonly recurring theme in his artwork. After graduating from Hebrew school, Parker was set to attend his local public high school in Thornhill, Ontario. But he wanted to ensure he could still pursue Jewish learning and continue to foster his Jewish identity, so he joined NCSY’s Torah High, a program that offers Jewish studies courses to Jewish public high school teens for academic credit. “From my Torah High classes, I’ve learned meaningful things about Judaism but I’ve also gained a new perspective on how I can make Judaism a big part of my life even if I’m in an environment that’s not necessarily Jewish, like my school,” said Parker, who also began attending weekly Jewish Student Union (JSU) club meetings. He continued, “I’ve also met some great new friends and enhanced my social life by participating in NCSY events.” He recently attended an NCSY Shabbaton in New York, and he regularly participates in seminars and yom tov-related programming. “NCSY is important because it reaches young people and helps foster 30
a connection between them and their Judaism,” said Parker. “I think that’s a critical thing to offer the world.” Parker recalled a particular assignment in his Jewish Values and Ethics class in his freshman year at Torah High. Students were tasked with creating an independent study project about the Holocaust. Carefully using his iPad and stylus, Parker created a masterpiece that demonstrates how the Holocaust relates to him as a young Jewish adult living in the modern digital
age.
“I drew the progression of the Jewish people from biblical times to today, including scenes from the exodus from Egypt, the crusades, the pogroms, and then David Ben Gurion announcing the declaration of the state of Israel,” explained Parker. “At the top, I drew my family, a maple leaf and the Magen David, and myself spreading the light of the torch through a doorway. The picture represents how we must hold on to our Jewish identity and way of life
A scenic landscape made by Parker when he was just seven years old.
and pass on the torch from generation to generation.” Parker often translates his learning and observations from his life into art. He’s so artistically-inclined that his notes from class are often transcribed as characters and diagrams rather than words. Although he’s only 16, Parker already has years of artistic experience. He received his first sketch pad when he was four years old, and it’s rarely left his side since. He draws almost everything he observes, and he happens to be a particularly keen observer of human nature. “I was born prematurely at only 25 weeks, and I spent the following four months in the hospital,” explained Parker. “My mother always told me that because I didn’t walk until I was two years old, I just kind of sat there and watched people. I developed this uncanny ability to observe everything around me.” “Parker definitely spent more time looking at the world than others,” confirmed Simone Labi-Han, Parker’s mother. “He sees things differently than others, and this contributes to his ability as an expressive artist.” Parker draws in a variety of mediums—pencil, ink, acrylic paint, marker and pencil crayon, or with his Ipad stylus for interesting detailed effects. Parker recently traveled to Israel with his family to visit his many cousins who live there. True to form, he bought his trusty sketchbook with him. As he traveled from ancient to modern sites, each one was depicted with detailed precision and insight, complete with personal notes, in his travel sketchbook. “I particularly liked the contrast between old and new buildings in Tel Aviv,” said Parker. “I enjoyed the shuk, too. It was so much hustle and bustle.” While almost anything can be a subject of Parker’s artistic interpretation, he feels most fulfilled when he uses it to express his passion for ideas, including his feelings about Judaism and NCSY. Last Pesach, he transformed his living room into a tent and led the seder inside of it, using drawings of the holidays he made as props to entertain and educate his cousins. He’s designed sets and banner art for his synagogue’s annual Purim spiels, too. When it comes to thinking about the future, Parker hopes to become a professional artist one day. “I’d love to find something that involves illustration or animation, so I can express my creativity and do what I love,” he said. “I’d also like to continue my involvement with the Jewish community.”
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There’s no one typical journey of an NCSY teen. But the journey of Rivky Potestio, the current president of NCSY in Denver, CO, is a little more unusual than most. Just over a decade ago, her father was a pastor to Apostolic Assembly, a small, largely Spanishspeaking church in Pueblo, a town on the front range of the Rocky Mountains. But then a pathway toward Orthodox Judaism opened up for the Potestios, and led to a Torah-observant lifestyle in which NCSY plays a prominent role for the Potestios’ middle child. “My father was not only the pastor, but our whole family was deeply involved in the church,” explained Rivky, who has one older sister and one younger brother. “If my siblings and I weren’t in school, we were at church. But then my father started having questions.” They were spiritual and theological questions that church officials could not answer satisfyingly for him, and Rivky’s father grew frustrated. After exploring other religions, Judaism seemed to make a lot of sense to him and his wife. Rivky’s parents got connected with Rabbi Moshe Eliezer Liberow in Colorado Springs, who answered some lingering questions and then connected the family to Rabbi Yisroel Engel of Chabad in Denver. It was with Rabbi Engel that Rivky, her brother and her parents began - and ultimately completed the process of conversion to Judaism. The family also moved to Denver to be closer to the Chabad and a more vibrant Jewish community. Rivky, who was 9 at the time her family made these transformative shifts in their lives, found it hard to move away from her cousins and grandmother, with whom she was very close. But the difficulty intensified when her parents enrolled her in the fourth grade at a local Orthodox Jewish day school. “I didn’t know how to read or write Hebrew, or even just the alef beis, when I became a yeshiva day-school student,” said Rivky, who spent hours being tutored in the fundamentals just to keep up. It was also difficult for Rivky socially. “None of my classmates had ever encountered anyone with my kind of background, and I don’t think they knew how to relate to someone who was coming from such a different place than them,” Rivky explained. High school was a social game changer for Rivky. As a student at the Modern Orthodox Denver Academy of Torah (DAT), Rivky easily found a peer group. “I think I was able to have an easier time socially because DOT had a laid-back environment and high school students are older,” she said. “My new friends were better able to relate to me.” When Rivky was in tenth grade, an NCSY presence was revitalized in Denver. But Rivky didn’t attend the first Regional because it didn’t sound like her social scene. “All my friends returned from Regional having had a fantastic time and raving about it,” recalled Rivky. “I decided to start off my involvement by attending Latte ‘n Learn
Rivky delivers a weekly dvar Torah for Southwest NCSY on the chapter’s Facebook page.
classes, which I really enjoyed. Soon enough, I was attending Shabbatons and Regionals. From NCSY, I got this feeling that for the first time in a long time, I belonged.” For Rivky, NCSY became a safe place in which she could ask questions, grow at her own pace, and feel confident that she was thriving in her Judaism without the pressure of having to keep up with anyone else further along in the journey. “At NCSY, if you go to a learning event, you’re there because you want to learn, not because anyone is forcing you to be there,” explained Rivky. “At NCSY, I’m able to daven freely without being pressured to do it just because that’s what everyone else is doing. NCSY not only helped me become more comfortable with myself, but now, I’m confident and proud to tell people I’m Jewish.” The summer before her junior year, Rivky was asked to join the board and take charge of the social action programming, which meant coordinating chesed projects for NCSY members. “I loved becoming involved with giving back to the community,” said Rivky. “It also allowed me to take on a role with some responsibility and teamwork, which was good training for me to take on a more senior administrative role on the NCSY board.” The next summer, Rivky went on NCSY’s GIVE program, which immerses teen girls in volunteer experiences that give back to the people and land of Israel. “Participating on GIVE helped grow my appreciation for Judaism and NCSY, and cemented my decision to apply for president of the board for my senior year,” said Rivky. It’s a position she not only won handily but in which she’s currently excelling, according to Rabbi Yisrael Katz, city director of Denver NCSY. “Rivky is well-liked by everyone
with whom she interacts, which I think stems from her experience with conversion,” said Rabbi Katz. “Because she felt out of place until she found her place within the Jewish community, she has a unique sensitivity toward all people of all backgrounds. She welcomes everyone, not just her friends. This is rare in a younger person, and I think it helps Rivky be a more empathetic and effective NCSY president.” As for Rivky, taking on the role of president has helped her learn a lot of important life lessons. “There’s definitely an element of the separation of church and state,” she laughed. “I have to remember that my friends are wonderful, but when they’re on the board with me, I have to be a fairminded leader. Time management is also a critical skill to master, as events come up fast and you need the time to prepare accordingly and in advance.” But the most important lesson has proven to really benefit Rivky in all areas of her extraordinary life. “As NCSY president, I’ve truly gone out of my comfort zone and also learned just how important that is for growth,” Rivky explained. “I used to be really scared of public speaking, but this year, I’ve spoken at Denver regional and at a local parlor meeting. Things that scare me usually end up benefiting me in the long run, so I need to just do it. And I do.” Rivky plans to attend Tiferet Seminary in Israel next year - but wherever her Jewish journey takes her, NCSY will remain an integral part of it. “Being involved in NCSY and being Jewish showed me that I have a greater purpose in life,” declared Rivky. “Whereas I once looked at Judaism as burdensome, I now think of it as a privilege to be a part of something so big. And that’s thanks to NCSY.”
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For most people, seeing a homeless person on the street conjures sympathy that extends no further than a pitying look or dollar tossed into the accompanying receptacle. But Drew Samuelson is not most people. The 18-year old in Columbus, Ohio, is a high school senior busy with his duties on the Columbus NCSY Chapter Board as Jr. NCSY President and getting ready for his year in Israel and college - but somehow, he’s also managed to find the time to found a tzedakkah organization called NCSY Achdus that’s quickly growing into a national entity. Achdus began with a kernel of an idea on a chilly Sunday morning in October of 2018. Drew was driving with his mother in his neighborhood when he noticed a homeless man on the street trying to keep warm. Drew and his mom also happened to have trays of schnitzel left over from Shabbat in the car. Without too much thinking, Drew instinctively rolled down the car window and offered the food to the homeless man, who looked at the windfall before him with wonder. He immediately said how excited he was to share the food with his friends. Drew was struck with the innate generosity that this person possessed. “I thought, here’s a person with so little, who wants to share what little he does have with his friends,” explained Drew. “How much more should I, in a more privileged position than this person, try and do good?” Drew got right to work designing and hanging up flyers at his school, Columbus Torah Academy, asking students to donate items to a winter coat drive. The response was overwhelming. Students donated much more than coats, and people began calling him to ask how they could get involved. Achdus was born (in more ways than one) and the organization became more formalized with a website on which it sums up its mission: “One People, One Purpose.” Drew appointed friends of his from camp and through NCSY to lead their own drives in various schools through the United States. There’s currently an Achdus presence in Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, New Jersey, New York, and Toronto, CA. “Drew is a passionate and inspired teen who leads by example,” declares Michal Perlmutter, Drew’s NCSY chapter advisor. “He is full of life and a yearning to give and do what is right. Once this chesed idea struck Drew, he didn’t wait around; he threw himself in wholeheartedly, making this incredible organization what it is right now!” Drew has been involved with NCSY since his freshman year of high school. “I attend every NCSY Shabbaton that I can,” he said. And now, he has an added
Drew distributes clothing and blankets to the needy on a cold winter day.
mission in mind when doing so. At a recent Cleveland NCSY Shabbaton, Drew ran a drive that received an abundance of clothing and helped bring the total of items he’s helped distribute so far to about 3,000. The clothing is distributed to local shelters or directly to people in need on the street. “Drew has always been caring and considerate, but I was completely filled with nachas when I saw his efforts to fight homelessness,” said Pamela Samuelson, Drew’s mother. “When he got the idea, he remained laser focused on it. I’d come up to his room and most moms might expect their teens to be playing video games, but he was working on launching Achdus.” “Drew comes from a wonderful, growing and giving family which makes it easy to see where he has inherited his love for others and his passion for Judasim,” continued Michal. Drew sees his NCSY involvement as a natural complement to his non-profit management. “NCSY brings unity to Jews of all different backgrounds who share a common goal to become closer to Hakadosh Baruch Hu,” said Drew. “That’s a beautiful thing, as is the amount of kiruv the organization does on a regular basis. I’m privileged to be a part of it.” Drew hopes to study at Yeshiva University and train to become a psychiatrist. And he also hopes to continue running Achdus, and making
it as impactful as possible. “It seems obvious to me that we should treat others how we want to be treated,” Drew said. To become involved with bringing Achdus to your area, please contact Drew at achdusinfo@gmail.com
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In July of 2018, I had the honor of being selected by Nechama Kamelhar to go on the JWRP Momentum trip to Israel with NCSY TJJ for Moms. I was honestly very nervous to go but truly felt that this would be the one time that I would get to go to Israel. Within a few days of our arrival, it was clear to me that my fears were unfounded, and while this was my first time in Israel, it was certainly not going to be my last. I fell in love with the tradition, the beauty and the sense of belonging that only comes with being in Israel. More importantly, my eyes were opened to the spiritual side of Judaism through the captivating and uplifting lectures and activities. I was sharing this experience with fifteen women who I quickly became connected to, as well as two city leaders that grew into lifelong friends. Nechama would be the first Orthodox person that I ever became friends with. From the moment I met her, I was drawn to her kindness and openness. I never feel judged for not knowing something Jewish and only feel inspired by her love of Jewish tradition and values. I knew that I was going to leave Israel a different person than when I arrived. Since my trip, I feel that my own life, as well as the life of my family, has changed for the better. I have attended Shabbat numerous times at Nechama’s house and each time, I leave with the feeling that my life is being enriched because of these experiences. I have taken what I have learned there and applied it in a practical way when dealing with my daily circumstances. My kids enjoy going and even my teenager asks, when can we go back. The other leader, Tiffany, hosted us for Shabbat during Sukkot and so we were able to enjoy her sukkah. That was a new experience for us all. My kids have now been exposed to a culture within their own culture which has only further enriched their lives as well. As a result of Nechama’s interaction with my fifteen-year-old son, he has worked
On the JWRP Momentum trip in Israel, part of the NCSY TJJ for Moms experience.
to bring NCSY to his high school. My eleven-year-old daughter has increased her participation and engagement at Hebrew school. She comes home discussing the weekly parsha and because I am now involved with a Torah partner through JWRP, I can participate in that discussion. I would never have been open to this type of learning before this year. In addition, the dialogue in our house has changed. Before this experience began I thought that I was giving my kids their Jewish values by sending them to Hebrew school, celebrating holidays and occasionally attending synagogue. Now I see that I was missing the spiritual side of Judaism - the neshama of Judaism. It is so difficult for me to quantify the effect that this year long journey has had on me. To say it goes beyond my connection to Israel, my deeper understanding of what it means to be Jewish, and my need to impart this all to my family, is an understatement. I cannot imagine my life without this experience and can only imagine that the result is limitless. The opportunities that NCSY has made available to me and my family has been so. During a recent Shabbat, we attended a beautiful evening at the Young Israel of Woodmere. This being my first time visiting an Orthodox synagogue for a Shabbat event, I was
excited and nervous. I was immediately made to feel welcomed by the NCSY staff who welcomed guests at the door. The women were first invited to light candles and learn the meaning of this tradition. We then joined the service which was surprisingly filled with familiar prayers but also included dancing and singing. At the services conclusion, Charlie Harary spoke about unlocking greatness as the audience hung on to his every word. We all headed downstairs to a beautiful traditional Shabbat meal. It was amazing to see over 200 people, both Orthodox and secular families, sitting at tables, sharing this special evening. After dinner, the adults attended a session with Stephen Savitsky, a former President of the OU, while the children were entertained by a magician. Mr. Savitsky provided closing statements that really brought the entire event full circle. The evening was a huge success, evidenced by the fact that so many women have reached out to me to discuss what this event has meant to them. It was another step in bringing those lessons we learned in Israel home to our families. It was also a chance for our children to get a glimpse of how meaningful NCSY is to us. We hope that this was just the beginning of a lifelong relationship that allows us to be a part of future programming together.
Shari, her family, and hundreds of others gather together for a Shabbat of Inspiration hosted by NCSY this past February in Woodmere, NY. SPRING 2019
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NCSY Director of Education, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, sits with Rebbetzin Feige Twerski to discuss her teenage years. Rebbetzin Feige Twerski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has devoted her life to Jewish education and outreach, giving lectures worldwide on a myriad of Judaic subjects. She is a mother of 11 children, and many grandchildren whose number she refuses to divulge. She serves as the Rebbetzin along side her husband, Rabbi Michel Twerski, of Congregation Beth Jehudah of Milwaukee. RABBI DOVID BASHEVKIN: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak, Rebbetzin. Much of what we do is we talk with leaders from the Jewish community about their teenage experience and I was wondering if we could start by talking a little bit about what life was like for you as a teenager? Where did you grow up? What were your experiences as a teenage girl? REBBETZIN FEIGE TWERSKI: Well, I think my experiences will turn out to have been significantly different than most of the people you interview because I came from Europe as a child. I came as a refugee. I was born in Romania and we were in a refugee camp in Italy. Actually, my father was in a labor camp during the war years and I was born when he was in the labor camp in a cellar where my mother was hiding out. My father had been a
Rav in Poltechen and my father decided that even though at that time a Russian Communist had taken over and there was no immediate danger to Jews at that point, he had wanted to take the family and leave. We boarded a ship to go to Eretz Yisrael but when we got to the shores, the British said they had enough Jews - their quota was met - they had no use for us, and so they turned our ship around and sent us away. We didn’t know where we were going to go. We ended up in Greece for a while and then we were in Italy for a year and a half until we got papers to come to America. I came to America when I was 7 years old. We were in Manhattan for a while in the refugee hotel and eventually my father got a job as a Rav in a shul in Bensonhurst and that’s where he was until the time he passed away. I grew up in Bensonhurst. In Bensonhurst, I went to Bais Yaakov - first, Bais Yaakov Brighton, then Bais Yaakov of Boro Park, and then seminary in Williamsburg. Those were basically my teenage years as I got married very young. I wasn’t even 18 when I got married. I’m from a chassidishe family. RDB: What type of chassidim were you affiliated with? RFT: My father was a Vizhnitzer chassid so he believed very strongly in marrying off his children young, as most Chassidim do – some time before they got too smart, you know. And so my teenage years, were very few short years. I tell a lot of my chevra - the young ladies at the schools when I go to talk in my community - that I loved learning, I relished learning. I am the second oldest in a family of six. I had a lot of responsibility at home and the only time I had for myself was going to school.
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For me, school was vacation and I loved going. I loved learning and I was very, very happy that I took learning seriously because at that time, when you’re young and a teenager, your mind is fresh and you can absorb things. When you get older and you’re burdened by responsibilities, it takes much longer to absorb information. To this day, I draw on the learning I did then. RDB: Did you have a favorite subject? RFT: Limudei Kodesh, obviously, were more precious to me. My father z”l, was a big advocate for his girls. We were three and three and my father would sit down and open a Gemara - I would never learn inside a Gemara because my Zeide forbade it. He didn’t believe in women learning Gemara but my father would open the Gemara
and teach me out of the Gemara what the Gemara said. And as a matter of fact, my mother was very frustrated because my father would never do that for my brothers - you would think a father would take his sons and would want to learn with them - but with me he would sit there for the longest time. He really enjoyed it and we really enjoyed our time together studying. I loved Rashi. I loved Mefarshim. I loved Tanach. I just enjoyed it very much and I had wonderful teachers in Bais Yaakov. RDB: In the Bais Yaakov, were there also secular studies? RFT: Yes, of course. And I liked that too. I loved writing, and that comes in handy today because I do my writing, my books and my weekly column in Ami Magazine. RDB: I’m a Mishpacha Magazine columnist, but we could…well, this is a peace partition here, like the Middle East Accords. RFT: Right, exactly. I won’t hold it against you. RDB: Were you reading literature or books as a teen? RFT: Yes, I devoured books. I devoured the classics. In those days, the world hadn’t moved to the right like it has today. Today everything is assur. In Bais Yaakov and schools, nothing passes in terms of religious acceptability. In those days, there was no such thing, so I read all the classics. RDB: Did you have a favorite? RFT: Did I have a favorite? I mean there were so many. I liked A.J. Cronin. RDB: And that is where you developed as a writer, as a communicator? RFT: I loved the relationships in the books. You get a sense that it helped me with my counseling. You got a sense of people and the struggles of people and you get a sense of the human condition. And none of that has changed that much. It’s still the same thing. People still deal with their frailties and their worth, their blemishes, their strengths, their weaknesses. Those things haven’t changed very much. RDB: What did young ladies like yourself do at that time for fun? Did you have hobbies outside of the home? RFT: Oh! I was very athletic. I loved handball, we would play ball out in the yard. RDB: I could tell when I first approached you. I said to myself, ‘This is a handball player.’ I can tell.
RFT: It must be your Mishpacha Magazine training. We had a wonderful time. We went on trips, and we hung out together. We did the same thing girls do today. We talked on the phone endlessly - that hasn’t changed - women and the phone. Women, relational beings, you know could talk forever. JOSH WEINBERG: No movies, chas vi’shalom, right? RFT: No, no movies. RDB: Was it challenging growing up in the home of a Rav? RFT: My father was a Rav, we lived in Bensonhurst, which was a very modern, open community. There were very few frum people. It was the days before Bais HaTalmud moved in so all of our neighbors were secular people, though most were Jewish. My friends on the block, none of them were frum, but that didn’t make a difference to me. My father, even though he was a chassidishe rebbe, loved all types of people. He never wanted to move. He had offers to move to Williamsburg, right smack in the middle - in Yiddish they say di’smetene, in the sour cream, in the thick of it - but he never wanted it. You couldn’t box him in. In the summers, we went to Tannersville with the Yekkeshe olam and the Breuers community and he loved them too. RDB: Who were your key mentors and influences as a teenager? RFT: Of course, it goes without question, my parents. We were very close. But I’d have to say, I was closer with my father than with my mother. My mother was a huge role model for me, though. She was one of those individuals, it’s hard to feel like her example is even relevant, because she was so unbelievable. Her whole life was a life of devotion, devotion to my father, like nobody - it’s mind boggling and devotion to her children. RDB: Was she also from a Chassidishe home? RFT: Yes, she was the one who had the yichus in the family. She was the seventh generation directly from the Baal Shem Tov so she incorporated all of the major dynasties. RDB: Did her father have a particular affiliation? RFT: Her father was a child of Belz and he was a Twersky with a ‘y’. He was a major, major talmid chacham, and from all sides she was a bas kedosha. She was very unusual, a very smart woman. She stood behind my father in every which way and
when they say it’s the woman that makes the man, it’s true. He never could have done what he did without my mother. She really served as a huge role model for the entire family and anybody who knew her. My father was one of these magnificent personalities. When he walked in, the band played. He had a presence that was magical. He spoke for 10,000 people in Madison Square Garden. RDB: Did he speak English? RFT: No. He only spoke Yiddish, even to people in Milwaukee. He came to Milwaukee and people used to say, ‘I didn’t understand anything he said, but I love the way he said it.’ They got the gist of it because he was all heart, all emotion. He could make an audience cry one minute and laugh the next. You know, when it’s devarim ha’yotzim min ha’lev nichnasen la’lev - things that come from the heart go straight into another person’s heart. That’s who he was. So he had this public profile and my mother was behind the scenes. She was the power behind the throne. RDB: Did you have any particular struggles or difficulties as a teenager? RFT: You know, there are things that every youngster struggles with: feeling inadequate at certain points, are you good looking enough, are you smart enough, concerns about what your future is going to be like, too much responsibility, too little responsibility. I think that these are some things that all teenagers have in common. RDB: And who would you turn to when you were going through a difficult time? RFT: I had very good friends and we would talk together. And as far as somebody, a mentor? I don’t remember. I had very good teachers but I don’t think I ever availed myself…you know at that time, it wasn’t customary that you went to someone and looked for a guidance counselor, a psychologist. It wasn’t the norm at that time. You know, you just dealt with things. And you know, today everything is an issue. Today, everyone has got to label everything - ADD, ADHD, and we give everything a label and then you excuse a lot of behavior with those labels. Back then it was just like, come on, get it together. RDB: If you could go back and address the teenage you, what advice would you tell yourself as a teenager? RFT: You know, I guess I would tell myself what every teenager would want to know, and that’s that it’s gonna be okay. Not only a teenager, every person would want to know. My brother in law, Dr. Twerski, always said, that people used to tape ball games when you had some previous engagement and couldn’t watch the game. SPRING 2019
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Rebbetzin Feige Twerski addresses NCSY’s female staff this past October at NCSY’s annual StaffCon in Stamford, CT. By the time you came home to watch the tape, you already knew the outcome, who won. He said, it was such a different kind of thing, watching a game when you knew that the team had already won. Even if they made a mistake of some sort, whatever it was, you didn’t get bent out of shape, because you knew the outcome was going to be okay. He said that that is the definition of emunah and bitachon, knowing that if the Ribono Shel Olam is in charge, the outcome is going to be okay. Then we would interact with life in a much more easygoing way. And I think with teenagers, if they could be assured that you’re going through all this - they worry about if they’ll find somebody they are really going to love, and if they are going to do okay, whatever is on their mind - if you could say to them, you know what? The end of the story is good and your team’s going to win, then things would be much better. Don’t obsess about things but just trust that it’s going to be okay. RDB: You mentioned a little bit about how the Bais Yaakov’s were different then. Can you speak a little bit more about how the teenage experience - the Bais Yaakov experience - has changed? Maybe a few more examples— what it was like then, compared to what it is now. RFT: We live in a very difficult world. And the influences out there, with the technology today, and just the world having become--you know, its sick. The world out there is sick in so many ways. So the frum world tries to counteract that with greater stringencies: don’t do this,
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don’t do that, don’t, don’t, don’t, a whole series of don’ts, in an effort to keep our communities pure and to whatever extent we can keep those influences out. I’m not sure. I mean some overdue it. My sister is a rebbetzin in a chassidishe community in Williamsburg— she’s the Tzelemer Rebbetzin and she’s a magnificent, unbelievable human being. In that community, everything is assur, everything is forbidden. And I talk to her many times and I say, ‘You can’t knock everything. You know you make everything forbidden… forbidden fruit is sweet.’ So I think that while we have to have fences around things and we have to be careful, I think it has to be done with seichel. Don’t make everything treif. RDB: Is there anything in your home, between us… RFT: And the tape recorder… RDB: …that you said, you know, this is something that I’m going to be ok with in my home, that you think other people are doing differently? RFT: You know, I respect people who do not have any internet in their home - I wouldn’t tell them to do differently. I do have filtered internet in my home for a whole variety of reasons: the stuff I write, the stuff I send, etc. My husband needs it for a number of things. My grandson who lives in Milwaukee does not have any internet. He has little kids and he does not want it to be in the home. He goes to shul to use the internet – they have it there, but
he will not have it in the house. Everybody needs to be honest with themselves and know what they can handle and what they can’t handle. RDB: Maybe in a kum v’asei level, proactively, what would you recommend a book, an experience - for teens nowadays to have? RFT: There are a lot of wonderful books that have come out today, books about tzaddikim, books about great women. RDB: Is there one you would recommend? Is there one you would give to this generation? RFT: I don’t know if they’d like what I like. I like The Thirteen Petalled Rose by Adin Steinsaltz. It’s wonderful. It’s a layman’s approach to kabbalah and I loved it and I haven’t seen it recently. I loved the books by Heschel: The Earth is the Lord’s, The Sabbath. RDB: Did you read that growing up? RFT: I did. I liked these books. Again, I read the classics, which were not Jewish books. And I read all of those and I really, really enjoyed them. RDB: Well, thank you so much for making the time, Rebbetzin. I very much enjoyed this. RFT: Hatzlacha to you in everything that you do.
The Box is a set of Jewish educational cards, with the look and feel of professional playing cards, that are meant to spark interactive Jewish conversations and ideas. Whether a Shabbos table, a family trip, or just a get-together, The NCSY Box will have everyone talking.
greatest moment or forget your worst moment, would you rather have the power to know when other people are lying or the power to always be believed for your lies. There are over sixty cards in the set complete with questions and sources to consider.
1) WOULD YOU RATHER CARDS
Each moral dilemma card asks the reader to imagine how they would react to a certain morally-challenging scenario. One side presents the scenario, while the other side adds another consideration into the equation. For instance, how would you react if you were a principal who found out your star teacher was evading paying taxes? What about if it was someone else asking you to give this teacher a recommendation? Another example: You flunk an important test and instead
One side of each card poses a thought provoking and or fun question, such as would you rather give a thousand dollars of charity to one person or one dollar to a thousand people. On the other side of the card are sources from the gamut of rabbinic wisdom - in both Hebrew and English, to help navigate the “Would You Rather” question. Other examples include, would you rather have a moving speech at your wedding or funeral, would you rather relive your
2) MORAL DILEMMA CARDS
of a retest, the teacher offers to just change your grade so long as you don’t tell anyone - would you do it? What about if your acceptance to college was riding on the exam. The questions are designed to cultivate meaningful, moral conversations that have participants re-examine their internal ethical composition. 3) CONVERSATION CARDS
These cards are great ice-breakers. On one side is a fun conversation starter while on the other side is an inspirational quote that relates to the question. Describe three things that happen in a perfect day? If you could have lunch with anyone from history who would that be? What was your most irrational fear as a child? Starting conversations can be hard - these cards make it easy.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT NCSY.ORG/SHOP SPRING 2019
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NOW AVAILABLE
FROM NCSY EDUCATION
Passover is when we tell our collective story as a people. Nearly all Jews celebrate, in some form or another, the Passover Seder. As such, it is an incredible opportunity to provide inspirational content to help facilitate Jews to find a meaningful connection to the larger story of their people. Despite the popularity of the holiday and companion Haggadahs, there are little to no Haggadahs that are geared specifically for teens and young adults. Many Haggadahs are made for young children and there is a huge selection for learned adults, but a Haggadah geared both in content and style to a millennial audience still seems to be lacking. Enter the NCSY Haggdah. Known as The NCSY “Just One” Haggadah, it was designed with a captivating layout and moving graphics -- accompanied by one powerful and resonant idea on each section of the Seder. No more, will you be turning pages just to finish the third long idea running through the commentary on the bottom of the page. This Haggadah was designed with a clear focus on “just one” idea, making each page and moment in the Seder come alive. This Haggadah is perfect for a teen, college student, or any family that wants fresh new ideas to inspire their Passover experience.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT
NCSY.ORG/SHOP
HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE NCSY UNIVERSE
SPRING 2019
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ATLANTIC SEABOARD Rabbi Jonah Lerner, Regional Director 410.358.6279 // atsoffice@ncsy.org atlanticseaboard.ncsy.org
Balitmore, MD Mordi Spero - sperom@ncsy.org
BALTIMORE KICKS OFF LARGEST SENATOR BEN CARDIN PROGRAM EVER! Baltimore kicked off the Senator Ben Cardin Scholars Program with 59 teens from 14 different schools across Baltimore which is the largest group of teens to participate ever before! Teens get to learn about different Jewish Leadership topics with mentors from the community, while then hearing from a speaker on that topic. After 9 weeks of sessions, the participants from the Senator Ben Cardin Scholars Program from across the region come together in DC to lobby on Capitol Hill, while getting the chance to speak with Senator Ben Cardin himself.
JUMP The JUMP team at Hebrew Academy Montreal put together an inclusion shabbaton in line with their project for JUMP on Jewish Disability Integration within our communities. With help from the Friendship Circle and Yachad, the shabbos was a wonderful success!
WINTER REGIONAL Montreal Shaar chapter teens shined as experts on the slopes at the Winter Regional Convention at Mont Gabriel, Quebec. The teens joined other NCSYers from Toronto and Ottawa for a weekend of fun and inspiration. They were led by advisors Olivia Bensimon and Jacob Levy and shinshinim Tomer Orzel and Keren Sagron, from the CJA Israel Initiative Shinshin Program. The teens had a blast downhill skiing, ice shaking, snow tubing, and connecting to each other and the beauty of Shabbat.
Ottawa, CA
Vancouver, BC Rabbi Ariel Wilchfort - ariel@ncsy.ca
SHABBAT SHABANG MOUNTAIN RESORT
IN
CYPRESS
Twenty Vancouver NCSYers hit the slopes at the Cypress Mountain Resort after a beautiful Shabbat Shabbang,” with a special teen minyan and shabbat lunch at the home of City Director Ariel Wilchfort and program coordinator Ayala Wilchfort.
CENTRAL EAST Rabbi Tzali Freedman, Regional Director 888.471.4514 // centraleast@ncsy.org centraleast.ncsy.org
Columbus, OH Rabbi Dovid Kimche - kimched@ncsy.org
Rabbi Dave Rotenberg - rabbidave@torahigh.org
Detroit, MI
Greater Washington, MD
JUNIOR SPA EVENING
Rabbi Dovid Lichtig - lichtigd@ncsy.org
Rabbi Aryeh Wielgus - wielgus@ncsy.org
Junior NCSY girls in Ottawa created a spa evening for women. The girls created blood orange rosemary infused water, citrus ginger shots, mini salads & health bars. They also had lots of fun in the candle light yoga room with charcoal face masks.
JSU AND NCSY CROSSOVER EVENTS
CHANUKAH TOY DRIVE On Chanukah, Greater Washington NCSY teens got together to create a toy drive to benefit Yad Yehuda, a local organization dedicated to helping families struggling to make ends meet. By the conclusion of the drive, nearly 100 toys were donated and collected by our teens!
Cherry Hill, NJ Rabbi Mordechai Snyder - RabbiMo@ncsy.org
Philadelphia, PA Rabbi Yitz Levi - rabbiyitz@ncsy.org
PHILADELPHIA PACKS FOOD Philadelphia JSU joined together with JRA for their monthly food packing event. Over 30 teens from 5 different public schools came together on an early Sunday morning to help pack up food boxes for over 3000 families. No better way to give back than joining hundreds of other people giving back to their community.
Richmond, VA Ariella Sherman -shermana@ncsy.org
JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL Over 75 Richmond NCSY teens volunteered their time at the Richmond Jewish Food festival in January. The Jewish Food Festival helps raise funds for the Jewish community, along with the cultural arts scene in Richmond.
CANADA Rabbi Glenn Black, CEO 905.761.6279 // blackmail@ncsy.ca canada.ncsy.org
Montreal, QC Mindy Zobin - mindy@ncsy.ca
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2018 HAVDALLAH CEREMONY On a cold winter Saturday night, the NCSY Junior Ottawa crew gathered with instruments for a musical havdallah at the home of Mindy Chein, NCSY Ottawa’s Junior Coordinator. The treats were delicious, the singing was great and everyone blessed each other for a great week!
Toronto, ON Rabbi Gavry Mandel -gavry@ncsy.ca
THE SHABBAT PROJECT Close to 1000 Women came out to the Montecassino Hotel for NCSY’s Community Challah Bake in honour of the Shabbat Project Toronto. Keynote speaker Nitsana Darshan Leitner, founder of Shurat HaDin, inspired the crowd with her bold and fearless stand against terror groups.
JEWISH FAMILY EXPERIENCE & TJJ FOR MOMS TJJ for Moms, a division of NCSY’s Jewish Family Experience (JFX), took its fourth group of moms to Israel with the JWRP in November. Fourteen women joined Rina Deutsch, Director of JFX; and Jody Berkel, Associate Coordinator, JFX; on a once in a lifetime trip to discover the land of Israel, its history, heritage, and the people connected to it. With stops in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Tzefat, Masada, and the Dead Sea, this eight-day experience was life changing.
TORAH HIGH STUDENTS GO ON MARCH OF THE LIVING Twenty-five Torah High students, enrolled in the school’s Canadian and International Politics & March of the Living course, traveled to Poland with their teacher Yafit Atlas to take part in the March of the Living program, which culminated in Israel where they marked Yom Hazikaron and celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Detroit NCSY started a new initiative which has integrated JSU and NCSY students by pitting them against each other in friendly competition! Some successful events have been joint NCSY/JSU Lazer Tag competitions and Bubble Soccer games which had teams of JSU students competing against teams of NCSYers!
DETROIT NCSY HELD ITS FIRST EVER JR. CHAPTER SHABBATON Over 30 Junior NCSYers attended the Shabbaton which included minute-to-win-it games, great food, friendly competitions and lots of fun. The weekend was capped by a great event at Zap Zone playing Lazer Tag and video games! It built some great momentum with the Detroit Jnr NCSYers for the Regional Jr. Shabbaton that took place in late February.
Pittsburgh, PA Rabbi Chaim Strassman - strassmanc@ncsy.org
Pittsburgh NCSY got creative in the Succah this year spending extra time there making sock monkeys! These crafts are being saved for Purim where they’ll be given out as part of NCSY bringing Purim cheer to area hospitals and Senior Centers.
GREATER ATLANTA Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, Regional Director 404.486.8787 // info@ncsyatlanta.com atlanta.ncsy.org
Atlanta, GA 400 TEENS AT CONVENTION
Over 400 teens gathered together for an unbelievable Convention in Marietta, GA. During Havdalah, teens were inspired listening to the powerful words of Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, and enjoyed a concert from the musical sensation, Tzidkiyahu.
MIDWEST Rabbi Donny Schwartz, Regional Director 847.677.6279 // midwest@ncsy.org midwest.ncsy.org
4G, Illinois
Mrs. Avigayil Strulowitz - strulowitza@ncsy.org
GIRLS 4G SHABBATON Over 100 frum NCSY 4G girls plus their advisors and staff gathered together at Midwest NCSY’s 5th annual 4G Shabbaton in early February in Northbrook, IL. Girls from Chicago were joined by girls from Phoenix, AZ, South Bend, IN, Minneapolis, MN, and Baltimore, MD! Guest speaker Ms. Chevi Garfinkel encouraged the girls to “Snap Into It!” and invest in a more meaningful life of Torah and mitzvos.
MOMS GAIN INSPIRATION, TOO AT SPECIAL 4G MOTHERS SHIUR Over 60 women had the opportunity to be inspired by Ms. Chevi Garinkel, guest speaker for the annual Midwest 4G Shabbaton. While the shabbaton participants went to their snow-tubing activity, their mothers and women of the community were presented a shiur by Ms. Garfinkel, entitled “The Present of Presence,” which focused on appreciating their own unique stations in life and serving Hashem to the best of their ability.
Chicago, IL Mrs. Brittney Worch - worchb@ncsy.org
CHICAGOLAND NCSY EXPANDS TO NEW AND OLDER TERRITORIES Chicagoland NCSY has been running our weekly dinner n’ learn wtih guest speakers and amazing food. We have had multiple shabbos oneg’s with singing, divrei torah and ruach. Chicagoland NCSY/ JSU has rejuvenated clubs at both Wolcott School and Niles West. At Niles West we joined clubs with the Middle Eastern club to reinforce achdus. We look forward to the events that we have planned for the remainder of the year. We also began a new club in Lakeview!
Kansas City, KS Rabbi Nati Stern — nstern@ncsy.org
Memphis, TN Jamie Gibber — gibberj@ncsy.org
MEMPHIS CHAPTER HOSTS CONCERT OF THE YEAR!
THE
In October 2018, Memphis NCSY hosted a communitywide concert featuring Eitan Katz as its first formal fundraising efforts. The entire community was invited and enjoyed the concert and over 100 local families contributed to further our phenomenal NCSY and JSU programming.
JSU CLUBS GROWING Over the past two years, Memphis NCSY has worked on expanding their JSU programming. Starting in one local high school in 2017, over the course of 2018-2019 we’ve expanded into two other schools. JSU Clubs are currently operating in White Station, Germantown, and Christian Brother’s High School.
JSU SHABBAT SHABANGS EXPAND As we expanded our clubs, we’ve also expanded our programs for our JSU students to include weekend events, Shabbat Shabangs. We’ve hosted Shabbos meals an done various social activities on Saturday nights and have received really positive feedback from
our students and parents - doubling our attendance lit the Menorah, sang songs, played games, etc. It was atRECORD our second event of the year. WeAT lookMIDWEST forward to great to see. The 4G people at Tanglewood enjoyed their NUMBERS NCSY’S SHABBATON continued success in this program! time with the kids. The kids themselves brought an exuberant energy which permeated the whole room. What was amazing about this event is that were three generations sharing in the Chanukah celebration. In St. Louis, MO the room there were grandparents, parents, and kids. Rabbi Mike Rovinsky - rovinskym@ncsy.org In the room there were over 30 people from ages 7-96. Sam Zitin - samz@ncsy.org They all participated in one room in a Mitzvah that been passed down from generation to generation, in Minneapolis, MN Tanglewood were three generations spanning nearly Rabbi Tzvi Kupfer - kupfert@ncsy.org 100 years in one room. To me the biggest significance Mindy Daitchman - daitchmanm@ncsy.org was the elderly watching the 20 youths that participated with the lighting of the Menorah, singing MINNEAPOLIS JSU/NCSY LAUNCHES Chanukah songs, and reading the story of Chanukah. It symbolized that these kids will be ready to be the next ISRAEL SCHOLARS PROGRAM Upon receiving a generous grant from the Louis to pass on the torch of the Jewish traditions from their Herman Foundation, the new 10 week program was generation to the future generations. launched helping to educate teens about issues relating to the Israeli conflict and giving them the tools to be advocates for Israel on their college campuses. NEW ENGLAND Teens receive complimentary dinner, and enjoy interactive multimedia presentations and discussions Devora Weinstock, Regional Director relating to the topic. Several teens have registered 646.459.5175// newengland@ncsy.com for NCSY summer programs so that they can view the newengland.ncsy.org Israeli landscape in person.
MINNEAPOLIS JSU/NCSY STARTS DNL PROGRAM
The new program sponsored by the George Kaplan Foundation allows teens who are unable to attend the larger Dinner N Learning programs the opportunity to come out as a smaller group to study with the City Directors. The programs works around the teens schedules, and offers more flexibility as the target audience is smaller. Topics are personalized to the teens preferences.
North Shore, IL Rabbi Yaakov Cohen - coheny@ncsy.org
NORTH SHORE CHAPTER CONTINUES TO EXPAND
North Shore chapter gears up for 10 day Israel exchange trip with Niles North High School!
Boston, MA Rabbi Yudi Riesel - yudi@ncsy.org
JSU LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IN NYC!
A cohort of public school students who are active members of their school’s JSU club were selected to head to the Big Apple where they participated in an unforgettable leadership training Shabbaton. The group enjoyed delicious food at Kosher restaurants, and touring some of NYC’s tourist and Jewish spots. The teens were fascinated to experience the hustle and bustle of Erev Shabbat in Boro Park! Shabbat itself was spent along with Rabbi Simon Taylor and a group of New York public school JSU students. Teens participated in public speaking training workshops and heard from several successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who are active members of the Five Towns Jewish community.
Providence, RI
Things have been busy in the North Shore. Teens have been enjoying Ice cream and a lively discussion of Jewish topics at our weekly Iced Latte N Learning at Graeter’s Ice Cream. We have had three Israel Culture Days at different public schools in the area complete with Falafel, a Bedouin Tent with tea, and much more. JSU clubs have been going strong across the northern suburbs including activities like baking challah and making fruit smoothies for Tu B’Shvat! Can’t forget about our monthly Shabbat Shabangs in different communities around the North Shore!
Shira Krinsky – krinskys@ncsy.org
As part of one of our clubs, we took over 20 students from Niles North High School to Israel for a 10 day high school exchange trip! We got to spend Shabbos in Yerushalayim and toured all around the country! It was so amazing that other schools in the area are already reaching out to set up similar programs for their schools!
Stamford, CT
South Bend, IN Akiva Gutnicki - akivagutnicki@gmail.com
SOUTH BEND JR NCSY CELEBRATES CHANUKAH AT TANGLEWOOD ASSISTED LIVING On December 2nd, 2108 South Bend Jr NCSY went to visit some of the elderly at Tanglewood Assisting Living to celebrate Chanukah. The residents that came,
PURIM THEMED CHAPTER SHABBATON
Providence NCSY had an incredible chapter shabbaton in March, which included visiting NCSYers from CT, Boston, and Upstate. The weekend included a great dinner and oneg, time to hang out with friends and advisors, as well as learning sessions to help get the NCSYers ready for Purim. On Saturday night everyone got together for a bonfire, with singing, s’mores and chapter bonding time.
Yaakov Faratci - yaakovfaratci@ncsy.org
CHAI MITZVAH LAUNCHES IN STAMFORD Stamford NCSY had its first ever Chai Mitzvah learning program. Stamford teens attending NCSY summer programs has doubled this year, and the teens wanted to make sure that they were prepared for a summer of growth and inspiration by learning throughout the year. With tremendous anticipation and active participation, the teens will not only take part in the most stimulating learning program Stamford NCSY has had in its history but also develop a consistent and elevating excitement in order to not only be participants on their programs, but also be confident learned leaders.
West Hartford, CT Devorah Lustig – lustigd@ncsy.org
SPRING 2019
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Moshe Waren – warenm@dojsu.org
JSU REACHES WEST HARTFORD
JSU at Hall High School in West Hartford is having an outstanding year with many new freshmen becoming involved. Earlier this year students had a special guest, celebrity chef Yahav Kriti from Israel. Students had a great time cooking Israeli food, and discussing Israeli culture. The students were very engaged with the chef’s charismatic personality and enjoyed eating the delicious food they had prepared.
NEW JERSEY Rabbi Ethan Katz, Regional Director 201.862.0250 // office@njncsy.com newjersey.ncsy.org
Bergen County 4G, NJ Bracha Kahane - kahaneb@ncsy.org
4G SHABBATON WITH RUCHIE FREIER NJ NCSY, in conjunction with NY NCSY, ran the first East Coast 4G Shabbaton. Located in Teaneck, NJ, girls from across NJ and NY spent Shabbat in the Teaneck community. The Shabbaton featured Judge Ruchie Freier who ate meals with the girls and gave a talk on her journey from Boro Park to becoming a judge. On Motzei Shabbat, NJ NCSY hosted an Eitan Katz kumzits both for the 4G Shabbaton participants and also for all women of the community. It was a very uplifting and beautiful Shabbaton!
East Brunswick, NJ Aaron Breslin - breslina@ncsy.org
EAST BRUNSWICK FNL January 11-12, 33 Teens came for a FNL in East Brunswick to have an inspirational Shabbat. The Shabbat experience began with a delicious Friday night dinner that was followed with an Oneg which was full of awesome and engaging games, followed by Seudat Shlishit and ebbing the next day!
Highland Park, NJ Rabbi Shmulie Greene – greenes@ncsy.org
HIGHLAND PARK/EDISON FNL AND ESCAPE THE ROOM The Highland Park/Edison NCSY chapter celebrated Shabbat Parshat Vayechi, December 21-22, with a Friday Night Lights Shabbaton that included a Friday night dinner at the Eitz Chaim synagogue, third meal and Havdallah at one of the NCSYers house and capped off with an Escape the Room activity. What a Shabbat of learning, fun, food and friends!
L.E.A.D., NJ
Metro West, NJ Jennifer Romanoff –romanoffj@ncsy.org
JSU GETS A VISIT FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Edward Meinhardt visited the Livingston High School Jewish Israeli club. He spoke to them about his personal Jewish history in the Metro West area and how it has evolved into a much bigger Jewish community since he was in high school. Teens also got the chance to to ask questions like how it is to be Jewish and be in a political position.
CHANUKAH PARTY Metro West NCSY hosted a Chanukah party at Etz Chaim Synagogue. The teens (mostly from public schools) got to play human dreidel, eat emoji latkes, and decorate their own dreidels.
METRO WEST PUERTO RICO CHESSED MISSION 12 public school teens from the Metro West area travelled to Puerto Rico with NCSY on an incredible Chessed Mission. They spent 5 days helping rebuild people’s homes and learning more about the community in San Juan.
Teaneck, NJ Yael & Isaac Bernstein – bernsteini@ncsy.org
TEANECK & NJ YACHAD CUPCAKE WARS Teaneck held its first ever joint Yachad / Teaneck NCSY cupcake wars! At this event the Yachad members and NCSY-ers were able to get to know each other and have a great night together decorating cupcakes. Another event with Yached is being planned where they will be able to continue the friendships made on that night.
NURSING HOME SHABBATON This shabbaton takes place at the Rockleigh Jewish Home, where 20 teens spend Shabbos sleeping in the nursing home and bringing the beauty of Shabbos to the residents of the home. The teens are able to make a minyan, learn and be inspired from the stories of the elders, and have an amazing time together!
West Orange, NJ Alex Herman –hermana@ncsy.org
LATTE AND LEARNING REVITALIZED West Orange began a new Latte & Learning program where they turned a supermarket into their own cafe and learning center! The group had sushi and pastries while discussing the Torah’s perspective on happiness with different perspectives and commentaries on joy, as they entered the month of Adar, a month of happiness and good fortune.
Rivka & Yehoshua Szafranski - shoof@ncsy.org
L.E.A.D. PUBLIC SPEAKING SEMINAR In January, NJ NCSY’s 11th grade L.E.A.D. students had the privilege of attending an interactive workshop to improve their public speaking skills. The workshop was led by NCSY’s education director, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, and covered various topics such as confidence, composure, hand gestures, and content. The teens are enthusiastic about putting their new skills to the test in upcoming presentations.
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NEW YORK Rina Emerson, CEO emersonr@ncsy.org // nyinfo@ncsy.org newyork.ncsy.org
Brooklyn, NY Nechama Kamelhar - kamelharn@ncsy.org Rabbi Moish Zucker - zuckerm@ncsy.org
BROOKLYN NCSY COMPLETES 4TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Public school teens met weekly and had the chance to learn from CEOs, doctors, lawyers and businessmen, who offered career advice and insights into balancing professional and religious life. Each week, the teens arrived to dinner and a learning program focused on different Jewish topics and areas of personal development, followed by a panel of three community professionals.
CHANUKAH AT MANHATTAN BEACH
More than 80 teens from all of Brooklyn’s JSU Clubs came to Manhattan Beach to celebrate Chanukah with their friends and meet teens from schools all over Brooklyn. The Chanukah party was complete with dinner, donuts and an interactive hypnotist show. About 10 teens volunteered to be hypnotized, and the rest laughed along as they watched their friends make animal noises and act out various roles.
Great Neck, NY Jon Zar - zarj@ncsy.org Dani Sudwerts - sudwertsd@ncsy.org
GREAT NECK SHABBAT PROGRAM
A special Shabbat program was held for girls in Great Neck with approximately 50 girls (90% Public School) in attendance. An informative panel discussion with four influential leaders of the community; Rabbanit Amit Yaghoubi (Torah Anytime), Maya Namdar (owner of Maya’s Place, a Tznius clothing store), Naz Aziz (iMove with Naz,Party Warmer) and Tamar Betzalely (a well known mother who advocates fearlessly on the behalf of her daughter with severe medical needs), all donated their time to inspire the teens. The questions were inquisitive and the laughter was explosive. The girls then enjoyed a scrumptious Shalosh Seudos which was graciously sponsored by the Livian family, which wouldn’t be complete without inspirational singing. Charlene Aminoff (CEO and founder of Gali’s Couture Wigs) also donated her time and spoke poignantly, not leaving a dry eye. A musical havdalah was held with dancing way into the night, leaving everyone on a spiritual high. NCSY extends a very big thank you to all of the special women who donated their expertise and time this Shabbos.
The Five Towns, NY Yossi Schwartz- schwartzyj@ncsy.org
CHANUKAH WITH THE KIRUV CLUB
During Chanukah we had an amazing collaboration with our DRS Kiruv club who joined the Roslyn JSU club for a special Chanukah program. The challenge was to decorate a jelly donut with toppings that reflected a dvar torah that each group prepared. Both the DRS boys and Roslyn teens had an amazing time and really enjoyed meeting each other and socializing.
WAKE UP TO THE NEW REALITY
On Sunday, February 10th, more than 200 families from all around Long Island came together at the Merrick Jewish Center to hear from current college students about combatting anti-semitism on campus. The event, called “Wake Up to the New Reality,” was a joint effort between SPACA (Students & Parents Against Campus Anti-Semitism), NCSY and the Merrick Jewish Center. Two of the student speakers who attend Columbia University spoke to the idea of being armed with information, being knowledgeable about the history of Israel as well as the state of current affairs and being confident, backed with that knowledge, to advocate. It’s safe to say that a main message that everyone was able to take away was that teens having pride in their Judaism is a huge asset when it comes to being on the offense in the fight against anti-semitism and in favor
JULY 1 - JULY 31, 2019 10TH-12TH GRADE Join Jewish high school students and pursue a summer internship in Israel, providing you with a solid framework to work on career goals while exploring your shared heritage in the land of Israel! Build college resume with an intensive internship Network and hear from professionals across various industries Travel throughout Israel on the weekends with like minded teens
For more information, contact Avi Sebbag at sebbaga@ncsy.org or visit
nextstepisrael.com
SPRING 2019
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of tolerance and understanding.
Long Beach, NY Oran Bendelstein - oran.b@ncsy.org
MLK RESURF DAY OF SERVICE
On January 21st, NY NCSY ReSurf club joined together with the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center as a part of the UJA Federation’s MLK Day of Service. NCSY ReSurf announced the inauguration of the first ever MLK Surf Team, through which participants from the Long Beach MLK Center will learn to swim, skate, experience film making firsthand, and of course, learn how to surf. Throughout the day of service, families gathered together to paint, build relationships, and appreciate the legacy of Martin Luther King. This day of service not only served and strengthened our Jewish community as we joined together in chesed, but also empowered an inclusive, diverse, community and partnership that will continue far beyond the day of service itself. The now-established club will continue to emphasize bringing together people from many different backgrounds to learn together and work together towards common goals.
Manhattan, NY Ziona Isaacs - IsaacsZ@ncsy.org
UPPER EAST SIDE NCSY IN ACTION
This winter we hosted two enjoyable and inspiring Shabbatons with Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. Teens and preteens from the Upper East Side joined together with NCSY advisors and staff for lively Friday night onegs, and Shabbat morning teen minyan and kiddush filled with learning, chilling, and fun. We had a wonderful time with the community and are looking forward to the next one!
NY NCSY GIVES BACK TO THE NEEDY
NY NCSY and Ramaz Upper School paired up for a Midnight Run to help those currently homeless on the streets of NYC. Students prepared, packaged, and delivered food and clothing for those in need. The event was a lot of fun and most importantly the students left the night feeling empowered to continue to positively impact the lives of others around them through chesed!
Plainview, NY Devora Jaye - jayed@ncsy.org
PLAINVIEW NCSY GIVES BACK
On December 25, Jewish teens from Plainview gathered to deliver donuts and smiles of appreciation to doctors, nurses, and staff at Plainview Hospital and then to volunteer firefighters at the Plainview Fire Department. For those working on Christmas Day, it was a small gesture that was appreciated and welcomed by all.
SOUTHERN Todd Cohn, Executive Director 1-866-887-5788 // southern@ncsy.org southern.ncsy.org
Coral Springs, FL Shmuel Barak - baraks@ncsy.org
Boca and Coral Springs chapters joined together for a meaningful latte and learn hosted at the Coral Springs Chapter’s President’s home. The local teens banded together figuratively, spiritually, and literally with all types of instruments where a kumzitz was enjoyed 48
around a bright light sourcing from an inspiring bonfire. Roasted Marshmallows, s’mores, hotogs and soft drink were served. A heartfelt Dvar Torah was given by our district board vice president where words from the heart entered our Hearst. The latte’s learning was dedicated to the refuah shelaima of the District Vp’s close family friend, who unfortunately has been fighting stage four cancer for some time. Each and every teen was asked to commit to one mitzvah they can take on for the refuah shelaima of Shalom Eliyezer Ben Shayna Leah. May he be well and merit a recovery speedily in our days.
EMTZA NCSY Jason Segelbaum- segelbaumj@ncsy.org
EMTZA NCSY JOINS WITH TEMPLE MENORAH FOR INAUGURAL YEAR OF JCON When Emtza NCSY was approached by Temple Menorah to take part in a bi-monthly chaburah style learning there was only one obvious answer, YES!!! Twice each month Emtza brings NCSY advisors to Temple Menorah in Miami Beach to learn with over 20 teens. Emtza can’t wait to see what the future holds for this incredible program.
EMTZA NCSY HITS ANOTHER HOME RUN WITH ITS WINTER REGIONAL AT BOCA RATON SYNAGOGUE In December over 100 participants came together for what was one of our best Emtza Shabbaton’s ever. Not only did we embark on some incredible programming but our high school advisors demonstrated what it means to be a part of Emtza Shabbaton.
Greater Miami, FL Rachel Brecher - brecherr@ncsy.org
GREATER MIAMI IS GREAT AGAIN!
Since the beginning of the year our Latte and Learn numbers have grown, we can barely fit at Menchie’s Frozen yogurt! In addition we now have Learn and Earn immediately right after latte so that teens can stay and learn with their favorite advisors along with earning scholarship money towards NCSY programs. Greater Miami has also been successfully running G.L.A.M which is an all girls learning program, just this past month we ran our first ever Challah Bake where the girls learned the importance of making Challah and also how much fun it can be! Going into this next month Greater Miami has got a lot in store for the chapter, starting with our Greater Miami Chapter Shabbaton which will feature over 50 local teens! In addition our Chapter Board has taken a big brother big sister initiative and are training potential future board members in how to be leaders in JSU, NCSY and the community.
Jacksonville, FL AY Cohen - aycohen@ncsy.org
Orlando, FL Daniel Nabatian - daniel@ncsy.org
Orlando JSU has broadened its reach this year by expanding its programming to middle school, and mother daughter events. The first of several events in the series was called Dessert Dash. Mothers and Daughters competed in a fast paced dessert baking competition. Mother daughter programing is a unique way of fostering great relationships within the family, and helping the broader community experience all that
JSU has to offer.
Palm Beach, FL Daniel Nabatian - daniel@ncsy.org
FIRST ANNUAL PALM BEACH ISLAND “VISIONARIES EVENT” On February 7, 2019, more than 40 community leaders and philanthropists convened on Palm Beach Island for an inspirational evening at Palm Beach’s New Synagogue. Acclaimed philanthropists Danny Abraham and Richard Hirsch hosted the event at which teens discussed their experiences on TJJ during the summer of 2018. The teens had the opportunity to engage with those in attendance during the program and at the reception sponsored by Richard Hirsch. Attendees came from a variety of towns throughout Palm Beach County including Boynton Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Island, and Palm Beach Gardens. In the future we plan to grow this event to introduce other major philanthropists to Southern NCSY.
Savannah, GA Rabbi Eli Lob - lobe@ncsy.org
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS
Savannah NCSY has been putting a focus on collaboration and partnering with local organizations as a way to engage and impact more teens and youth than ever before. NCSY partnered with BBYO on 3 separate occasions including running a joint Superbowl Party and Havdalah Ceremony. NCSY ran a sushi night with the SCAD Hillel as a way of reaching College students of Savannah College of Art and Design and Georgia Southern University. NCSY also ran Treats 4 Troops together with Coastal Judaic Study Group, a local Sunday School. This partnership enabled NCSY youth and families to meet many other local Jewish families.
SOUTHWEST Rabbi Gershon Meisel, Regional Director 972.934.9143 // ncsysw@ncsy.org southwest.ncsy.org
Dallas, TX Rabbi Michel Lomner - michellomner@ncsy.org
Denver, CO Yisrael Katz - ykatz@ncsy.org
DENVER NCSY OPENS ITS FIRST EMTZA NCSY BRANCH
Denver NCSY and AISH Denver have partnered to bring much-needed programming to their middle school student body. Happening on the Southeast side of Denver, NCSY has added additional programming such as a weekly Latte N’ Learning and monthly social events. Going into next year, Denver NCSY and AISH Denver plan to grow their partnership even more by adding more programming, including family Shabbatot.
Houston, TX Rabbi Samy Soussan - soussans@ncsy.org
San Antonio, TX Asher Gluck - agluck87@gmail.com
UPSTATE NEW YORK Devora Weinstock, Regional Coordinator 646.459.5175 // weinstockd@ncsy.org upstate.ncsy.org
SENIORS EXPERIENCE CAMPUS LIFE AT ANNUAL YU SHABBAT
birthday parties for children living on the streets.
Los Angeles, CA - Valley Shane Dreher - drehers@ncsy.org
and Oneg to give the best Jewish experience. Our goal is to continue down this path for the rest of the year so kids can have this concept truly in their hearts.
Arizona
Chelsea Rosenberg - rosenbergc@ncsy.org
THE Q - VALLEY EDITION
ARIZONA TAKES PART IN 4G SHABBATON
NCSY advisors and staff hosted seniors from around the region for a shabbaton in Washington Heights on Shabbat Chanukah. The Shabbaton including learning and bonding time for the NCSYers and opportunities for meaningful conversations about their future plans. The weekend wrapped up with a great kumzitz in the Yeshiva University Heights Lounge.
On November 3rd, West Coast NCSY’s Valley Chapter hosted the 2nd annual “The Q” Valley Edition, the best multimedia trivia competition at EM Habanim Sephardic Congregation. “The Q” is the premier event for the Valley Chapter with over 90 community members attending it was a great competitive fun night had by all. Drinks, great Kosher food and competition created an amazing night. All proceeds will go towards supporting the work of NCSY throughout the valley.
Albany, NY
NorCal, CA
Shira Krinsky - krinskys@ncsy.org
Rabbi Akiva Naiman - naimana@ncsy.org
PORTLAND NCSY HOSTS THE Q
MAGICAL FEBRUARY CHAPTER SHABBAT
San Diego, CA
The Q, now in its 11th year, was another incredible success. Over 300 people gathered to support the work NCSY does in Oregon, with its Jr NCSY, NCSY and Akiva on Campus college program at University of Oregon, raising over $170,000 for Jewish programming and scholarships!
NCSY joined with the Albany Jewish community for an exciting Shabbat, featuring a performance by Orthodox Jewish magician Ben Cohen. The rest of Shabbat featured great food, learning groups about magic in Judaism, and lots of time to connect with advisors and friends. The shabbaton ended with a Saturday night Cake Wars, where teams had to combine a Jewish and more general theme in their cake decoration.
Rochester, NY Sarah Gold - sarah.gold55@gmail.com
CHAPTER SHABBATONS BRING TEENS TOGETHER Rochester’s monthly Chapter Shabbatons featuring onegs, Shabbat Lunch & Learn, and exciting Motzei Shabbat activities have been bringing an amazing Shabbat teen atmosphere to the community. In February teens learned about Purim and adsf through innovative something and something. Saturday night the Kilimnicks hosted a delicious make your own pizza night where teens and advisors got to bond and enjoy melavah malkah together.
WEST COAST Rabbi Derek Gormin, Regional Director 310.229.9000 // westcoastncsy@ncsy.org westcoast.ncsy.org
Los Angeles, CA - City westcoastncsy@ncsy.org
NCSY CHESED IN LOS ANGELES
This is a super exciting NCSY Chesed year in Los Angeles! We are overseeing and facilitating the programming in both Shalhevet High School and YULA Girls High School, including running their Chesed trips. Straight after the chaggim, we ran our schools Chesed Fairs. Many Jewish organizations came to showcase to the students the chesed opportunities that exist within their specific organizations. The organizations include Tomchei, Yesh Tikvah, Friendship Circle, Chai Life Line, Yachad and more. YULA Girls had a Chanukah Chesed Palooza where each grade volunteered at a different organization and had an assembly to reflect on their experience. YULA Girls also hosted a Blood Drive for Bikur Cholim. Shalhevet had an unforgettable 10th grade chesed trip in Las Vegas climaxing in a very inspiring shabbat. Shalhevet will be running a birthday party at Worthy of Love, an organization who make
Rabbi Jacob Rupp - rabbirupp@ncsy.org
San Diego sent five leaders to National YK where they had an amazing time. We are having an upcoming community night where we are bringing out parents to meet me and Rabbi Gormin, a summer trips night, a local shabbaton, and sending kids to other local shabbatons to keep the momentum going!
San Fransico, CA SF/Marin NCSY and East Bay NCSY partnered for an “All out NCSY weekend!” A full blown Shabbaton in SF, the first since 2013, with 18 NCSYers. Meanwhile, the first ever Walnut Creek Shabbaton happened, with 25 teens in attendance! Additionally, Friday night was a JSU Friday night dinner in Oakland. All of this led to a rocking Limo scavenger hunt for middle schoolers Sat night, as well as our first Bat Mitzvah club on Sunday for girl’s grades 6 and 7!
West Coast 4G had an extremely successful Shabbaton in the LA area. Where girls got to enjoy some of the best tourist spots in LA, delicious food and hear from inspirational women in the LA Jewish Community.
Portland, OR Meira Spivak - meira@ncsy.org Doovie Jacoby - doovie@ncsy.org
Orange County, CA Carol Mirkin - Mirkinc@ncsy.org
OC Shabbaton was a blast!! We enjoyed a chesedthemed shabbaton where we learned about the importance Judaism places on acts of loving-kindness, and how we can get involved and give back to our communities. We enjoyed delicious food, awesome divrei torah from our local NCSYers, and a fantastic trip to Glow-Zone on Saturday night!
CHILE
Devora Simon, devora@ncsy.org
Michael Bengio, Regional Director 011.56.99.186.5575 // ncsychile@ncsy.org chile.ncsy.org
MISHLOACH MANOT FOR SOLDIERS
Santiago, Chile
Silicon Valley, CA
Silicon Valley teens at JSU packaged over 100 Mishloach Manot for Jewish soldiers overseas!
Las Vegas, NV Rabbi Yehuda Maryles - marylesy@ncsy.org
Las Vegas NCSY is coming up with new and innovative ways of reaching teens from all different walks of life. Thank G-d the new Torah High learning program and “Dinner and Learning” program have grown exponentially from just a couple of teens to over thirty teens! From catering to kids in the local Jewish high school all the way to public school kids, Las Vegas NCSY is engaging teens in Torah and Jewish philosophy in an entertaining and exciting way! Onwards and upwards!
Seattle, WA SEATTLE NCSY GROWING STRONG
From the beginning of the school year until now in Seattle NCSY a lot has happened. We’ve opened new JSU clubs. We’ve had tons of FNL and events and through it allot of progressive reach has been accomplished BH! Our goal here in Seattle besides having JSU clubs and LNL is to have minimum of 2 FNL a month, 1 for a JSU club only and the 2nd for a JSU club and the private school. The common theme we have is kodesh ve chol. To teach that just because we’re religious that we can’t have fun. Which is why every Saturday night social event is after a Shabbat dinner
Alan Geni - alangeni@gmail.com
CROWD FUNDING FOR CHILE NCSY Chile underwent a crowd funding campaign, looking for new partners that can support the various programs that are going on in Chile. We were looking to reach as many people as possible, that could become “NCSY Chile Partners” supporting us with a lower fee, but a monthly fee. It was a new idea, but a very successful one: more than one hundred people became partners of NCSY Chile starting from 25 USD a month. Some people even got together with friends to reach the minimum of 25 USD a month.
ISRAEL Rabbi Yosef Ginsberg 054-9538225 // ginsbergy@ncsy.org Rabbi Michael Kahn 052-5085091 // kahnm@ncsy.org israel.ncsy.org
NES HARIM SHABBATON We hosted our largest Shabbaton in our program’s history in Nes Harim. 140 NCSYers, Advisors, and guest came together for our Winter Getaway Shabbaton. The Shabbaton program included a Friday bowling bash in Beit Shemesh, live band pre and post Shabbat, and special guest Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director of OU Israel joined us with his family. SPRING 2019
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BY RABBI MOSHE BENOVITZ One story, three perspectives. life.
One story, out of nearly 80 years of
The obvious hero of our exodus narrative, Moshe, develops in relative anonymity. For close to two thirds of his life he lives in obscurity, even while raised in the luxuries of the Egyptian palace. We know of his unlikely salvation as a baby in the Nile, his courtship of Yisro’s daughter in exile, and the curious incident of visions in the burning bush. These hardly provide insight into the character of the ultimate leader and teacher, nor do they illuminate the events that led Moshe to the greatness that defined the final 41 years of his life. But there is one story. Prince Moshe grows up (Exodus 2:11) and witnesses an attack on a poor Jew. Moshe dutifully responds to the call of justice; he protects the Jew and strikes down the offending Egyptian. However, he first surveys the landscape and makes sure that the context and setting is all right for such a bold and dangerous act. “He turned this way and that and saw that there was no man, so he struck down the Egyptian.” In the most simple explanation, his vigilantism is dangerous and must remain undetected by the authorities. In fact, Moshe soon discovers that he was not as stealthy as he had hoped and scrambles for his life. One of the most oft quoted pieces of biblical exegesis offers a second, more elaborate reading. “No man” does not only refer to incriminating witnesses or vengeful comrades. It is a description of our hero’s own existential crisis and confusion. In identifying with the palace and the slave, with the oppressor and oppressed, Moshe struggles to find his own place. The decisive act is required not only to defend the life and 50
honor of the helpless Jewish nation, but to define its leader and savior. As such, the vanquished “Egyptian” has a dual implication. The individual who falls and is buried in the sand is surely the one who torments the Jew. But in putting him in his deserved place, Moshe also eliminates his own inclinations towards the pagan and cruel, and buries that too, far underground. Should we stop here? Look no further at this critical moment in Moshe’s life? If we do, we must acknowledge one nagging difficulty. If this act of retribution truly represents Moshe’s ascendency as a leader and his greatness, what takes so long for him to get there? Thus far, each suggested interpretation argues for this moment to be pivotal and climactic. Moshe begins his day as a naïve and spoiled aristocrat and ends it with bloody hands and a healthy resolve. Transformation complete, we would expect him to be fully prepared to lead the opposition and to confront all enemies. Instead, he cowers and runs. Perhaps even worse, he delays, with no perceivable end in sight, any movement to leadership or salvation. Why? Is the pivot and climax less than what it might seem? A third and final perspective on the story might well drive towards such a conclusion. Moshe looks here and there and sees no man. Who is this invisible man? Who does he hope to see? Some commentators speculate that it is not the Egyptian mob that he fears, nor a patriot looking back at him through a mirror that he seeks. It is a fellow Jew, and a nation prepared to be led and redeemed. Moshe may full well believe in the external threat and also in his own powers to repel it. But these confidences do not a leader make. Moshe most surely trusted the Divine plan and faithfully served God above. But what of trust in man? What faith was left for the Jewish nation?
And so, of course, at this juncture Moshe has no choice but to flee, and wait. This incident does not prove his readiness to lead, it reveals the necessary steps that remain before Moshe the Egyptian noble can become Moshe our teacher. It often seems that there is a neverending search for the secret ingredients in a successful educational enterprise or community building strategy. But the list is not necessarily that long or challenging to identify. A program or a classroom or a Shabbaton or prayer initiative or social action intervention or learning campaign or basketball season will be successful when we can look around and see someone. When we see a partner and not a failure, potential and not despair, pride and not embarrassment, bright future and not inability to measure up to the past, then we can lead and accomplish. For many a would be leader, the Achilles heel is not lack of selfconfidence or self-importance, and it is not lack of belief in the purity of the mission of rightness in its foundations or goals. The downfall is precipitated by a failure in faith in the people and nation. There is a self-fulfilling prophecy for the leader who sees no man and assumes the burden and responsibility himself. If I believe my child to be no good, that is likely all I will ever see (from him, and in him). If I can identify only corruption and decay in a community or process, I will rarely be rewarded with the surprise of exceeded expectations. But when the leader believes in the led, redemption awaits.
Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, an NCSY alumnus, is the managing director of NCSY and the director of NCSY Kollel. He can be reached at benovitzm@ncsy.org.
SPRING 2019
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ISRAEL ID
GIVE WEST
THE ANNE SAMSON
TJJ
HATZALAH RESCUE
THE ANNE SAMSON
AMBASSADORS
JOLT
EURO ICE
BILT
CAMP MAOR
MICHLELET
NEXT STEP
JOLT ISRAEL
CAMP SPORTS
ReSURF
GIVE EAST
RTC
4G EURO
GIVE
KOLLEL
THE ANNE SAMSON
TJJ AP
TJJ
WHICH WILL YOU
BE WEARING THIS SUMMER? Find the right fit for you at summer.ncsy.org
NCSY is the international youth movement of the OU.