ATLANTIC SEABOARD E D I T I O N
THE NCSY NEWSLETTER
CHANUKAH 2012 www.atsncsy.org
40
teens spent their summer on NCSY’s Summer Program TJJ.
Senator Ben Cardin addresses program participants as they prepare to lobby in Washington, DC.
Senator Ben Cardin Jewish Scholars Program Celebrates Four Years The Senator Ben Cardin Jewish Scholars Program celebrated its fourth year providing leadership training to local public school teens who are passionate about combining community service with Jewish values. The 12-session program brings influential leaders in the fields of law, finance, government and the non-profit sector to speak to tomorrow’s leaders about their personal experiences in work and religious growth.
The program also encourages advocacy with participants visiting elected officials, both locally and in Washington, DC. Last year, more than 75 teens from Baltimore and the Greater Washington area participated in the largest OU teen lobbying mission to Congress. Many former program participants have taken on major leadership roles in their local Jewish Continued on next page...
250+
teens attend weekly Latte & Learning
400+
public school teens attend one of our 17 Jewish culture clubs each week
1800
teens attended more than 80 local programs between September and October
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Louis and Manette Mayberg How did you get involved in NCSY? When our son was in high school he got to know the local NCSY rabbi and began participating in Shabbatons and the weekly Latte & Learning. His participation evolved into a leadership role on regional board. We followed his interest and thus got to know NCSY and identified with its mission of connecting and inspiring Jewish high school students. What most impresses you about NCSY? We are most impressed by NCSY’s determination to Photo credit: Ron Sachs/CNP
Continued on next page...
months s only been a few Even though it ha at re he n, ga ar be since the school ye SY we have already NC rd oa ab Se tic lan and At amount of growth us do en em u. seen a tr yo ith to share it w we’re very excited d enjoy! an e sid in k Take a loo Happy and your family a g NCSY wishes you ein se to look forward Chanuka and we ah concer t. uk an Ch r you at ou
- Rabbi Jona h Le rn
er
... Cover story continued Hiking through Israel while studying Torah abroad for the year, Lauren is having a blast thanks to NCSY’s encouragement.
communities such as JSU presidents, NCSY regional and chapter board members and JSU/ NCSY liaisons to the Baltimore Israel Coalition. Cara from Owing Hills High School reflected on her experience in the Senator Ben Cardin Jewish Scholars Program, “Not only did I gain a sense of Jewish pride, but I learnt that we, as Jews, must care about our nation as a whole.” New opportunities will also be available to participating teens. Several participants of the program will represent NCSY at the AIPAC Policy Conference in April 2013 and 10 participants will receive scholarships to spend their summer exploring their Jewish heritage while touring Israel on an NCSY Summer Program. “The future leaders of the Jewish community are coming from this program,” said Senator Ben Cardin at an NCSY event.
Not only did I gain a sense of Jewish pride, but I learned that we, as Jews, must care about our nation as a whole.
LAUREN CHORNOCK I will never forget the day Rabbi Rocky Caine, Assistant Regional Director, changed my life forever. I was sitting at work when I saw Rabbi Rocky’s name pop-up on my caller ID. “You’re going to Israel!” He exclaimed. My journey began in public school when I was recruited for TJJ, NCSY’s public school summer program in Israel, after my first NCSY Shabbaton. TJJ was a life-changing summer for me. I was with teens from all different backgrounds and I finally had people around me that could answer the questions I struggled with about Judaism.
My relationships with my advisors taught me that Judaism, though challenging, is beautiful and exciting. After many more Shabbatons and NCSY programs, I made the major decision to spend a year in Israel studying at a seminary instead of going straight to college. The choice was not easy and neither was funding it. NCSY was with me every step of the way, advocating on my behalf. I spent the year at Michlelet Esther and soaked everything in. I’m now in college and teaching at a nursery school, and most importantly, I’m an NCSY advisor, helping other teens along the same journey I was on not so long ago.
My relationships with my advisors taught me that Judaism, though challenging, is beautiful and exciting.
If you are interested in learning more about the Senator Ben Cardin Jewish Scholars Program or would like to apply, visit atsncsy.org or email Rabbirocky@ncsy.org.
... Donor Spotlight continued reach out to public school teens through Jewish Student Union (JSU) clubs. After we understood how important it is to create a Jewish presence in public high schools, we began to support new JSU clubs in our area. We were shocked that Jewish kids were attracted to clubs of other faiths just to get a pizza lunch. NCSY provides the only Jewish alternative for the public school teens to have an opportunity to congregate with other Jewish teens and develop Jewish pride through education. That’s impressive! What message do you have for those who support NCSY? From the Orthodox teens in day school to the unaffiliated in public school, NCSY inspires and “ignites” the Jewish soul in each one. Supporters of the Atlantic Seaboard Region should be proud of the growth in numbers of participants and the resulting increase in Jewish community engagement and Israel trips.
The Local News You Need to Know
10@10 Teens from all over the region call in on Thursday nights for 10 minutes of Torah at 10 pm with our very own Rabbi D. Those 10 minutes of inspiration are just what is needed at the end of a long week.
BALTIMORE
FILLING A TRUCK FOR THE NEEDY For three nights before Rosh Hashanah, Baltimore NCSYers collected non-perishable food items and filled a 1.5-ton truck for NCSY’s Fill a Truck With Food program. Plans are already in the works to replicate this program around the region in the coming year. Regional Director, Rabbi Jonah Lerner says, “Whether it’s responding to natural disasters, delivering food to the poor or running local toy drives, NCSYers gain valuable lessons in giving back to their local and global communities,” Rabbi Lerner said. All the food collected was donated to the Ahavas Yisrael charity fund.
Teens chilling with their friends after spending an incredible Shabbat together.
STANDING-ROOM ONLY AT LATTE & LEARNING Baltimore NCSY Latte & Learning took over the local Starbucks and filled it to capacity. More than 50 teens gather weekly for a latte and some words of Torah.
GNO: GIRLS NIGHT OUT: GNO is a monthly girls-only learning program that combines text-based learning with activities for the girls of Baltimore NCSY. From manis and pedis to pajama movie night, “chick flick” takes on a whole new meaning! For more information, contact Shira Beleck at belecks@ncsy.org.
CHERRY HILL
45 TEENS TOGETHER FOR SIMCHAT TORAH NCSYers pause for a quick photo as they sort through food that was delivered to families for Rosh Hashanah.
On Simchat Torah, more than 45 teens came to Cherry Hill to dance with the Torah in Congregation Sons of Israel. After dancing the Torah back to the ark, the teens enjoyed meals together that were filled with words of inspiration from fellow NCSYers and the synagogue rabbi, Rabbi Ephraim Epstein. NCSYers learned about the value of looking at everything with a new eye and making commitments to grow.
May 24-27 Dec. 6-9
NCSY Winter Regional Convention Stamford Hilton, CT Visit NYC!
Dec. 25 - 29
Yarchei Kallah Stamford Hilton, CT; Shabbat in Teaneck, NJ This 6-day learning trip is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Open to public school teens from across the country, NCSY offers the perfect balance of Torah learning and down-to-earth fun.
Dec. 30, 7pm
NCSY's 38th Annual Isaac H. Taylor Jewish Music Festival Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, MD Featuring: Baruch Levine, 8th Day and Shloime Gertner
Spring Regional Convention Clarion Hotel, Hagerstown, MD
Shabbat Shabang
Shabbat Shabang is a fun and interactive way to involve both teenagers and community members in Shabbaton programming.
GREATER PHILADELPHIA SHABBAT SHABANG
A new program in Philadelphia is revitalizing Shabbat. Centering in Lower Merion and Cherry Hill, NCSY runs a Shabbat program complete with Friday night meals, onegs, seudat shlishit and exciting Saturday night programs. More than 50 teens attended our last Shabbat Shebang.
GREATER WASHINGTON SUSHI IN THE SUKKAH
Greater Washington NCSY came together in Rockville for Sushi in the Sukkah. Teens learned how to make sushi, saw their friends and hung out with their favorite NCSY advisors — all while spending time in the Sukkah.
50 TEENS COME TOGETHER FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT BBQ NCSY kicked-off the year with more than 50 teens coming together for a Sunday night BBQ. The excitement was electrifying, and the teens had a blast. The BBQ was graciously hosted at the home of Louis and Manette Mayburg.
Latte & Learning GREATER PHILADELPHIA AREA Mondays @ 7:30pm Starbucks in Cherry Hill, NJ
Tuesdays @7:30pm Starbucks in Lower Merion, PA
Wednesdays @ 7:00pm
January 25 – Cherry Hill, NJ March 1 – Lower Merion, PA April 12 – Cherry Hill, NJ May 10 – Lower Merion, PA
Starbucks in Newtown, PA
Weekly Events
Woodholme Starbucks
NCSY 10@10
10 minutes of inspiration at 10 pm every Thursday night with Rabbi D. Dial in: 213-226-0400 Access code: 430387
Thursdays @ 7:30pm
Starbucks in Huntingdon Valley, PA
BALTIMORE Wednesdays @ 7:45 GREATER WASHINGTON Tuesdays @ 7:30pm Starbucks in Rockville, MD
NON PROFIT US POSTAGE
4001 Clarks Lane Baltimore, MD 21215
PAID BALTIMORE, MD PERMIT #1262
Regional Leadership Rabbi Jonah Lerner Regional Director lerner@ncsy.org
Rabbi Yitzchok Dinovitzer Associate Regional Director rabbid@ncsy.org
Rabbi Rocky Caine
Assistant Regional Director rabbirocky@ncsy.org
Dana Sicherman
Director of Institutional Advancement dana@ncsy.org
BEST R E M M U S EVER.
Rabbi Yitz Levi
Greater Philadelphia Coordinator rabbiyitz@ncsy.org
Saadia Simon
Operations Manager saadia@ncsy.org
SA GIVE GIVE U t le le TJJ Mich orts p S p A TJJ Cam el Kollel ICE Isra E IC T o BIL Eur T L JO
Michael J. Elman, M.D.
Chairman, Regional Youth Commission
9 st $2,69 ju r fo l e ra OW! Go to Is ISTER N
Rabbi Chaim Gottesman
Chairman Emeritus, Regional Youth Commission
REG .COM R E M M U NCSYS
Teen Regional Board Jonathan Chansky (Regional President)
SUMMER
Presidential Council: Jonathan Chansky (Greater Washington) Kayla Kaplan (Baltimore) Jack Kwatinetz (Baltimore) Ofir Afenzer (Philadelphia)
River Teles (Baltimore) VP of Communication
Sarah Joseph (Cherry Hill)
DECEMBER 30 2012 7:00 PM T H E LY R I C O P E R A H O U S E
The 38th Annual I S A AC H . TAY L O R J E W I SH M U SI C FE S T I VA L
VP of Education
Renee Wasco (Greater Washington)
Shloime Gertner
VP of Israel Action
Yaacov Adler (Greater Washington) VP of Programming
Joseph Zwillenberg (Philadelphia) VP of Social Action
Baruch Levine
Nathaniel Mayberg (Greater Washington) VP of Summer Programs
Rebecca Hefter (Baltimore) National Board Liaison
www.ncsy.org
NCSY is the international youth movement of the OU.
8th Day
Honoring the Leadership of Rabbi Chaim Gottesman Midor L’dor Award to the Messing Family