Thursday, May 17, 2007
www.negiah.org
NCSY is proud to be the first abstinence website for Jewish teens, filling a necessary void. I am the first to say that our site does not have all the answers (I don’t believe any site could), rather the goal of this site is to use the information and articles as a springboard to learn and discuss and to “know”.
Read the whole storyThursday, May 10, 2007
Kansas City
Since Rachel and Daniel attend Shawnee Mission South (a local public high school) they determined they would augment their Jewish education by studying Tanach in preparation for the annual Chidon HaTanach, International Bible Contest that takes place in Israel. While this initiative alone seems admirable, their dedication is far more impressive once you learn that their studying entailed meeting each morning at 6am to prepare with a teacher in Israel through a webcam.
Read the whole storyThursday, April 26, 2007
An Act of Supreme Sacrifice
Like countless other individuals throughout this country and the world, I was overcome with shock, horror, grief, and disgust when I first learned of the tragic massacre at Virginia Tech. Almost numb with astonishment I quickly searched to find more information.
Read the whole storyWednesday, April 18, 2007
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
The reality is that we expect more from our leaders. Were he not the Governor, the lack of a seat belt would be an offhand comment, not a major point of contention.
We see this in Judaism, too. Moses, the greatest of all prophets, with whom G-d spoke “face to face” was punished for losing his temper. He wasn’t excused because of his greatness, he was held to a higher standard because of it. You or I might get away with screaming at the Jewish people and hitting a rock in anger; Moses couldn’t.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Great Adventure
When someone sees that we are Jewish - whether because of a yarmulke, a Magen David necklace or a family name, they have certain expectations of us. These may not be the expectations we have of ourselves, but that doesn’t make them wrong for others to expect. This is why it’s so important for Jews to always comport themselves in a pleasant and appropriate manner, so that we will glorify the name of Hashem through our deeds.
Read the whole story
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Machon Maayan
Last week I was truly fortunate to travel to Israel to see the fruits of NCSY’s latest project- Machon Maayan. How is it going you may ask? Read on and you’ll have your answer in one student’s own words…
“This program has introduced me to aspects of Judaism that I never knew existed. It has forced me to delve deep into why I have called myself a Jewish woman. It has introduced me to the hidden spirituality behind minhagim that I have been carelessly doing for years. It is here that I have learned Jewish philosophies and concepts that, in all of my years at a Jewish Day school, I did not touch upon. My eyes have been opened up to view the world in a way that no one could have shown me. I had to see and experience this way of life for myself; I couldn’t have just heard about it from someone else.”
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Sderot NCSY
One girl told me that the only time she leaves her house is to go to NCSY. In Sderot, the NCSY chapter meets in a bomb shelter so that participants can feel safe. We must double and triple our tefilot for Hashem to be the ultimate Mogen David (Shield of David) for the people of Sderot.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
NCSY Senior Executive Team Conference
The Mishna in Avos (2:21) tells us that we can’t always get results, but we still have to make the attempt. Rabbi Neuberger provided ample motivation to forge ahead with the message of Torah, secure in the knowledge that even the apparent failures are precious in G-d’s eyes.
Read the whole storyFriday, March 02, 2007
Drinking on Purim
Purim is the most joyous occasion in the Jewish calendar, yet every year our celebration is marred by the potentially dangerous situation of the underage consumption of alcohol, as well as adult over-indulgence. For the past several years, NCSY has vociferously decried these practices as not only unnecessary, but actually antithetical to the spirit of the day.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Spreading Purim Cheer
We have produced an informative Purim card meant to be inserted in shalach manos. But it doesn’t just say “Happy Purim.” It tells the Purim story, explains the mitzvot of Purim and much more. Its purpose is for Jews who are currently Torah-observant to use in shalach manos meant for their non-observant (or “not-yet-observant") friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Reason
All of the sudden everything became clear; Hashem didn’t want this tzadik that traveled at the crack of dawn to be cold and schlep on his way to learn Torah. That is why I was delayed in the snow.
Read the whole storyWednesday, February 07, 2007
Challenging Young Minds
At Regional 300 Jewish teens were ushered into a fictional “Judaic Park” museum that commemorates the successful destruction of the Jewish people through assimilation through the “fourth” Reich. For an hour and a half, the NCSYers sat mesmerized, shocked, and inspired in a redesigned ballroom at the Costa Mesa Hilton that housed the Judaic Park auditorium.
Read the whole storyThursday, February 01, 2007
Keeping our Captive Brothers in the Hearts and Minds of Klal Yisrael
Mrs. Golwasser expressed a major concern that, after the initial shock of the capture of her husband and the other soldiers wore off, people would forget about them. They would become complacent. Once people forget, there would be no impetus for action that might, please G-d, free our brothers. What can we do, she asked, to keep the soldiers in the hearts and minds of klal Yisrael?
Read the whole storyThursday, January 25, 2007
What a Teacher Makes
Reading this email truly hit home, as it is not only the formal educators who make a difference in our children’s lives, but the informal educators as well. As I travel from coast to coast I am continually in awe of my outstanding staff that is wholly committed to connecting our Jewish youth to Yiddishkeit and available to our NCSYers around the clock despite the fact that their financial reward is not commensurate for the valuable service they provide.
Read the whole storyWednesday, January 17, 2007
The Family Behind the Man
After the surgery this friend turned to the surgeon who was the head of cardiac surgery at this hospital and said, “I not only want to thank you but your family as well for allowing you the freedom and time to help save my daughter.”
After hearing those words the surgeon’s eyes welled up in tears.