Fulfilling G-d's Mission
How does one know if they are fulfilling G-d’s mission in this world? How does one know if his or her actions in this world are pleasing to G-d up above? These are questions that I pour over each night and stay awake agonizing over.
These same questions can also be applied to every Jewish organization. How do we know, as an organization, that we are fulfilling G-d’s will? Over the last fifteen years that I have dedicated myself to NCSY I have generally used the same barometer to judge both the success of my work and NCSY as a whole. I always ask myself, “If I was not doing what I am currently doing, would someone else take my place? If NCSY did not exist, would there be another organization that brings thousands of teens closer to Yiddishkeit?”
Over the years in the various places and positions I have served within NCSY I felt that the answer was a resounding “no.” With immense feelings of fulfillment and pride I know that I serve a unique and desperately needed position. So too, my heart fills with anxiety and sorrow at the mere thought of a world without NCSY. NCSY has an unparalleled record of connecting Jewish teens to Judaism and Torah for over half a century.
With these thoughts in mind I was exceptionally proud to be a part of NCSY this past weekend where I attended Toronto NCSY’s regional convention. Over 200 participants had come to spend the Shabbos with NCSY in Camp Northland. 75% of those participants were from NCSY ‘s Torah High School. In essence, 150 of the teens at this camp for Shabbat learn Torah with NCSY each and every week.
On my way to Shabbos morning davening I realized I was early, so I stopped by the lunchroom to schmooze with some NCSYers. One teen named Miriam told me that she was a high school junior who had become an observant Jew since 9th grade due to the inspiration and guidance she found at NCSY. Miriam proceeded to thank me profusely for the website that we run. Intrigued, I asked her what she particularly liked about the site and she told me it was our section on yeshivot and seminaries in Israel. Since Miriam attends public high school she has no opportunity or outlet to meet any of the seminary heads that travel to all the yeshiva high schools. Her sole connection to the awesome world of Torat Eretz Yisroel is through http://www.NCSY.org. Having spent time with Miraim I can proudly say that NCSY is definitely fulfilling G-d’s mission in this world.
Thanks for a great blog and for your superb work in continuing NCSY’s irreplaceable missions of kiruv and chizuk. May you have many years of continued success .
Posted by Steve Brizel on 06/07 at 12:33 PM
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