Our Future Leaders
Last week as I took familiar steps across Auschwitz I was accompanied by 40 participants from NCSY JOLT II. NCSY JOLT II is a high school program where teens spend a week touring Jewish sites throughout Poland then travel to Kharkov, Ukraine to run a summer camp for three weeks and finish their experience with a week in Israel. The pride that was thumping through my entire being stemmed from the fact that the Jewish people are still here over 60 years later. Jews are free to walk in and out of the concentration camps and do whatever they please. Jewish teenagers can spend their days relaxing on (separate) beaches or watching (G rated) movies all summer long.
Yet, last week in Auschwitz stood 40 teenagers who had given up a carefree summer (complete with overlooked American luxuries) to dedicate themselves to their people. They decided to educate young, unaffiliated Ukrainian Jewish children and spread their love of Torah---Ashrei HaAm SheKacha Lo!!
I believe these 40 teenagers will be the future leaders of the Jewish people. These NCSYers were bright, intelligent, funny, and lively; in short they were the best! I cannot wait until they get back home so NCSY can work with them to stop assimilation in America. If this group puts their mind to it they will be able to accomplish anything!
Rabbi, The Jolters are missing you and your impact on the program but thank G-d we have had a tremendous impact on the Ukrainian children here, all the Ukrainian teachers keep on saying how this is the best group of Jolt teens they have seen in a long time. How lucky we were to be part of this experience!
Kol Tuv
YechPosted by Yechiel S. on 07/30 at 10:30 AM
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