The Unknown Impact of a NCSY Shabbaton
Last week I had the unique privilege to visit over 25 Israeli Yeshivot. It is remarkable to see how far American programs in Israel have progressed. There are currently so many programs available and Boruch Hashem they all seem full. One of the most fascinating Yeshivot I visited was Ohr Sameach. This single institution houses at least 25 programs alone!
As I was standing in the courtyard of the Yeshiva, watching all the bochurim briskly walking in all directions, one of them came forward and approached me. He quizzically looked at me and told me that I looked very familiar. I replied that it was likely due to NCSY, as I have been active for 15 years in Detroit, Los Angeles, and lately New York. He said, “You were the Regional Director of West Coast NCSY. I was at your convention three years ago, but not as an NCSY’er”. And so he began to delve into his story….
Three years ago this young man had begun to draw closer to Judaism. He started keeping Shabbos and was successful for two months. After those two months he had to attend his best friend’s wedding in Newport Beach, CA. He struggled with attending the wedding for two reasons. Firstly, he would be stranded at the hotel by himself for Shabbos and secondly, his friend was marrying a non-Jewish girl.
In the end, he felt he owed it to his friend to be at the wedding. As he dejectedly walked into the hotel that Friday he spotted another kippah and then another and another. Puzzled, he proceeded to ask the kippah wearing teens what they were doing there. They told him that they were there for a Shabbaton with NCSY. He soon discovered that for Shabbat he would be sharing the hotel with 550 other Jews, all of whom were keeping Shabbos.
The young man hurriedly approached me to inquire if he could join our NCSY group for Shabbat. I responded that we would be honored. As a result, this young man celebrated one of the most spiritually meaningful Shabbatot with NCSY. It strengthened his resolve to remain steadfast in his observance and faith and a few weeks later he boarded a plane to Israel to study at Ohr Sameach where he is currently a student. Upon learning this story I was completely stunned. We posed for a picture together and traded contact information.
What is extraordinary about this story is that it clearly demonstrates that HaKodush Boruch Hu runs and orchestrates the world. Only Hashem can arrange to have 550 Jews come to a place with no Shabbos or Torah to strengthen the faith of one Jew. This story also demonstrates how much Hashem treasures every Jew.
May it be Hashem’s will that the hundreds of Shabbatonim that NCSY runs every year strengthen the Jewish People from all corners of the globe.
Amen, Kein Yehi Ratzon! Fantastic and inspiring.
Posted by Rabbi Yonah on 03/01 at 02:01 PMAmen V’Amen.
Posted by Avraham Albelda on 03/03 at 02:10 PMSuperb blog. May HaShem give you and NCSY much strength both to do both kiruv and chizuk ( outreach and inreach) for our communities
Posted by Steve Brizel on 03/10 at 09:51 AMWow great blog
Posted by Heidi on 03/30 at 10:00 PMI was at that regional it was my first and so far only spring regional it was the most amazing thing i was ever privelgied to be at. I cannot wait to go to this years spring regional. Thank You Rabbi Burg for an amazing regional experince.
Being Jewish has Never Been so Hot!
Dana
Posted by Dana Schechter on 04/04 at 06:40 PM
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