Which Is The Most Impressive NCSY Shabbaton
Last Shabbas there were over 1,000 NCSY’ers in Shabbatons including several winter regionals, JSU trips to New York featuring 500 public school students in a concert Motzei Shabbat and 270 people attending the 2nd Alumni Reunion Shabbaton. I was discussing with Dr. David Luchins (Ben Zakkai Guru and frequent guest for our sponsor Touro College at Shabbatonim) a few weeks ago where he was going to go for Shabbas: Long Island NCSY winter regional or the Alumni Shabbaton. Although his wife Vivian seemed torn, his answer was very quick and clear, although I’d love to be at the Alumni Shabbaton when given the choice,I want to be with the kids.
I’ve been thinking about those words ever since and I want to go on record that I think Dr. Luchins had the right idea, but underestimated a different group of kids. Don’t get me wrong, I love going to NCSY Shabbatonim to experience the excitement of teenagers passionate about Judaism and if anyone wants the opportunity to sponsor one of our Shabbatons and come to share the experience, please let me know!! However, this past Shabbas at the Alumni Shabbaton I was with the kids that perhaps count most of all - the children and grand children of NCSY alumni. The future generations that we have created in 52 years of NCSY. I would not trade the extreme pleasure I felt at Havdala looking on the faces of dozens of NCSY’s greatest peirus for a different Shabbaton pleasure at any of our awesome regions.
Next year I hope we can all share this pleasure together at a future NCSY alumni Shabbaton in your region, NY/NJ or even better in Jerusalem!
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