THE NCSY NEWSLETTER CHANUKAH 2011

Rael and Aliza Blumenthal, City Directors of the Teaneck branch of NCSY, spent their summer leading a group of 42 public school teens on a tour of Israel.

“The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ) is a program aimed exclusively at public school students who have a very limited background,” explained Rael. “Many of them have not had a bar or bat-mitzvah and have never been to Israel. This trip provides a kick start into understanding what Judaism is all about.”

At their recent reunion Shabbaton, participants enjoyed Friday night dinners at local families followed by an Oneg at the home of Shimmie & Alissa Horn. Over the weekend, the group heard from 9/11 survivor Martin Fineberg speak about appreciating life’s gifts and from L.A. sports and celebrity agent David Fishoff, who told the enthralled audience that they can be successful without giving up their Jewish lifestyle.  They were welcomed to the community by Rabbis Shalom Baum and Steven Pruzansky.

NCSY’s summer program TJJ participants Rachel Rettig, Ilana Bandler and Temima Nugiel.

Ari & Deborah LewitterHe’s a Paramedic; she’s an EMT and a lifeguard. Together, exceptional couple Ari and Deborah Lewitter devote their time to saving lives.

Their inspirational qualities don’t end there. Ari and Deborah give their time and money to many charitable organizations. But their involvement in NCSY is unmatched. As NCSY board members, they have attended almost every single Shabbaton for the last 12 years. What draws the Lewitters to NCSY? “It’s such a unique program,” Ari says. “It’s one of the few kiruv programs that also engages religious teens.”

The Journey Continues

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NEW JERSEY

Dear friends and partners,

We’re very excited to share with you some

of the outstanding things that are going

on in the New Jersey region in this special

local edition of IGNITE. Even though it’s

only been a few months since the school

year began, we have already experienced

tremendous growth. Take a look inside

and enjoy! Wishing you and your families a

happy Chanukah!- Rabbi Yaakov Glasser

E D I T I O N

Number of teens involved in NCSY

Number of programs we run each year

Number of public and private schools we service students in

Number of NCSY public school clubs in New Jersey

Deborah adds, “The fact that they also nourish kids who come from frum backgrounds is very important. You can come from yeshivas your whole life and know what’s expected of you. But NCSY takes religion and makes it exciting. Mitzvos become something you want to do, something fun, not just a chore. NCSY provides the heart to Torah observance.”

Ari and Deborah both attended NCSY while growing up in New Jersey – he in Long Branch, she in Trenton. While married, they continued to participate in the annual NCSY fundraiser in their shul. Then in 1999 – nearly 25 years after they last attended an NCSY Shabbaton – they were invited to join an NCSY Regional Convention. They fell in love with NCSY all over again. “It reminded us how much we loved Shabbatons when we were younger.”

After that, Ari and Deborah became heavily involved. They helped create an active layperson board. They were also two of the key figures in writing many of NCSY’s policies that ensure participants are safe and secure. Ari and Deborah donated a Sefer Torah in memory of Deborah’s father that travels with NCSY around the country. “You’ve got to be the one to stand up and make sure it flourishes,” Deborah said. “You can’t wait for someone else. We had a 16 year old and a 6 month old and we wanted to make sure there would be a strong NCSY for them when they grew up.”

Ari and Deborah are determined to ensure that their enthusiasm is passed down to their children. Their older daughter who was president of NJ NCSY’s Highland Park chapter and a member of the regional board is now studying at the NCSY Bar Ilan Program in Israel while their younger daughter is very involved in Junior NCSY. “They are unique kids,” Ari says. “They have been to almost every Regional Convention.” He is proud to watch NCSY grow in its reach and impact. “It’s great to see,” he says, “how they get more and more kids involved each year. And they are doing tremendous work. I’m shepping nachas.”

While at the Shabbatons, Ari and Deborah let the professionals handle the kiruv and they focus on making sure all the kids are safe. When it was pointed out to Deborah that they are true lifesavers, not just through their EMT, paramedic and lifeguarding duties but also through their involvement with NCSY too, a beam spread across her face. “I never thought of it like that. But I guess it’s true.”

... Donor Spotlight continued

Determined and single-minded, Allie Belfer knew from a young age what she wanted to achieve. NCSY was not part of that plan.

“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and help people,” she says. So, at age 14, Allie began studying at Manmouth County Academy of Allied Health Services, a school dedicated to health sciences. 

From Manalapan, NJ, Allie comes from a traditional family that enjoys spending Friday night dinners together as well as celebrating the Jewish festivals. Allie thrived at school but soon realized that this new environment presented many challenges. “It was difficult. I was the only person in my school that took off key Jewish holidays,” she says. She struggled with maintaining the traditions that had been such an integral part of her life until that point.

“My parents and brother tried to encourage me to join NCSY,” she recalls, “But I had no interest at that point”.  Allie was single-minded in her focus on medicine and engagement with Jewish organizations was a low priority.

Later that year, Allie attended an NCSY event honoring her brother Samy who had recently become NCSY’s Regional President and confesses that she was pleasantly surprised. “Everyone was so nice to each other,” she says. “No one was judgmental in the slightest, and I actually started looking forward to spending time with people who were like me and understood me.” She also began to form a close relationship with one of the chapter advisors – Raizel Garfinkel.

Allie’s involvement with NCSY continued to grow and at age 17, Allie applied for

“The Jerusalem Journey Ambassadors” (TJJA) – a popular NCSY summer program that trains top Jewish youth leaders to become advocates for Israel. She was one of just 40 students selected from all over the country to take part in the five-week trip.

On her return, Allie was handpicked by local advisors to become president of NCSY’s Englishtown chapter, which thrived under her direction. She brought a record number of teens to the 2011 Spring Regional Shabbaton and was awarded the title “NCSYer of the Year.”

Last December, Allie – encouraged by mentor Raizel and with the support of her parents – decided to start observing Shabbat. “It was very hard at first but as time went on it became really rewarding.  It’s the best decision I have ever made!”

Since then, not only has Allie been accepted into the Brandeis pre-med program, but she has also decided to spend six months at an NCSY-affiliated seminary in Bet Shemesh, Israel. “I heard about Machon Maayan when I was on TJJA,” she says. “I know that I’ll have a great time and the opportunity to learn more about my Judaism.”

As for Allie’s future plans, her days of ambivalence are truly in the past and she wants to stay active as an NCSY leader. “Once I’m back and settled in at Brandeis, I would love to become an advisor for one of the chapters near Boston.” 

“Isn’t it funny how things change?” she says with a smile.

Allie Belfer

Allie Belfer (middle) studying at NCSY’s Yarchei Kallah Scholars Program with Monmouth County Co-Director Yardena Bannett (right) and another advisor.

You’ve got to be the one to stand up... You can’t wait for someone else.

DonalD Trump General Counsel speaks To nJ nCsY sTuDenTsJason Dov Greenblatt, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Trump Organization, spoke to fifty or so teens at Monmouth County NCSY’s weekly “Latte & Learning” program about making Shabbat and Yom Tov a priority while working.   Mr. Greenblatt is one of the top executives working with Trump and was involved with structuring Mr. Trump’s side of the transaction for the popular television program, The Apprentice.  Greenblatt shared several personal stories with the NCSYers.  In one, he told how after days of working around the clock trying to put together an eight-hundred million dollar deal, he realized that a three-day Yom Tov was quickly approaching and that he would not be able to complete the transaction on time.  With trepidation, he informed Mr. Trump that because of religious reasons, he would have to leave the deal and return after the Holiday was over.  He was very relieved when Mr. Trump proved to be understanding and supportive of his choice.  “Mr. Trump told me to go and be with my family” he said.  “Hearing from a successful lawyer who chooses to risk everything in order to keep Shabbat & Jewish holidays has a certain ‘wow’ appeal! Teenagers love that. He makes it cool to be observant,” said Rabbi Dovid Cofnas, Director of Development for New Jersey NCSY.  “Jason feels very strongly about upholding traditional Jewish values and wants to transmit that to the next generation.  His talk made a great impact,” he said.

nJ nCsY senDs Team To nashville DisasTer areaRabbi Ethan Katz, Associate Regional Director of NJ NCSY, ran a Chesed Disaster Relief Mission to Nashville with students in Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) and Fair Lawn High School. Teaming up with Southeast Nashville Recovery, the teens assisted with the cleanup of widespread flooding that caused more than 1.5 billion dollars worth of damage last year and affected over 2,000 homes and landmarks, including the Grand Ole Opry. The delegation helped reinstall tiles in homes, remove decks and replace sidewalks. “These students were not afraid to get down-and-dirty to help strangers for the sake of tikkun olam,” said Rabbi Katz. “The day school students also had the opportunity to share their knowledge with the public school teens, who in turn, inspired us all with their passion for truth and Jewish growth.”

monmouTh CounTY proGrams showinG GrowThSince November 2010, Yardena and Ariel Bannett, the new Monmouth County directors have made a strong impact with the teens in the local communities. Together, they run six Jewish Culture Clubs at local public schools and a weekly Latte & Learning at Englishtown’s Baskin-Robbins/Dunkin’ Donuts. Approximately 50 public school and yeshiva day school students attend for free coffee and ice cream followed by a short inspirational talk. The Bannetts brought a record 67 teens to NCSY’s Regional Convention at the Hudson Valley Resort and signed up 16 students for summer programs in Israel. Asked what their secret was, Ariel and Yardena said, “we treat every NCSY student as part of our family and develop real connections with them.”

new JerseY nCsY expanDs iTs reaChAfter years of traditionally being linked to specific synagogues, NCSY’s chapter setup recently went through a systematic and strategic re-evaluation, resulting in new outreach models that have proven to be far more successful. By hiring young couples and renting accommodations for them in major locations around New Jersey, they are able to host students for Shabbat dinners and onegs, visit the local synagogues to engage the youth and set up Jewish Culture Clubs in the surrounding public schools. As of now, NCSY has staff in Teaneck, Fair Lawn, West Orange, Highland Park, Manalapan and Linden.

TeaneCk nCsY spenDs shabbaT aT Jewish nursinG homeNCSY recently took a group of 16 teens to spend Shabbat with residents at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, near Monsey, NY. Working with Chaplain Rabbi Shimon Feld, NCSY ran a Shabbat minyan with leyening and joined the residents for meals, accompanied by lively singing, dancing and divrei Torah. According to Teaneck Directors Rael & Aliza Blumenthal, the goal of the program was not only to involve key students in a weekend of chesed, but also “to teach the NCSYers to appreciate the gifts that they have and use them to make the world a better place.”

Jason Greenblatt, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Trump Organization, with his son Noah and Englishtown NCSY’s Latte & Learning participants.

NCSYers pose for a picture after spending a wonderful Shabbat at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh.

December 30-31Shabbat of InspirationCongregation Keter Torah, Teaneck, NJYarchei Kallah Shabbat of Inspiration with 200 NCSY public school students in attendance from across the USA.

Date TBA / 9:30am – 11:30amScholarship BreakfastTeaneck, NJJoin us at our annual Bergen County Scholarship Breakfast at the home of Shimmie & Alissa Horn, 465 Winthrop Rd. in Teaneck.

January 8th / 7:00pmParenting Evening on Teen SpiritualityCongregation Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, NJNCSY is proud to present a parenting evening – “Teens & Spirituality: New Approaches for a New Generation” featuring a keynote address and practical workshops. See back cover for more details.

February 8thNCSY / Ma’ayanot Chesed Disaster Relief Mission to New OrleansNew Orleans, lA

February 22ndNCSY / Kushner High School Chesed Disaster Relief Mission to New OrleansNew Orleans, lA

April 9-11Chol Hamoed Pesach Spectacular at Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild SafariJackson, NJ

April 27-28NCSY Public School Student ShabbatonTeaneck, NJ

May 10-12Spring Regional ConventionHudson Valley resort & Spa, Kerhonkson, NYJoin us and over 300 NCSYers for our Spring Regional Convention.

Want more info on these events?Call Dovid Cofnas at 201.862.0250 x 300

The Local News You Need to Know

NCSYers at work on the Chesed Disaster Relief Mission.

1345 Queen Anne Rd.Teaneck, NJ 07666

Regional Leadership

Rabbi Yaakov GlasserRegional Director201 862 0250 x 303glasser@njncsy.com

Rabbi Ethan KatzAssociate Regional Director201 862 0250 x 308ethan@njncsy.com

Rabbi Dovid CofnasDirector of Development201 862 0250 x 300dovid@njncsy.com

Executive LeadershipRabbi Steven BurgInternational Director, NCSY

Mr. Keevy FriedAssoc. International Director, NCSY

Mr. Joseph StechlerYouth Commission Chairman, OU

Rabbi Dr. Simcha KatzPresident, OU

NEW JERSEY NCSY1345 Queen Anne Rd.Teaneck, NJ 07666201-862-0250www.njncsy.comwww.ncsygreatadventure.comwww.ncsysummer.com

www.ncsy.org

NCSY is the international youth movement of the OU.

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