Southern NCSY at Universal Studios in Orlando

I’m Nitzan Levy. I’m a 12^th grader at Spanish River High School and Boca Raton NCSY’s Chapter President. And I’m writing to say “thank you.”

You’re probably busy this time of year. I know I am! Right now, I’m studying for my AP courses, finishing college apps, interviewing for seminaries in Israel AND working two jobs after school. But as busy as I am, when Todd and Rabbi Gonsher asked me to participate in NCSY’s annual Dreidel Campaign, I simply couldn’t say no. And I want to tell you why.

Did you know that donors like you, enable hundreds of kids like me, to grow together at weekly Latte and Learns? My friends come from public school, private academies and Jewish day schools for these programs. They’re written up in Ignite (enclosed), but the point is, without you, so many of us wouldn’t have these safe havens.  And then where would we develop a connection to our Jewish community or ask our life questions? Thank you, for giving Latte and Learn to teens like me.

Thumb thru Ignite, and you’ll see pictures from our Shabbaton. Irrelevant of background of affiliation, these weekends are often our only opportunity to experience Shabbat with passion and excitement. We come together from all over nine states – and advisors volunteer to fly in from across the country – because the experiences you help create are truly our lifelines to our Jewish heritage. And it’s your generosity that makes these shabbatons possible. So again, thank you.

Finally, you’ll read about a role model of mine, Freda Greenbaum, who’s already super-involved in Jewish communal work. When you read her bio, you’ll see that she certainly didn’t need another cause to be passionate about. But Mrs. Greenbaum, like me, can’t say no. She and I both know you’ll see what we see. In a world where so many kids can’t seem to find Judaism meaningful, relevant or fun, NCSY is successfully reaching out. And they’re only successful because of donors like you.

I hope you have a wonderful Chanukkah and that despite how busy we all are, you’ll still make time to participate in our Dreidel Campaign. Please join the many other leaders in our community who are changing lives through their gifts to Southern NCSY.

Thanks again,

Nitzan Levy

Chapter President, Boca NCSY

PS.  Until December 31^st, your donation will be doubled, thanks to a generous matching grant by a local NCSY alumni and a true believer in kids like me. That’s twice the number of teens you can inspire!

PPS. We’ve made it easy for you to give – go online today to ncsy.southern.org and change live!

Creating Tomorrow's Leaders

To participate in future Southern NCSY events, please contact Todd Cohn at CohnT@NCSY.org

Southern NCSY Appoints Rabbi Joe and Miriam Goldglantz
as Directors of the Newly Formed Aventura Chapter.

Boca Raton, FL (August 29, 2011) – Southern NCSY is pleased to announce the appointment of Rabbi Joe and Miriam Goldglantz as NCSY City Directors of Aventura, Florida.

As a native Floridian, hailing from the Hollywood chapter of NCSY and having attended Hillel Community Day School of North Miami, Rabbi Goldglantz is no stranger to this community and outreach. His deep devotion for perpetuating the love of Judaism is evident in all that he does.

“What I want is simple. I want to expose Jews who have not otherwise had the opportunity to experience first hand the beauty of our tradition. I am honored to be part of the Southern NCSY team. There is no other organization with such a critical mission and resources to back it up,” stated Rabbi Goldglantz.
In addition to being involved with Southern NCSY, Joe is currently finishing up his legal training at Nova Southeastern University.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Aventura, Miriam’s profession is interior design, decorating residential and commercial properties. Her passion is sharing with other her love for Judaism. Her well received organization, Chessed-for-You, is bringing smiles and warmth to the hearts of many. She has been exceedingly successful in bringing world renowned speakers to the unaffiliated world and is looking forward to bringing her talents to Southern NCSY.

“Joe and Miriam are a dynamic young couple,” said Todd Cohn, Executive Director of Southern NCSY. “They are the perfect storm. They are passionate, creative, Jewish role models who have a rock climbing wall in their house! They will no doubt be an asset to the Aventura community. NCSY and the local teens are fortunate to have them.”

Rabbi Joe and Miriam were married almost two years ago and currently reside in Aventura with their five month old son Dovid Shlomo.

Yachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. (Put something else about NCSY here) For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org — Posted By Southern NCSY to Southern NCSY Happenings at 7/14/2011 07:31:00 AMYachad, an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community and NCSY, the premier organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens, are both under the umbrella of the Orthodox Union. Both Yachad and NCSY have regional advisory boards. The boards are made up of teens who are dedicated to enriching their Jewish communities through various programming efforts. The Yachad inaugural meeting for the 2011-2012 Slate of Teen Officers took place on Wednesday, June 30th, 2011. Eliana Feldan, 16 of Boca Raton, FL and Gabriella Sobol, 16 of Hollywood, FL assumed the roles of Co-Presidents and Samita Barrocas, 17 of Boca Raton, FL became the NCSY Liaison. The new board discussed member responsibilities, including attendance of monthly meetings, staffing Yachad programs and serving as ambassadors to the cause in their home communities. The new board evaluated potential programs for future events, including an annual marathon, boat ride, spa event and Oscars-style party. “What’s amazing, is that I am not even in Florida right now, and this meeting was organized and executed totally on their own! It’s unbelievable how dedicated these teens are,” stated Tzippi Rosen, Yachad South Florida Coordinator. “This initial meeting truly highlights the teen’s assumption of responsibility and leadership roles in our communities.” “We are both so excited for the upcoming school year and what it has in store for Yachad South Florida. The new high school board met earlier this week and from the get-go, we can see that the board members are not only motivated, but also thinking outside the box. Countless ideas were presented as we brainstormed, and we, along with the rest of the Yachad high school board, cannot wait to start turning those ideas into a reality! We are excited to include even more people in Yachad this upcoming year, and we cannot wait to get started!”, stated Eliana and Gabriella. The purpose of the teen board is to give them responsibility and help in the creation of programs and events. Having them involved in the process gives them the confidence to become future leaders within the Jewish Community. About Yachad and NCSY Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Yachad activities provide our members with opportunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The ‘inclusive design’ gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate our community about our members’ abilities and strengths. NCSY works together with Yachad to provide many activities, including Shabbatons and many NCSY members participate as the mainstream component. For more information on Yachad and NCSY, please visit http://www.ou.org

I am standing at the Kotel, after the four most intense and amazing weeks of my life. I have been here before, but it looks different now, and I cannot help but reflect on the reasons why. I am on a program called JOLT (Jewish Overseas Leadership Training). Our group travelled to Poland, we ran a summer camp for German children in Austria, and now we are here in Israel.

As I place my hand on the Wall, I remember back about three weeks. We stood in the gas chamber of Auschwitz, where I placed my hand on a very different wall. Instead of feeling beautiful stones with the notes of the hopes and prayers of my people, I felt a cold concrete wall with the scratch marks of the six million. No words can describe the emptiness I felt standing there. But as we left the horrific camp, I took tremendous pride in the unity between all of the JOLTers as we sang and comforted one another with one fact: that the Jewish people are still here.

I open my siddur and begin to daven. I am reading very familiar words in Hebrew, a language I am so fortunate to be able to understand. I think about Katharina. At fourteen years old, she had never had a Jewish experience and was the only Jew in her school. Yet in the middle of the gorgeous Austrian Alps, I taught her to read Hebrew. She was so eager to learn and to experience her heritage, which had been a mystery to her for so long. I helped her daven the Shmoneh Esrei, and we lit her first shabbas candles together. She and every camper we spent those amazing two weeks with inspired me beyond words. I saw Judaism through their eyes, and there is no way I could ever see the Western Wall or my religion the same way again.

After experiencing the horrors of Poland and running such an inspiring summer camp in Austria, we finally landed in Israel. All of us have been here before, but none of us had experienced this level of appreciation for our homeland. We are united with an unbreakable bond, and now we have ten days to have fun and reflect on our experiences.

Now, every member of JOLT stands at the Wall, and we are all changed forever.

Joseph Neder, a graduating senior from Centennial High School, was quoted at the end of the article below. I have attached a copy of the article.

Joseph’s quote:
“I grew up in a house with a Christian father and Jewish mother. I celebrated Chanukah and Christmas but I was never really into Judaism… I started attending some JSU events when I began high school and I was immediately turned on to the fun of it all! In each of the conventions I’ve attended over the last 4 years I’ve always tried to take something home with me. I now talk to G-d every day. Without JSU I would not be the person I am today in my Jewish identity. I look back now at who I used to be versus who I am now and have JSU and Rabbi Neiditch in particular to thank not only for bringing more Judaism into my life, but for bringing my Judaism to life.”