60 Faces of NCSY

Often, a person has no idea of the impact he or she has made on someone else. 60 Faces of NCSY was created to change that. The people we feature every day were nominated by NCSY alumni and NCSYers to express gratitude to someone that inspired them.

Derek Gormin

Director of Education, JSU

Nominated and written by Benjy Kurnick, NCSYer

Since I started my NCSY “career,” there has always been someone I can go to for advice, help, or just to talk. Derek Gormin is  that person and such an amazing human being. The way he connects with everyone he meets is truly unbelievable. He has the gift to make everyone feel special and he uses it! As my last year of NCSY comes to a close, I know I will always have Derek to be there for me. He helped me stay on the path of Judaism and keep all my beliefs important to me. He is one of the main reasons I am as religious as I am today and I don’t even think he understands the impact he has had on me and countless others.

I want to give him a massive Bracha that he only has happiness in his life and continues to be able to continue inspiring and helping others and that he derive joy from all that he does. I hope Hashem guides him to where he is supposed to be and lastly I hope to always stay in contact with him!

 

Nominated and written by Brian Paknoosh, NCSYer

Derek not only inspires me every time I see him, but I know he inspires every child that he comes in contact with. Derek always gives his 110% to every student he ever meets. Along with his wife, he opens his home every day to students to help others find inspiration and get closer to Judaism.

 

Nominated and written by Richelle Willner-Martin, NCSYer

The way Derek became religous from knowing nothing about Judaism is a true inspiration to me. His story has given me hope that even though I don’t come from a religous background I have the ability to become religous on my own. He truly cares about everyone  he meets and his story has inspired many.