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.

Rabbi Yitzchok “Itchie” Lowenbraun

Former Director of NCSY Atlantic Seaboard

Nominated and written by Rabbi Dave Felsenthal, Director NCSY Alumni

Rabbi Lowenbraun was the Regional Director of NCSY in Atlantic Seaboard Region and from the first time I met him as a 5th grader at my first Jr. NCSY Shabbaton, I was attracted to his excitement and passion for Judaism and Jewish kids.

Back in the day Reb Itchie was this cool Chassid who water-skied, break-danced, played electric guitar, could party like no other and got up with sunrise every day to learn Torah and pray before most people even woke up.  He was loving, intelligent and when he spoke he could really pull your heartstrings.

He taught me to dream big and never give up, he taught me Hakaras Hatov and he led by personal example.  Every time I started a new School or Job he visited the Rosh Yeshiva or called my new Boss to tell them how lucky they were to have me.  He is still my biggest fan and I will always be his!