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.

Elliot Tanzman

Director of NCSY Summer Recruitment

Nominated and written by Alyssa Ryan Wexler, NCSYer

 

As I walked into the NCSY office to wait for the bus for my first Shabbaton with NCSY, I was greeted by a very friendly advisor named Elliot Tanzman. The first thing I noticed was his contagious smile, which accompanied his bright and kind personality. He introduced himself, then explained to me all about the organization and what his role is, as I knew absolutely nothing about it. Through explaining about the different opportunities I would get in NCSY, Elliot lit the flame of my passion for this organization. Every time I talk to Elliot about my Judaism or his experiences, I can feel my flame burn even brighter.

Over the past few years after meeting Elliot, I have had the opportunity to attend some of his great learning and discussion sessions. He shared experiences of his own in a session about being a Jew in the modern world, which really left an impact on me. I have been able to learn from Elliot’s experiences and apply them to my life as I grow as a Jew and an individual. Elliot is such a positive person and is always spreading his bubbly personality to all around him, as he tries to get everyone as involved in this great organization. I look up to Elliot as a role model, and I hope some day I can have the same impact on someone else and be the spark which lights someone’s flame of passion for this organization. Thank you, Elliot, for showing me the power of Judaism and this organization. I wouldn’t be who I am today without your spark which lit my flame of passion for NCSY and my Judaism.