Faces

Nominated and written by Daniel Wiseman, Former NCSYer During his five years as NCSY director in Vancouver, Rabbi Avi Berman inspired us with his passion, energy, warmth, dedication, and tenacity. As regional director for NCSY across Western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest, he inspired countless Jews in Seattle, Portland, Edmonton, and Calgary, in addition to Vancouver. He inspired

Nominated and written by Chevi Friedman, Former NCSYer   Growing up in my house was confusing. I went to a yeshiva my whole life, learning about Judaism and halachot. But we didn’t keep any of those halachot that I learned at home. We watched TV after lighting Shabbos candles, we went to McDonalds when we

Nominated and written by Rabbi Dave Felsenthal, Director NCSY Alumni When I was in junior NCSY, no advisor really paid much attention to this Beth Tfiloh day school kid until I met Moishe Zucker.  Moishe was this big scary advisor with a heart of gold.  He gave me my first sefer.  He gave me my

Nominated and written by Meira Schneider-Atik I was not like most NCSY kids (or most any kids, for that matter). I was born and raised Orthodox and NCSY was a way for me to meet people and make friends. I was awkward socially, and NCSY was a haven for me. I had a lot of wonderful

Nominated and written by Leeor Israeli, NCSYer   I grew up living in a very reform Jewish home. I always felt some sort of stronger connection to orthodox Judaism, but never got the chance to express it. Coming to high school, I joined NCSY and realized that I now had a chance to embrace my

Nominated and written by Sarah Starr, NCSYer   Julianne is my role model. Aside from being a good Jewish girl who says her prayers and does her mitzvot, she is one of the kindest and most sincere people I know. Not to mention that naturally vintage style of hers. But she’s there with me when

Nominated and written by her TJJ Bus  7 NCSYers It’s hard to know how to describe Esther or the impact she had (and still has) on me. Esther has this way of connecting to people, of getting to know them and connecting in a real, profound way. The care and sincerity she shows, and the way she gives of

Nominated and written by Binyomin Barman, NCSY advisor and alumnus Ari is literally the reason why I am the person I am today.Today, I am an NCSY Advisor for NJ who has a passion for my Judaism and how to be a Jewish leader for our future generation. Ari was there for me around the

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

Nominated and written by Lieba Brownstein, NCSY Alumna I am sitting here a very frum girl I like to think, post shana alef, post shana bet and thank G-d I have a team of people that got me to this point. But I can never thank Rina Olivestone enough for what she did for me