Taking The Step

Today was the first day that I wore my Kepa without covering it up with a hat. 

This was a step that I knew was coming and wanted to happen. It just had to be the right time and today was it. 

When I woke up, I got ready and proudly put my Kepa on and left my red hat that I usually put on top of my Kepa on my shelf with only my kepa covering my head. 

I wondered what people were going to say or act like but this still did not stop me. 

I am proud to be Jewish and I have nothing to hide. I was free. A free and proud jew in my school with nothing to hide. I was not hiding anything when I put my hat on the last 7 weeks. 

I still wore my Kepa but was just waiting for the right time to take the step after I made a huge announcement 2 weeks before so that is the reason. I did not feel the power until the afternoon, about 30 minutes before JSU, and then it suddenly came to me. I took the step! I was so proud and still am. I wear my NCSY SUMMER kepa around that I bought at Yom NCSY last year on TJJ. 

That’s how my first day went wearing my Kepa at school.

Post by,

Lee Goodman

Remembering Our Soldiers

Right now in Israel it is Yom Hazikaron, a memorial day for the fallen Israeli soldiers.

We should never forget how appreciative and be grateful we should be for the soldiers who are risking their lives for our safety and the safety of Eretz Yisrael.

These videos are about two incredibly heroic soldiers who gave their lives protecting what was so special to them.

Courtesy of Aish.com

"You can't fulfill your dreams, unless you dare to risk it all."

- Michael Levin

What Is Our Secret?

”...If statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the Milky way. properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world’s list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvelous fight in this world, in all the ages; and had done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it.

The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed; and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other people have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?”  

 - Mark Twain
(“Concerning The Jews,” Harper’s Magazine, 1899
see The Complete Essays of Mark Twain, Doubleday [1963] pg. 249)

What do you think is our secret?

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Chazak V'ematz

This weekend I went with my school on our annual winter shabbaton. On Shabbat morning, when our Rabbi came to wake us up, he told us that an incident had happened involving vandalism and we had to discuss it immediately with everyone before davening. At that point I thought the usual, that some student had broken something in the hotel. But when I arrived at davening with my roommates we were not allowed into the usual davening room. The whole school met in the next room over and our Rabbi began to tell us what happened. He said that in middle of the night, someone came and vandalized our things. He wrote anti-semitic things on our Siddurim, and he broke some of our band's equipment. But worst of all, he wrote and spat on our Sefer Torah, our most prized possession, putting it in a condition that we can no longer use it. Soon, Homeland Security and the FBI arrived. We were not allowed into the room where this took place since it became a crime scene. This meant that davening would evoke an extreme challenge for us. We had to share the extra Siddurim that we had, four people per a book. We also had to cut our davening extremely short since it was Rosh Chodesh and we didn't have a Sefer Torah to read from.

Why should this happen to us? We've been gone from our home in Memphis for only one day. Why now? What did we do wrong? We're just a small school of only 48 innocent Jewish boys. Does being Jewish make us guilty? We didn't choose to be Jewish, we were born into it and raised by it. I don't understand. But I do know that this has been happening to us for thousands of years. It happened just a couple of weeks ago when rockets were fired into Israel. Anti-semitism is everywhere. They do this because of our religion. They do this because we are Jewish. But we can't allow things like this get to us. Sure, it's scary and makes me angry, but if we let it affect us in negative ways we are basically giving people like this the win.

As shabbos was "ebbing" away we sang "Acheinu." I started listening to the words. "Acheinu kol beit yisrael, han'nutunim b'tzara uvashivyah." It says, "Our brothers, the whole house of Israel, who are in distress and captivity." I realized that it's in times like these when we need each other the most in order to comfort one another. It made me think back to the times on NCSY when you never feel alone. There's always someone you can talk to for comfort.

Thankfully, no one was hurt by this incident, and they do have a suspect as to who it was that committed this hate crime. But we are not letting this stop us. We are moving on with our shabbaton. Don't let anything ever stop you because your Jewish.

Post by, Sendy Gross

Individually Communal

Throughout our lives, we experience the tension between being an individual and being part of a community. How can we balance the two? How can we be sure to maintain our individual identities while also being part of a community at large? How can we make ourselves stand out in a community full of special people?

As we begin the book of Shmot (okay, I'm a little bit behind, we actually started Shmot this past shabbos), we see that the book of Shmot focuses on Bnei Yisrael as a whole, while Sefer Bereishit focused primarily on individuals' stories.

This begs the question: why does the book about community have the heading of "Shmot," which means names?

The community-oriented book is titled with exactly what it is that represents much of our identities: our names. A community must be comprised of many individuals; an individual, in order to maximize his or her potential, must be part of a community. Communities and individuals have a symbiotic relationship; they need each other to survive and to thrive.

We need an individual identity to establish our priorities and our intentions for our actions; we need a community to support and challenge us. I feel blessed to be part of the NCSY community, in which every individual is valued for who he or she is and what he or she brings to the supportive and powerfully inspiring community.

PostSecret

Recently, I was browsing the Facebook page of "PostSecret" of a specific college. PostSecret is an online community in which anyone can anonymously submit secrets which will then be displayed to the public. I came across this post and it really made me think.


I am culturally Jewish, but not religious at all. I grew up in an area with many “Jews,” but very few that actually practiced Judaism—or at least to a serious extent. Before coming to [college], I have to admit that I had some preconceived prejudices—not about different religions or minorities—but about religious Jews. For whatever reason, I thought they might be weird, and that believing in God or seriously adhering to a religion in this day and age was stupid—and that people who did so might be boring or not fun. However, since I got here, I have met many religious/orthodox Jews, and they are some of the coolest people I have ever met. Contrary to what I had thought, many of them are very similar to me and have become close friends. While being religious might not be right for me, I have gained a totally newfound respect for those who are.



We never know what impact we can have on people by simply being ourselves.

Life Changing Moment

Having a Bar Mitzvah at the Wall in Israel is a life changing event because it helps increase understanding of one's heritage and Judaism. 
I had my Bar Mitzvah at the Wall in Israel, and it changed my life. I was able to have it in Israel, my homeland, and in the most holy place in world. It takes me back to the summer of 2012 on my trip to Israel with NCSY and JSU (two Jewish groups that I belong to). 
The trip was called TJJ (The Jerusalem Journey). This was the best summer of my life and I had lots of friends on my bus and in other programs in Israel too. I was fortunate enough to have my Rabbi, Rabbi Gershie, as the head of Bus 2 . There were nine buses filled with teens from all across the world and my bus had teens from all of the Midwest. While I knew the whole time that the time would come to have by Bar Mitzvah at the Wall, I slowly prepared with Rabbi Gershie for it. The more I prepared, the more nervous I got. The day came and I could not stop thinking about what was to take place in a few hours. My life would change forever!

One hour before my Bar Mitzvah my NCSY adviser, Michael Kahn, joined me from another program and brought two of my good friends with him, Ricardo and Joey. I ran up to them and gave them a hug and said “Thanks so much for coming.” They replied, “We would not miss it for the world.” Then unexpectedly I ran into NCSY’s National President from two years ago, Amanda Esraelilian. This was so much fun to see her because I have not seen her in a year. Unfortunately, she could not make it to my Bar Mitzvah because she was interning with the OU ( Orthodox Union). I also had another special treat. One of the greatest Rabbis that I know, Rabbi Nissel, came to the celebration with me. I knew at this time that soon I would be Bar Mitzvahed and was once again very nervous.

Everyone walked over to the Wall through the Old City. When we approached the Kotel I heard whispering others praying. At that point the only thing running through my head was this is really happening. As we approached the Wall, I eagerly started preparing for the day that changed my life. As I put on my Tefillin, with the help of Joey and Michael, I felt a feeling of belonging and also felt a welcoming as it was an opening to a new journey. The service started. I was clueless when I was going to go up but then I got the cue. I approached the altar and was sweating and nervous. We called my parents so they could hear me recite some of the Torah. This was the time. I grabbed the tzitzis from my side, pulled them up and touched them with my lips and placed them on the Torah. This was the moment that it all came down to. Then, from the place I touched with the tzitzis I recited the Torah after Rabbi Gershie, “Barchu et Hashem hamevorach (Bless G-d who is the Blessed).” When I finished reciting the Torah I pulled my Tallis over my head everyone threw candy. I smiled and I started to dance as I heard some music beginning to play. Then I danced around the Torah with my friends, This was the start of my new journey.

Post by, Lee Goodman

Jewish All Stars

Think being an observant Jews conflicts with your career dreams? 9 times out of 10, think again!

Hear from high up there Jews who've made it happen!

Post, by Sarina Miller

I Am The Flame

I am the flame!

I am the flame which burns in every Jewish heart.

I am the flame which is kindled in the deepest recesses of the heart.

I am the flame which from a match is kindled and becomes a consuming blaze.

I am the flame which though it may flicker will never be extinguished.

I am the flame which throughout the ages has flickered in the wind of oppression.

I am the flame, which flickers despite attempts to extinguish it.

I am the flame which in the Ghetto burned for eight nights.

I am the flame which burned as a symbol of defiance in the face of oppression.

I am the flame, the flame of burning desire.

I am the desire for a world redeemed. 

By, David Selis

Self Realization and introspection

I believe that we are not just the sum of our actions. Rather, we are the summation of our actions and our perspectives, our thoughts and our intentions, our direction and purpose. We are judged by what we do and how we treat people, and with this in mind, we should consider how we treat people. I was always taught before one says something, one should think if it is helpful, true, and kind. These, I think, are principles that we should all try to live by. More than that, because we are not just the sum of our actions, but rather the combination of our actions and thoughts, then our actions should reflect our thoughts. Our actions should be intended for the betterment of self as well as the benefit of those around that person's said self. May we all continue in the pursuit of bettering ourselves and the respect of other people through our actions and thoughts.

Inspirational Poems by David Selis

I am the hope 

(Inspired by Jewish history and HaTikvah)

I am the hope of two thousand years

I am the hope!
I am the hope that carried the Jewish people through troubled times---
through the trauma of the destruction of the temple.

I am the hope--- the hope for a return to our homeland.
I am the hope-- the hope for the continuation of the Jewish people.

I am the hope that was fulfilled with the return from Galut Bavel under Ezra and Nechemia.
I am the hope that sustained our people as roman troops sacked the Holy city!
I am the hope which has sustained our people for two thousand years!

I am the hope which grew stronger as our enemies stood upon us to destroy us.
i am the hope which drove the pioneers to begin reclaiming the land .
I am the hope which has sustained, sustained and will sustain our people!

I am the hope which despite the horrors of the ghetto, did yet live in our hearts.
i am the hope for a better future in which our children will no longer  face persecution.

I am the hope that inspired Jews to fight in the Warsaw ghetto.

I am the hope--- the hope of two thousand years.
I am the hope- the hope for a return to our land.

I am the hope;
the hope which drove the burned remnant of the shoah to flood the gates of the land of our fathers.

I am the hope, the hope which is not lost and will never be lost.

I am the hope; the hope which is passed on to our children as they journey to the land of our fathers.
I am the hope; the hope that Jews and Arabs will one day live in peace.
I am the hope; for a better tomorrow; a tomorrow free of terror, war and violence.

I am the hope; to be a free people in our land!
I am the hope which brings us closer to the days of the Messiah!
I am the hope; the hope for live in a world which will be fully redeemed!

I am the flame

(Inspired by my experiences on NCSY Yarchie Kallah)

I am the flame

I am the flame which burns within each Jewish soul!

        I am the spark which when given fuel and air,

------------------blossoms into a flame which starts a blaze.  

    I am the spark which is lit at Yarchie Kallah.

I am the flame of Torah which consumes everything.---------

I am the inferno which overpowers all that confronts it.-------------------

Jewish Unity for Israel

Over 100 rockets from Gaza have hit Southern Israel in the past 24 hours. Situations like this should remind us that no matter who we are or where we stand, we are all one family!

Our hearts and our prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Israel.

NCSY News - Rabbi Akiva Gutnicki

Hey Everyone, Rabbi Akiva from South Bend here. Just wanted to update you on the latest happenings from NCSY. 

Midwest NCSY convention was awesome! Imagine seeing Jews from all over the Midwest. Now put them on a bus for 10 hours and you start to understand the electricity in the air.
We went to Mall of America, the biggest mall in the US. Afterwards we got into the NCSY spirit with singing and dancing. Then came Shabbos and the fun continued. There was a boys vs girls shout feast. The girls trounced the guys.
The NCSY sessions had an awesome topic that was very real, namely, "Relationships and what makes them work." We defined what real love is. Relationships are much more than just being attracted to one another. There were real issues being discussed from NCSYers. One person talked about overcoming the hurdles that she was facing and really fighting for what she believes in.
After Shabbos we went to an awesome arcade and entertainment place. There were batting cages, bumber cars, and much more. One of the highlights of the Shabbaton was the kumtzits. Ask your NCSYers about it.

Read what our NCSYers said about the convention:
"The trip to Minnesota was life changing. I am so thankful I went. I look forward to future NCSY events." - Megan Widmoyer
"The convention was fun and inspirational." - Adin Sloman
"The convention was phenomenal. The advisers were the best around, each still young yet so mature. Each Rabbi made us feel so comfortable. They were the ones that made the trip so special." - Zachary Widmoyer

At our local chapter we had our annual bonfire event. It was a real blast. We had a huge bonfire thanks to our local expert, Rabbi Lindow. The food was awesome. We had Nachi's legendary eggplant parmesean, which won rave reviews. There was hot chocolate, marshmellows, and lots of other goodies. Other highlights was Rabbi Nebel giving billiard lessons to Megan Widmoyer, our new Vice President. Aaron Widmoyer, our newest NCSYer, enjoyed his first event.

The real highlight was Don Lerman with his saxophone and Zachary Widmoyer with his drums playing Jewish folk music.

Upcoming events include, "Strikes and Spares" (Sunday, Nov 18, 2-4 pm) with unlimited go karts, bowling, and arcades for only $8. What a steal!
We will be having lounge night a week from this Wednesday. (Nov 7th, 6:30-8:30 pm) with pizza.
Mark your calendar for December 7-8 as we will be having a local NCSY chapter convention, stay tuned for more details. It's going to be epic!!
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