Shema Yisrael

Another awesome short film by Charlie Harary...

Your Life the Movie

Earlier today, I was pondering what it is exactly that makes a movie intriguing. A few of the options that came to mind: an exciting plot, an interesting and dynamic character, unexpected twists and turns, unrealistic situations. Although I am not much of a movie person, I think that we can glean a message from our own desire to watch a story of a person or people who experience development across time. 

We as human beings are meant to grow and improve. If we simply remain static and fail to make progress in achieving our goals and furthering our plot, how fulfilling will that life be? Sure, we might not all be as interesting as movie characters, but our lives will be far more stimulating if we attempt to infuse the excitement of movies into our own lives by focusing on our own character development.

...See you at the Oscars!

An Embroidered Life

"When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. From the underside, as I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat. She would smile at me, look down and gently say, “My son you go about playing for a while and, when I am finished, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side.”

I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear mother’s voice say, “Son come and sit on my knee.” This I would do, only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.

Then mother would say to me, “My son, from underneath it did look messy ad jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-dawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing.”

Many times through the years I have looked up to Hashem and said, “Father, what are You doing?” He answers, “I am embroidering your life.” I say, “But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can’t they all be bright?”

Hashem then tells me, “My child, you continue to live your life of fulfilling My mitzvot, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the beautiful picture of your life from My side.”"

A Pep Talk from Kid President to You

"We were MADE to be AWESOME."

The Jewish World

I got an e-mail from one of the elders in my family today explaining why, in the upcoming Super Bowl, if we (my siblings and cousins and I) didn't go for the Ravens we were going against the family. Apparently, my Great-Aunt's nephew is a defensive coach for the Ravens (I was going for them anyway)!
I think we can take a few things when thinking about this a bit deeper. First, that you never know when a little digging will turn up some really cool relatives. Second, we should realize and be thankful for the openness of America and how this country allows us to live and prosper in a way that no other country ever has. Finally, that even though the Super Bowl is a huge deal to many, it is just a game (and many people at your party are really just there for the commercials)... So enjoy the game! GO RAVENS!

Going the Extra Mile

In honor of our amazing NCSYers who ran in the Miami marathon with Team Yachad today, here are some stories of incredible individuals who have gone the extra mile to include others. What can you do for our Yachad members? Guaranteed that you will gain more than you give.

Did that inspire you? Want to know more about Connor and Cayden? Here's a link to a slightly longer video with their story:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/brothers-inspire_n_1703034.html

And two short videos of a special Homecoming King and Queen:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/15/kara-marcum_n_2480604.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/tennessee-homecoming-king-nominees-give-crown-teen/story?id=18295338

Choices

Jerry is the manager of a restaurant in America. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. 

When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would always reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!”

Many of the waiters at his restaurant quit their jobs when he changed jobs, so they could follow him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude.

He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was always there, telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, “I don’t get it! No one can be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?”

Jerry replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, I have two choices today. I can choose to be in a good mood or I can choose to be in a bad mood. I always choose to be in a good mood.

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I always choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I always choose the positive side of life.”

“But it’s not always easy,” I protested. “Yes it is,” Jerry said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. It’s your choice how you live your life.”

Several years later, I heard that Jerry accidentally did something you are never supposed to do in the restaurant business: he left the back door of his restaurant open one morning and was robbed by three armed men.

While trying to open the safe, his hand shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robber panicked and shot him.

Luckily Jerry was found and quickly rushed to the hospital. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of bullets still in his body. I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how we was, he replied, “If I were any better, I would be twins. Want to see my scars?” I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door,” Jerry replied. “Then, after they shot me, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live.”

“Weren’t you scared?” I asked. “Well, there was a big nurse shouting questions at me,” said Jerry. “She asked if I was allergic to anything. ‘Yes’ I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled ‘Bullets!’ Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I am choosing to live. Please operate on me as if I am alive, not dead’.”

Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day you have the choice to either enjoy your life or to hate it. The only thing that is truly yours - that no one can control or take from you is your attitude, so if you can take care of that, everything else in life becomes much easier.

Source: unknown

Embracing Our Struggle

For many of us we have recently begun or will soon begin the second half of our school year. As the saying of our Sages goes, 'All beginnings are difficult' (Mechilta, Rashi on next week's Parsha, 19:5). The same is true in our spiritual growth. This week's parsha teaches us exactly that message, but with an added benefit. 

In what seems to be a peculiar event, Bnei Yisrael, after traveling away from the Red Sea, find themselves without water for three days. Finally, they find water in the city of Mara but it is too bitter to drink. After Moshe Rabbeinu davens to Hashem, Hashem throws a tree into the water and the water suddenly becomes sweet. What????

The Gemara in Bava Kama (84a) tells us that this "water" represents Torah. The Kli Yakar, developing this point, explains the analogy that the Torah is sometimes bitter, but we must know that it becomes sweet. 

In the beginning our spiritual growth, the task of Judaism seems awfully difficult, a bitter start. The more we do, however, the easier it becomes. Unlike, perhaps, other disciplines, the Torah path will lead us to fulfillment and purpose in our lives, a sweet ending. Let us not be discouraged by the struggle to attain our growth in Judaism, for that very bitterness is what leads to its sweetness. Have a great Shabbos.

Beshalach: Bitachon

By Devorah Goldson       

        In this week’s parsha, Beshalach, we read about how the
Jews left Egypt, crossed the Yam Suf, sang Az Yashir, and everything
that happened. The very first pasuk of the Parsha, tells us: “Now when
Paraoh had let the people go, G-d did not lead them by way of the land
of the Plishtim, because it was near- and G-d said: The people might
reconsider when they see war before them, and turn back to Mitzrayim.”
Hashem was so scared that the Jews would turn back; He took them on
the route which led them through the Yam Suf, a route that was much
longer than the normal way. The Torah also tells us that Bnei Yisroel
was fully armed when they left Egypt, yet they were still afraid. Both
of these psukim cause many commentators to question the phrases.

            Rashi gives an explanation, for why Hashem took them on
the longer way. He says that the Jews would leave Egypt, and become
afraid in the desert. They would want to turn back to Egypt, and if
Hashem had taken them on the straight path, it would’ve allowed for a
much easier return to Mitzrayim. That is one reason why Hashem took
them out on a longer path. By taking us out on the longer path, Hashem
made sure that the Jews wouldn’t turn around and go backwards, and
that way they would be able to get the Torah at Har Sinai, and then
enter the land of Israel.

            But there is still the question, of why would they be
afraid of war? If they had trust in G-d, who had literally just taken
them out of Egypt, and more importantly, if they were armed with
weapons- than what reason did they have for being afraid? Rav Hirsch
says that Bnei Yisroel weren’t lacking in courage physically, but they
were lacking in courage in their hearts. Most importantly, they lacked
trust in Hashem. The quality which gives a person the ability and
courage, no matter what task he is faced with, comes from having
bitachon in Hashem. That is what the Jews lacked when they left Egypt,
and that is why they were afraid. If they had had Bitachon, they
would’ve seen that Hashem was really taking care of them, and they had
no real need to be scared.

            Sometimes we don’t see what Hashem is doing, or why He
might be doing something. We might think that we know better than Him,
but really we don’t. Hashem takes us through life, sometimes in ways
that may seem unnecessary. We might not see the reason we have to go
through something, but in the end we realize that it was all for the
best. We have to have trust in Hashem, have bitachon, that Hashem will
take care of us, and faith that he will help us through the rough
times. When Hashem took the Jews out of Egypt, He took them on a path
that would make it harder for them to go back to a horrible place.
When we are faced with a challenge, and might want to turn back- we
should try and remember that really, there ultimately is a plan for
us. We might not see it at the time, but that’s the whole point of
life! G-d gives us people to help us through those challenges, and to
prevent us from going backwards, but we must do our part as well, and
have bitachon, and have the strength to keep moving on, to a place
that ultimately will be the best for us.

Down at Half Time

"'I am a rabid football fan, and my team is the New York Jets. I will never skip watching a game. One time I had to leave town for the weekend, and I asked a friend of mine to record the football game on her video.
'When I returned, my friend gave me the video cassette, and said, 'Oh, by the way, the Jets won.'
'I began watching the game, and the Jets were falling far behind. By half time, they were trailing by 20 points. At other times, I would have been pacing the floor, wringing my hands, and possibly raiding the refrigerator. However, I was perfectly calm, because I knew that my team was going to win, hence there was no need for me to worry.
'Ever since I turned my life over to Gd, I know that it is going to turn out good. There may be some hitches on the way, but I know that Gd will not fail me.
'Sometimes I feel like I am trailing by 20 points at half time, but since I know that the end will be good and that I will overcome and succeed, nothing ever upsets me as it did before.'
If our faith is strong enough, we can be winners, and even if we might be trailing at some point, we should approach the future with confidence."
-It's Not As Tough As You Think: How to Smooth Out Life's Bumps, by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD

Each and every one of us has Gd on our personal (or communal, depending on how you want to look at it) team. Regardless of how hard our situation is, how much sweat is rolling down our faces, or how much we may want to call it quits on whatever the task may be, we can be sure of one thing: at the end of the day, we will win the game. Gd will always be on our team.

Smiling

I've found that when in the work place, if you great someone with courtesy and with a smile, they are much more likely to respond in kind and be willing to help you than if you just say it straight out. This may be something for each of us to work on - smiling in the presence of others and having polite conversations. You never know when something might come through for you in a very positive way!

Title??

Let us imagine for a moment that we were to write a book. In this book we describe the unbelievable miracles and circumstances of the Jews in Egypt. We have to decide what all-encompassing element of this story would make the best title for our book. 

One person may propose "The Splitting of the Sea". Another might say "Ten Plagues" or "Killing the First Born". A title suggestion like "Pass Over" would pale in comparison. Why is this seemingly insignificant aspect of a much greater miracle focused on as the title for all the happenings in Egypt?! It is in no way an all-encompassing part of what Hashem did for the Jewish people!

The answer not only solves our problem but shows us a fundamental lesson of Judaism. Of all the actions Hashem did in Egypt, the passing over is exceptional in that it was the only one predicated by an action of Bnei Yisrael. Only once they found a lamb, slaughtered and smeared its blood, would Hashem pass over them. 

Unlike other religions, the focus of our mission is not what Hashem does for us, it is what we do for Him. Consequentially, He will repay our devotion with the ultimate and eternal of all gifts. 

Want to learn more about Judaism??

Interested in learning more about Judaism and want to take the next step in Torah learning and observance?

Then you should definitely check out http://www.jewishpathways.com/.

It has self-paced courses on a variety of different topics including: Jewish FAQs, Jewish history, women in the Bible, laws of blessings, laws of daily living, laws of Shabbat, Chumash, and more!

Each course normally costs $18, but for a limited time it is free!
Seriously, check it out!
http://www.jewishpathways.com/

LIFE

Life takes work, but it is the work that keeps us alive and growing.

Post by, Elisheva Nathan

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

Challenges Make Us Taller

Hashem created me and put me into a life. That life was carefully planned to allow me to reach my potential. All the props on the stage of my life have been set. I didn't choose my level of intelligence. I wasn't asked to pick the family I would be born into, nor the generation in which I would live. These were all hand-picked by my Creator to give me the perfect challenge to allow me to reach the greatness that I am able to achieve. (Rabbi Ben Zion Shafier-The Shmuz)

Post by, Shelley Israel

To be Free...

The beginning of this week's Parsha tells us something that would seem to contradict what we learned last week. At the end of Shemos, we were told that B'nei Yisrael fully believed in Moshe Rabbeinu and his guarantee to take them out of Mitzrayim (Shemos 4:31). In a surprising statement, the pasuk tells us this week that "they did not listen to Moshe due to their shortness of breath and their hard work" (6:9) when he spoke to them about being saved.

What happened between these two events that would illicit the opposite response from B'nei Yisrael?

The Netziv (Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin) points out that what Moshe said each time was different. As opposed to last week, where Moshe merely assured them their freedom from slavery, this week he added one more thing for B'nei Yisrael. Not only will they be taken out (v'hotzeiti), saved (v'hitzalti) and redeemed (v'ga'alti), they were also to be taken as Hashem's nation (v'lakachti). Here lies the difference. 

It is one thing to be taken out of a bad situation and allowed to be free from that. B'nei Yisrael were reluctant, however, to commit themselves to something else, to Hashem and His Torah. It is easy to take freedom by means of no responsibility, but one may not actually be free until he fulfills his or her role in this world. 

"There is no free man except he who toils in Torah" (Avos 6:2)

Your Grades Don't Define You

At the end of a semester, it's important to remember:

Reflections from Conclave

When it comes to the NCSY family, and don’t get me wrong, we really are a family, I am relatively new. As an advisor, our job is to inspire you guys and play an active role in your growth as individuals.

Inspire. What an interesting word. I knew it would play a large role in this past weekend when I got to Conclave and it was written across the front of the sweatshirt. As an advisor, I wanted to be able to inspire you, the NCSYers, through my actions. My initial impression of who the “inspire” was directed to could not have been more wrong.

Based on my initial impressions from Fall convention, I thought that I knew what to expect at Conclave; then I arrived. From the first moment of “bingo” until the closing program, I was thoroughly engaged, and that was largely because of you, the NCSYers.

The moment that really stands out in my mind though was the kumzitz Sunday night. It was at this point that I really understood what the “inspire” was referring to. Listening to each of you talk and share yourselves with those sitting in the circle as Conclave “ebbed” away was inspiring to every single person sitting there. I realized that as much as I came to inspire each and every one of you, I think that all of YOU inspire ME to be a better person and push myself all that much more.

When things are easily attainable to someone, that person doesn’t necessarily appreciate them until they no longer have them or at least hear about situations and people that do not have the same circumstances and blessings. Listening to each of you share your struggles really gives perspective and inspiration to each and every person that may not have originally appreciated what they had, or people that are struggling with their own issues and just needed that little push. For this, I want to thank everyone that came to Conclave.

I can only hope that as an advisor I can inspire you in much the same way. I, and I believe I speak for all the advisors, am always willing to talk and listen to anything you might say. Thank you all for all your inspiration.

Sincerely,

Nachum Matten, Advisor

Shabbat Candles

Before NCSY I was spiritually and religiously misguided, but I set a path of discovering Judaism at my own pace. I opened my heart to Hashem and began saying the Modi Ani every morning and the S’hma every night. I felt myself at a roadblock, and I didn’t know what else to do; yet, I was eager to find a new step. On Conclave I solidified my next leg of my Jewish journey. It all started with my quest to have just one question answered. I wanted to find out what the significance of lighting Shabbat candles is. I wasn’t satisfied to get one answer: I wanted all possible answers out there in order to grasp my own meaning. I talked to Rabbis, advisors and peers on the Shabbaton and got the following answers:

1.The candles give off heat and light which can be used at the Friday Shabbat dinner when electricity can’t be used.
2. Lighting the candle is a choice we can use as power to get rid of evil. It is a nondestructive way of building that reminds us we are fixing Chaya’s destruction in the Garden of Eden. This light symbolizes good actions that build up the world with Tikun Olam. 
3.Women set the mood in the home. Light symbolizes peace, and when women light the candles it sets a peaceful tone for the day of rest. 
4.The oil and the candles represent potential, and when the candle is lit, one is creating something. A woman is naturally a creator biologically, so she gets to light the candle on Shabbat.
5.Lighting the candle on Shabbat separates Shabbat from the rest of the week because we can’t use electricity of light fire on Shabbat. Lighting the candle represents beginning the Sabbath, and putting out the candle on Havdala ends Shabbat.

These answers got me thinking and I found my own meaning for lighting Shabbat Candles. We all have our own flame of Hashem within us, and lighting the Shabbat candles remind me to keep the spark of Judaism alive that encompasses the significant meanings I listed above. 

This quest opened up many discussions about what I can do to further my progress on my journey. I am inspired to keep my own flame of Hashem alive within me just like a Shabbat Candle. It is my job to keep this spark of inspiration alive and add more goals to become a better person and a better Jew. On Conclave I was inspired by the light of Shabbos, and I discovered my new goal to light my own Shabbat candles.

Post by, Emma Lazar

Contest Submission #15

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.

An Eye-Opening Experience

During the past NCSY Shabbaton I really got a first-hand opportunity to ingest all that NCSY has to offer. I usually had gone to multiple conventions in the past with many of my friends. This time I had the opportunity to experience something through my own eyes. I had time to contemplate many things. When I first arrived I was nervous, scared in a sense, for I did not really know many people. As Shabbat was coming up I felt the vibe, I truly felt that G-d was there watching and trying to comfort me. During the first session on Friday night we discussed happiness and the true meaning of happiness. One can find happiness within. Many people think happiness is having the latest gadgets, it really isn't. Some may even say that your family and friends are what make you happy; I can tell you that I was completely alone without my friends or family during the Shabbaton, I still was able to find happiness. 

I now have a completely different point of view towards life and Judaism. As I was talking to someone over Shabbat dinner I heard his story about how he is Jewish but never really follows up on all of the customs. I feel the same way. When I met all the happy, loving, caring Jewish teens all around me, I saw that you can be happy and joyful no matter what circumstances you are in. Before this weekend I could’ve cared less for all the 613 laws and all the other codes and laws, it was simply too much work. I can proudly say now that I really do. Starting the school year I had went to a modern orthodox school in Dallas; I could feel that they were trying to encourage Judaism but they do not succeed as much as NCSY. At Conclave I felt uplifted and inspired, I care more about others around me. 

I know that for once I will be able to completely change my views in life. I had tried numerous times to do find this inspiration before, I had no luck. At first I was very ambivalent about going to Conclave, but the night before I gave in and registered. In no way do I regret going. I felt something that I was always searching for.
The “inspired” sweatshirts really do reflect how I feel. I am now on the quest on finding my true self and abiding by the Jewish codes and moral laws. I feel in my neshama that this is the correct path for me. I couldn’t think of any other way to thank NCSY for all they have done for me. 

-Benji Snow

Contest Submission #12

Not Just A Religion, But Also An Identity

I went to Jr. NCSY when I was in a Jewish day school. I always thought that it was just a fun weekend. This year I moved to a public school and discovered that Judaism isn't only my religion, but my identity. When I went to Conclave I realized that NCSY is my mechanism for shaping my Judaism. I committed to learning with an adviser, and strongly suggest anyone else reading this blog to also join at
https://ou.wufoo.com/forms/lol-latte-on-line/

Post by, Toviya

Contest Submission # 14

Inspire the Fire

Sometimes, inspiration takes the form of an amazing action that inspires people to work harder toward their goals. NCSY sure brings about this kind of inspiration. At Conclave, we were taught the true meaning of happiness: the emotion one feels when one has taken steps against resistance to reach a good final destination.

Other times, NCSY inspires in a different kind of way, and every NCSYer understands this form: spiritual inspiration. It’s that information we take away from dvar Torahs and sessions that sticks with us for weeks or months. It’s that tone of voice we hear in everyone’s voices at the Kumzitz. It’s that feeling we all get at Havdallah when the only sound we hear is hundreds of voices singing Jewish zmirot with unbelievable ruach, spirit, and the only light sources in the room are the zmirot PowerPoint and the Havdallah candles.

The spiritual energy we feel at an NCSY convention is like the Havdallah flame: If someone who had never seen the flame before asked me to describe it, I would only be able to describe so much—maybe how it looks, maybe the different forms of energy it takes—I would not be able to describe the way it makes me feel. Similarly, if someone asked me to describe what spirituality is, I would need to grapple with words to describe the indescribable. The flame can pass on from one candle to another without losing substance. It spreads like something infinite, much like the spiritual inspiration we feel at Conclave every year. The only way for a flame to burn out is if its source of wax stops giving. 

That is where spirituality differs from a flame: Spirituality comes from an infinite source, namely G-d. Each NCSYer has a little bit of G-d in them, so we always have the source with which to nurture our spiritual flames. NCSY is a great place to re-spark them, but once we’ve done so and we’ve left the doors of each convention, we can all continue to nurture the warm flame inside our neshamot.

Like the flame has so much potential to grow and spread, all NCSYers have the potential to learn and teach about Judaism with our spiritual intuition. We have the potential to achieve great goals and do great things. We have the ability to keep our spiritual flames going every day, long after we’ve rekindled them at NCSY.

NCSY is where it beings, not where it ends.

I’m still in withdrawal from Conclave 2012. When I’m done with that, though, I’m not going to let my flame die out. I’m going to do Torah-by-phone learning with my regional advisers and I’m going to let the messages from NCSY sessions stick with me. I’m going to look forward to the next convention and try to keep in touch with all the NCSYers who can spiritually inspire others. Like all other NCSYers, I have the potential to spiritually inspire people.

If a Havdallah flame can be passed on for a while without losing any fire, my inspiring, little piece of G-d can, too.

Post by, Sarah Otis

I Love NCSY!

The real world is tough. There are decisions to be made and there are opportunities to take. I can with out doubt say that my decision to go on Conclave was one opportunity that I will never regret. Life is easy at Conclave. It came natural to me. And then I realized, maybe I did have a great time at Conclave, but is it the event, or is it the people? Well, for me, I can honestly say that it was the people. My new friends, the advisors, and the whole staff, are all attributed to me and my brother having a great time on Conclave. The learning, the singing, the dancing. Being in NCSY on Conclave was incredible. I plan to start learning with advisors and study more. I can honestly say that my experience on Conclave has changed my perspective and out look on the way I make decisions in my everyday life for the better. I love NCSY!!!

Post by, Paul Kodner

Contest Submission #13

God Doesn't Do 2nd Best

Click here to watch this awesome video!!

Acting in the Present

Beginning the next chapter in our history, Moshe Rabbeinu, our teacher, is born in this week's Parsha. Our Rabbi's tell us that in truth, Moshe had many names, yet we choose to call him Moshe, the name given to him by an Egyptian princess. Why? What is special about the name Moshe?

Many explanations are given to this question, but I'd like to focus on one which is important for us as midwest NCSY right now. 

The daughter of Par'oh called him Moshe because "min hamayim m'shisihu", he was taken from the water. It would seem, however, that she meant to call him moshoi, "taken"- moshe means "takes", in the present tense!

The Sforno explains that the message of Moshe Rabbeinu is not that he was taken, that something significant happened in his past. Rather it is that he is doing something now. He went from being taken to taking Bnei Yisrael out, in the present.

In life we are blessed with many great experiences. Our job is not to define ourselves by what happened in the past. It is to take what we've done and do something with it in the present. Specifically for Midwest NCSY, our Conclave Winter Regional was an unbelievably inspirational weekend. The question is: What are you doing about it now??? 

Have a great Shabbos

Taking the Time to Breathe

In this week's parsha, Parshat Shemot, Jewish slavery in Egypt begins. Strangely enough, as the work load increases there's no mention of the Jews complaining under the hard labor or crying out to Hashem. That is... until the day of the King of Egypt's death. Well, doesn't that seem like a strange time to cry? If anything, wouldn't they be excited by the death of the very king who was enslaving them? Now that he's dead, they can have hope that a new king might lift the strict work regimen and bring new policies!
Some commentaries explain the sudden Jewish cries by saying exactly that -- that it was after the death of the old king, and thus at the start of the new king's reign that they started crying. They were crying because it turned out that the new king was just as harsh as the old one. Before the death of the old king, the Jews looked forward to a light at the end of the tunnel, but now that the old one died and the new one was just as bad, all hope was lost. Time to turn to Hashem.
But I actually want to focus on a different approach -- that of the Netziv (Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin in the mid 1800's).
He strengthen's our original question by saying that the Jewish people especially shouldn't have been crying on the day of the king's death. This is because all of Egypt was mourning his death, and it was a day off for the entire country. In other words, the Jews wouldn't have been working on that day! So why in the world is their one day off from work the day when they suddenly started crying?!
The Netziv explains the situation with a profound idea.
You know that feeling of being so incredibly busy that you have no time to think, and then finally Shabbos arrives, you get to put your life on hold, and you can finally give yourself a chance to breathe?
Well that's essentially what happened to the Jews. They were worked so hard while the old Pharaoh gradually brought them into slavery, that they never had a real opportunity to pause and think about the seriousness of the situation they were in. It was only on the day that the Pharaoh died, when they weren't working, that they had time to reflect on their awful situation, recognize it's gravity, and call out to Hashem for help.
Let's reflect this story back to us.
We spend our whole lives running and running and running in circles with all the things we have to get done, but do we ever give ourselves a moment to breathe? To think? To add meaning to our day? To thank God for the gifts He's given us? We're so busy with the tasks that fill up our daily routine that we don't get to reflect on (hopefully) the AWESOMENESS of our lives!
What if the busy-ness of life is stopping us from doing something as crucial for our well-being as asking for Hashem's help was for the Jews enslaved in Egypt?
Before we get lost in our school work once again, let's finish up our winter vacations by taking a step out of our routine. Close your eyes, reflect on the greatness of life, and breathe!

Dvar Torah for Shabbos

Hi All,



The Chofetz Chayim has a beautiful and empowering insight into what appears to be a rather minor comment in this week’s Parsha.
In the verse (3:5), HaShem’s commands Moshe to remove his shoes because of the holiness of the ground upon which he stands. Simple enough. The Chofetz Chayim, however, sees a deeper message in these words. To wit: Whenever a person is ready to fulfill his/her life’s mission; wherever a person “stands” in this journey towards that realization, that place is holy and sacred.
This is one an astounding idea. Holiness and our closeness to Gd becomes a function of our courage and strength to move forward and accomplish that which we know we must.
One caveat, though. “Remove your shoes.” Or put differently in “Mama lashon,” get rid of the garbage. Delete the messes. Repair the mistakes. Banish the sins that get us into so much trouble.
Touch your “four cubits” and feel the holiness of the ground beneath. It’s your holiness. Experience its creative powers and feel the breathe of the Shechina on your face.

Good Shabbos

The 30 Day Challenge

AAAHHH!!! Conclave's over?! Now what?!

How about this?

Do something small... for just 30 days. You'll be surprised to see it's all you need to go great places.

Here's a 3-minute video of a guy who knows how it's done.

"The next 30 days are going to pass whether you like it or not, so why not think about something you have always wanted to try and give it a shot for the next 30 days?” (Matt Cutts)

Baby Steps for Growth

You know that feeling you get when your status or profile picture gets a bunch of likes and you feel good? 

As Rabbi Polstein told us on shabbos, every NCSYer can feel the squeeze. This weekend, I felt that “squeeze” more than anything. However, as nice as that was, I really saw so many other NCSYers receive this “squeeze” as well, in many inspiring and incredible ways. 

This year I wanted to start NCSY in a new manner. I truly hoped that by now I would be content with certain decisions I wanted to make, but there is still one struggle I find myself continuously going back and forth with. Most of this is because I didn't have the confidence.

I didn't know why I, personally, was the only one in my school to dress a certain way within my school. Of course, I tried. However, getting my outer exterior beaten down by so many people in one day was something that wasn't fun for me. 

But, I didn’t give up. 

I decided I would take it slow, babysteps, you know? Make it a little easier on myself. Though, through the passing time, I found myself in a stand-still. I wasn’t making any progress, and this killed me.

After kumzitz, two really special people spoke up about their personal experiences. How they managed and changed their lives through modesty...at a public school. 

After the second girl spoke, my mind began whirling with the struggle of knowing who I want to be, while not being sure how I could actually become that person.

Being so overwhelmed, I left the room and went outside searching for one of my fellow advisor role-models. In actuality, they found me. I told them how upset I was for not being the role model I wanted to be. How in ways, I felt inconsistent with my actions and how I wanted to change. I didn’t understand why I had to struggle so much and why that inner inspiration wouldn’t just come to me.

That advisor reassured me that struggle is not a problem, in ways, my struggling can help inspire others.  I guess as we conversed, I found that little bit of inspiration, that push that I needed to get me going again. 

If those two girls could do it, why can’t I? They were so inspiring. 

What I’ve learned and want to promote most from this Conclave is that patience is virtue. Sometimes, if you try so hard for something, and it never comes, you’ll start to neglect it. However, with some patience and positivity it may just come to you a with a little more ease. 

This NCSY was probably the most inspiring, heart breaking, and educational convention I have ever attended.  I, and all of NCSY, has truly been Inspired. 

Contest Submission #11

Reaching Goals..It's a Journey

Conclave of 2012 was by far one of the most memorable memories with NCSY. Conclave has always been special to me, since it is the only convention I have attended every year so far. Last year's conclave I received the Lev Tahor Citation, and lately, I've been striving for a bit more. I have grown a noticeable amount since the year has started up again and I set a new goal: to receive Havdallah dedication. I knew it wouldn't happen right away because that is the beauty of making goals; the journey to reaching them. However, only about a month later did this award come my way and I was beyond thrilled that I received this recognition. It makes me feel like I have been changing more lives than just my own. This conclave along with every other NCSY convention has opened my eyes to opportunities, challenges, and ways to grow and strive to be who I want to be. I have been making changes to my daily life ever since TJJ 2011. Giving a session about joy and happiness at conclave last weekend is one way to show that. Normally, I would NEVER have had the courage to do it! But I powered through it and through all the good and bad I have been through on this adventure, I am so very proud of myself and I hope I continue to make others proud as well.

Post by, Shaina Stasi

Contest Submission #10

NCSY Family

When I came to conclave, I had no clue what I was getting in to. But after everyone welcomed me in with open arms, I can't thank everyone enough. NCSY has not only given me a new way to connect to judaism, NCSY has given me a new home and a new family. Thank you

Post by, Jordan Kodner

Contest Submission #9

Tonight I Met Up With An Old Friend

Someone who I hadn’t spoken to in a few months. We did not stop communication due to any issues or faults; it was simply just because our lives had gone separate ways. She and I are very similar in many ways, one of which we both have old souls. 

I had discussed with her much of what has happened to me in the past few months. As I spoke about it more, and heard the words flow out my mouth so effortlessly, I realized something; once a person stops doing what’s easy, they will allow inspiration in. This happened to me for several reasons. I had discussed at Kumzits a little of what I had changed in my life and gave one reason why I had changed. I shared how I changed the way I dressed, and explained that I did this because I wanted to be a good role model for my junior NCSYers. I have more than just one reason, and more than just one change I have made in my life this year. 

This I did not speak about at Kumzits. When I spoke, I did mention that if I could just inspire one person, which would be enough for me, still applies now. I haven’t just changed the way I dress, but I’ve changed the way I eat, treat my body, and others around me. 

After speaking with my friend tonight I realized that the best things in life are the ones that are the hardest to do. Doing what your body wants just cause it’s easier, is what I had always done. I have not respected myself in the past, yet I still expected respect back from others. 

I see now that life is all about perception. You can’t expect others to respect you when you don’t respect yourself. I decided that from where I stood in these moments, my perception was wrong. In the past, I had lost my connection with Gd. I came to a point where I didn’t believe in a Gd. This shames me now, even just to think about.  How could I live life with such ignorance? Well, I did.

After being at the juniors’ first convention this year, as an advisor, something struck the inside of my soul.  I had to dress my part as an “advisor”, which meant I had to dress with modesty. At that convention I had a few struggles with some of the juniors, but I realized that they look up to me, even if it’s just for advice and guidance. They look up to me, because I show them they can. 

Life’s all about perception and the way you present yourself to others. 

As I sat there one night at the convention broken down, crying, and simply myself, I felt reconnected. I looked toward something myself for guidance, and that was Gd. After that moment, sitting alone, at my lowest, stripped of all my impurities, I said I needed to change. 

This I have never discussed with anyone, and I did not want to get emotional in front of an audience at Kumzits, so I gave a simpler version of why I changed. In Judaism, if you’re not growing, you’re falling behind. And in my eyes, if you’re not taking something out of a bad experience, you’re leaving something behind. Life’s not about using free will easily. You’re supposed to do what’s hard to do. 

I got Havdallah dedicated to me this past weekend at Conclave, and it was because I did what was hard for me. I changed myself, because I left out taking the easy steps. No one will be able to feel the emotions I had felt these past few months, but just hear me out. 

Life is more than doing what you want. Happiness comes when you do what’s hard. You won’t accomplish this until you experience it the hard way. It’s not easy to do good things and find happiness. But no one ever said it’s easy.

-Natasha Raizel Zucker

Contest Submission #8