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From the desk of NCSY Alumni Director - Rabbi Dave Felsenthal
 I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. I love hearing about all the great experiences our summer program participants are having and I'd like to share one story related to our summer programs that is a great lesson for us all. I can't count how many realatives have called me in a panic that their cousin, niece, nephew etc. is off the path of Judaism in one of many different ways and can I help save the day. We do our best and sometimes can help; but, usually it is too late to make an immediate impact and we just pray that Hashem help them find their way eventually.
When I became a Rabbi, Rabbi Noah Weinberg made us each write a family tree and commit to do our best to reach out to them with the beauties of Judaism. This was an eye opening experience because while we are out there trying to save the world we quite often forget to start at home in our backyard.
This summer... (read what happened)
Have an Awesome Shabbat,
Rabbi Dave Felsenthal
Director Alumni Relations
D'VAR TORAH BY AN ALUMNUS
Shabbos Nachamu - Rabbi Seth Nadel
 Parshas Va’eschanan contains the first paragraph of the Shema. The familiar words read: “And these matters that I command you today shall be upon your heart” (Ibid 6:6). Rashi (ad Loc.), citing the Midrash (Sifrei 33), explains that the word “today” teaches that the Torah should always be viewed as if it is being given right now. The message is to always serve G-d with a freshness and excitement.
The tendency is, all too often, for our performance of mitzvos to become routine. We tend to take things for granted. The Torah, though, promises redemption only if we take the first step: what's the first step.
BORED AT THE BUNGALOW COLONY? NCSY SUMMER PROGRAMS COME TO THE RESCUE
Ahhh, warm summer nights upstate; no noisy traffic, no civilization for miles, just folks alone in nature. One word to describe this experience may be "relaxing," but another word may be "boring." For teenagers, a night sitting in a rocking chair on the porch may not be the ideal activity. Therefore, New York NCSY has taken over with exciting new programming close to a bungalow colony near you! Check it out
Send 18-26 year old Jewish Friends, family, associates on NCSY birthright israel for Free
Picture This: Who are They? 
NCSY Ambassadors and other updates
Want to earn points and prizes for recruiting your friends and peers to get involved in great Jewish programming on campus? Check out the NCSY Ambassadors!
Alumni relations is a brand new department at the OU no longer a part of development. We are starting with collegiates as our first focus. We plan to create a grass roots movement on campus of alumni ambassadors promoting Jewish activity on campus. With 30,000 alumni on campus (8% of the Jewish population) we can make a huge impact - together. Support us and join the effort today!
ALUMNI ANNOUNCEMENTS
Engagements
- Rabbi Norman Schloss (RFR Atlanta) and his wife Lydia on the engagement of their son Zev to Abby Brill, daughter of Yehoshua and Myra Brill
- Michael Bleicher, who was our first IPA fellow, upon his engagement to Yael Butler, the daughter of Rabbi Raphael (former OU Executive Vice President) and Pessy Butler
- Yehuda Turetsky (Kollel) and Ilana Nattel
- Sarah Kayla Brant (New York) and Ilan Herbst
- Shira Becker (Midwest) Yaakov Morel (Canada)
- Devorah Goldberg and Efron Sturmwind (Canada)
- Yaffa Davoodi (West Coast) and Josh Bernstein (West Coast)
- Rebecca Shechter (Central East) and Jonathan Bedder
- Rachel Bellon (West Coast) and Andy Schwartz
- Avi Faska (Kew Garden Hills, New York) & Julie Lindy (New Haven, Connecticut)
- Tifarah Cohen (Monsey, New York) & Moshe Stareshefsky (Passaic, New Jersey)
- Ita Yunger and Eddie Tobis (Canada Region)
Weddings
- Bruria Liberman (Chicago, Illinois) & Baruch Eisner (Brooklyn, New York)
- Chava (Erica) Kelin (San Diego, California) & Adam Simon (June 24) (Los Angeles, California)
- Dani Gross (Teaneck, New Jersey) & Amy Gross (Riverdale, New York)
- Aviva Kravitz (Brooklyn, New York) & Yitz Novak (Los Angeles, California)
- Shoshie Edelstein (Bronx, New York) & Yissie Steinhart (Monsey, New York)
Births
- Rabbi Steve and Rachel Burg upon the birth of a baby boy on Tisha B'Av
- Baby boy to Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Nachimson
- Baby girl Danielle to Natan and Ana Mandelbaum
- Baby boy Dov Gilad, born in Ra'anana to Boaz Berkowitz [har sinai] and Danielle Keats [Etz Chaim] on log b'omer, Grandparents are rivke aqnd jerry berkowitz and the mohel was former Har Sinai director, Rabbi Maury Schwartz
- Rabbi Shmuel Miller (NCSY New England Regional Director) and his wife D’vorah upon the birth of a baby girl, Chavivah
- Allen Fagin (Senior Vice President) and his wife Judith on the birth of a granddaughter, Ariella Rus, to their children Robert and Miriam Fagin
- Dr. David (National Vice President) and Vivian (Board of Director) Luchins upon the birth of a grandson. The proud parents are Dena and Moshe Luchins
- Mitchel Aeder (National Vice President) and his wife Lita upon the birth of a granddaughter to their children Zev and Tali Aeder
Condolences
- Etz Chaim/NJ NCSY Southern District Director Rabbi Jonah Lerner on the loss of his father, Dr. Mel Lerner. Dr. Lerner was himself involved in a volunteer capacity in NCSY activities in NJ, opening his home – and most especially his Succah, to NCSYers and staff over many Shabbosos and Simchas Torahs.
- Izzy and Malka Laks on the loss of Izzy's mother
- Ira Piltz on the loss of his father
- Richie and Helen Stareshefsky on the loss of her mother
Other
- Refuah shlema to Martin Nachimson (Chairman,NCSY Youth Commision) who is recuperating from surgery
Please send us your announcements
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