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NCSY Alumni Director - Rabbi Dave Felsenthal
In NCSY we have always put Jerusalem in a special place within our hearts. Every region sings “V’lirushalayim Ircho” and “Im Eskacheich Yerushalayim” so often that it is the beat to which our lives march. I’ve always been proud (and you should to) that more NCSY’ers live in Israel than from any other International youth group. However, outside of the NCSY world we often keep these heart felt feelings hidden. We tell ourselves that we live outside of Israel (I assume those of you in Israel don’t have this issue) and it would be wrong to our current countries of choice to publically promote Yerushalayim as the true home of our hearts. We tell ourselves who are we to interfere in Israeli politics when we don’t live there. Well, we are as wrong as we could ever be....
The time has come to take the feelings in our hearts and wear them proudly and loudly on the outside! You can argue if it was right or wrong to speak out about the various tragedies in Israel in the past but we must draw a line in the sand and say no farther. Please go to http://www.ou.org/public_affairs/jerusalem and get involved, get your families involved, get your communities involved, get all your neighbors and friends involved and don’t be wishy washy about it. Be Proud. Be Loud. Jerusalem is our home. If we don’t defend her now, we may not get another chance in our lifetimes. This is a cause for all of our brothers and sisters regardless of religious background. Let’s stand together in unity and celebrate the Joy of Jerusalem that we have before it turns into a tragedy that unites us when it’s too late. As the Etz Chayam Regional song quotes from the Torah "Me LaShem Elay..." "Ad Beas Ha Go-el"
Make it a Shabbat in Yerushalaim wherever you are this Shabbas (To make a Yerushalayim Shabbat),
Rabbi Dave Felsenthal
Director Alumni Relations
D'VAR TORAH BY AN ALUMNUS
Parshat Vayeitze - Dr. David Luchins (who plans to be an NCSY Alum when/if he grows up)
In this week’s Parsha, the Matriarch Leah names her fourth son Yehuda because “this time let me praise HaShem.” The Talmud tells us (Brachot 7b) “Rav Yochanan said in the name of R. Shimon ben Yochai from the day that the Lord created His world no individual thanked HaShem until Leah did so'.”
The Medrash adds “And we're called “Yehudim” because Leah named her son Yehuda.”
These enigmatic Rabbinic statements suggest a number of questions: read more
Certainly those of us who benefited from involvement in NCSY during our high school years should be makir tov to this wonderful organization. It is for this very reason that our Ben Zakkai Honor Society hosts an annual scholarship Dinner to help NCSYers participate in the very programs that once inspired us.
For information on this year’s Dinner please contact malkal@ou.org or me at drluchins@aol.com
NCSY Produces Video Tool on Jerusalem
 Eliezer Jones of West Coast NCSY and Rabbi Dovi Klein of Canada NCSY have made an impactful short video to stimulate thought and conversation about Jerusalem. Make sure you click on the following link to view it Jerusalem Video and send it to everyone you can!
Missing Jewish Teen
An Alumnus writes: I have a friend in Richmond, Va. that ran away last week. I have been asked to get this email out to as many people as possible. Her name is Shana Colby and she's 16 years old, blonde, and blue eyed. There are a lot of theories that she may have gone to New York and the hope is that especially with the everyone-knows-everyone factor in the Jewish world that someone will know someone who has information.
We think she may be in danger and whatever anyone can do to help the situation would be appreciated. So if you guys could forward this email to as many people as you think would help that would be great (especially those of you in the metro-politan day schools).
Please guys. I know this girl personally and I know her mother. Who knows what forwarding one email or telling one friend can do? The Information
Picture This:Run For Harold
RUN FOR HAROLD, in honor of Dr. Harold Galena Z"L The Run for Harold is in memory of Dr. Harold Galena (father of NCSY alumni Seth and Isaac Galena) known as the "DOC ON THE RUN" to his patients, was a health enthusiast, competitive marathoner and hardcore vegatarian.
Dr. Galena was tragically hit and killed by a reckless car in 2003. Every year since his family, friends, patients and anyone who loves just being healthy have honored his life with a glorious run through Central Park, in New York City.
This year we are joining up with 6,000 other runners in Central Park's RACE TO DELIVER raising funds for soup kitchens in NYC on November 18th.
Let us know if you can join our awesome squad! So we can bring you a great tshirt.
If you'd like to sign up for our official NYRR team you can click here: www.racetodeliver.org/2007/runforharold
NCSY and Alumni In The News
* "My Summer To Give" Fresh Ink Section of The Jewish Week http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c35_a643/Fresh_Ink_for_Teens.html
* NCSY Summer Programs is pleased to announce that registration for Summer 2008 is officially open!
Check out our new programs, NCSY Safari & NCSY JOLT Central Europe.*
Special for Junior NCSYers, we present Camp Nageela Midwest and Machane Dror in Israel.
After an unprecedented sold out Summer 2007, we recommend you register as soon as possible!
Discounts: Register before December 31 with the coupon code of “early-bird” and receive $150 off the total cost of the program.
If you previously attended an NCSY Summer Program, register before November 26 with the coupon code of “returnee”, and we will deduct an additional $100 off the total cost of the program.
For more information, please email or call 1-888-Tour-4-You.
* Rabbi Dave on Radio WNWR with Alumnus Avi Strimber.
Go to wnwr.com and look for "Keep an Eye on the Bagel" to hear
ALUMNI ANNOUNCEMENTS
Engagements
- Josh Whisler (Midwest Region) to Sharona Getz
- Eli Aroesty-Cohen (Newton ,MA) & Rena Luger (West Hartford,CT)
- Vivi Alter (Lawrence ,NY) and Mo Mutterperl (Brooklyn,NY)
- Rebecca Salesky (New Jersey) to a lucky choson
Weddings
- Elisheva Gejerman ( Passaic ,NJ - Chaim and Shany's kid ) and Pinny Kohen
Births
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Dennis Eisenberg (OU Board of Directors) and his wife Terry on the birth of a second grandson to their daughter and son-in-law, Aviva and Donny Baitner
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Judi (Goodman) and Seth Dimbert announce the birth of baby boy, Eliezer Simcha
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Birth of a girl (Aliza Tova) to Boruch and Ilanit (West coast) (Newton) Hersh
Condolences
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Dawn Posner Goldstein of Far Rockaway (formerly of Memphis) on the loss of her brother Steven Posner of Seattle
- Becca and Harris Bram on the loss of their mother
- Joanie (Huth) Harris (Long Island NCSY) on the loss of her parents, Dan and Rita Huth a"h.
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Yaakov (Jason) Meyers - regional president of Seaboard 1972-3 on the loss of his father, Macy Meyers. He and his family live in Har Nof
Other
Please send us your announcements
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