Twenty-two Atlanta JSU club presidents and vice-presidents, representing the city's 13 JSU public school clubs, attended the JSU Teen Leadership Summit hosted at the NCSY Teen Center. Led by Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, teen leaders used the summit to discuss the roles and challenges of club presidents, explore best practices for managing clubs, and present their most successful club meetings. The summit was concluded with a forum for teen leaders to network and collaborate with each other on inter-club activities and major city-wide events.
One of the highlights of the year, the Fourth Annual NCSY & JSU Festival of Lights Ball, saw over 130 teens representing 21 high schools in the Greater Atlanta area pack the NCSY Community Teen Center to celebrate Chanukah. This "black and white" party included an organic sushi bar manned by a professional sushi chef, an array of hot hors d'oeuvres, flowing chocolate fountains with skewers of fresh fruit for dipping, sparkling cider in champagne glasses, and a live music. As well, Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, Director, inspired teens speaking about the essence of Chanukah.
Teens from the Greater Atlanta area enjoyed a day of fun in the sun at the first ever JSU picnic. This exciting event brought together teen participants from JSU clubs throughout the city. This free event had something for everyone including an array of outdoor activities and sports competitions, an abundance of delicious foods and snacks, and culminated with Jewish singing and dancing.
Local teens from Atlanta NCSY and JSU moved into action this past Sunday after witnessing the effects of the recent flood in our community. Under supervision and instruction; we partnered with NECHAMA, a Jewish disaster relief organization; to actively participate in the rebuilding process. As part of the relief efforts, teens sanitized a house ravished by over 4 feet of flood waters. They removed all walls, cabinetry, and flooring, and stripped the house down to the studs.
NCSY and JSU Director, Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, linked the kids' Jewish roles and responsibilities to the event with a discussion about Jewish participation in Tikkun Olam and the corresponding overview of the flood in this week's Torah portion, Parshas Noach.
While tens of teens were interested in participating in this difficult but critical and urgent project, for safety reasons a maximum of only 20 teens were allowed on the damaged housing work site. The event was very successful and we thank NECHAMA for enabling us to participate in this meaningful project.
Projects like this exemplify NCSY and JSU's unique hands-on approach to education by bringing Jewish teens together to experience the Jewish approach to real world situations.
60 ninth graders from the Greater Atlanta packed the Brunswick Zone Bowling in Norcross, GA, for an exclusive event designed just for them. Teens had a blast as they socialized and reconnected with old middle school friends, as well as started relationships with their new high school classmates. The participants attending public high schools were excited to learn about and enthusiastic to join JSU clubs in their schools. Everyone left with the event with same feeling, that they cannot wait until the next one!
Twenty teens from the Greater Atlanta area returning from NCSY's Israel Summer Program, The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ), had a ShabbatDinner hosted at Congregation Beth Jacob. Teens lit shabbat candles, participated in a special "Welcoming the Shabbos" service, enjoyed a delicious catered dinner sponsored by Kosher Gourmet, sang shabbat songs, and discussed divrei Torah that they learned on their trip. As well, teens enjoyed inspiring words of torah from Rabbi Ilan Feldman, Rabbi of Beth Jacob, and Mr. Kivi Bernhard, keynote speaker of the Atlanta Jewish Experience. The meal ended with a kumzitz, where each participant shared their personal stories of growth over the summer and their goals for continued growth this year. For many of these teens it was their first traditional Shabbat experience in the U.S.
Atlanta Teens on NCSY's Israel program T.J.J. are gearing up for the summer of a lifetime. To build momentum for this exciting trip, NCSY hosted a barbecue at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Tate. This event included delicious grilled foods, discussions about Israel, and a lively pre-trip bonding experience. We look forward to hearing news and seeing photos from their trip.
Teens from around the South gathered at the luxurious Doubletree Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, for the end of the year bash, the 2009 SpringRegional Convention. The weekend included interactive activities presented by our NCSY staff and advisors, two private shows by Dad's Garage Comedy Improv, and a trip to Dave and Buster's Arcade. During the annual awards ceremony Nadav Karon from Atlanta, GA, and Ariana Kamran from Norcross, GA, were each a awarded $1,000 NCSY leadership scholarship to attend college programs in Israel next year. Esther Clark, from Sandy Springs, GA, was awarded a $20,000 NCSY leadership Scholarship to attend Touro College in New York. The convention concluded with a fun day trip to Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park.
The Awardees are:
Meritorious Service:
Josh Belinky
Rebecca Belinky
Gertrude Bernstein
Ari Carus
Victoria Davis
Chaya Halpern
Laurie Hunt
Nassan Paul
Kobi Weener
Inspirational Leadership: Matt Altman
Joseph Neder
Kesser Torah:
Sarah Kalfon
Meredith Lane
NCSYers of the Year:
Ariana Kamron
Nadav Karon
Chapter Awards: Chapter Growth
Savannah NCSY
Jacksonville NCSY
Chapter of the Year
Atlanta NCSY
Teens from 10 high schools around the Greater Atlanta area packed the NCSY Community Teen Center for the Fourth Annual Purim Masquerade Bash. One of the highlights of the year, this event kicked off with a multi-media megillah reading led by Rabbi Chaim Glazer. Then, teens enjoyed a wide array of foods including Starbucks, a pasta bar, a salad bar, baked ziti, garlic bread, and cheese cake, made by our very own, Rachmil Strazynski. The evening festivities also included live music, a "Dance Dance Revolution" contest, and a costume contest. For some of the participants it was their first time celebrating Purim.
Teens from around the South gathered at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in Wilmington, North Carolina for NCSY's highly anticipated 2009 Winter Regional Convention. Teens enjoyed the delicious catering of Mr. Steve Gilmer and The Kosher Gourmet, strolling on the picture-perfect banks of the Cape Fear river, touring sites from famous movies, and finishing the weekend with an exclusive tour of the sets from the hit TV show One Tree Hill! The highlight of the convention was the emotional and inspirational havdalah service that included a moving story and powerful message by Regional Director, Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, singing traditional songs, and music by professional musician Josh Strosberg. The service climaxed with joyous simcha dancing that everyone got in to.
Teens from the Greater Atlanta area packed the NCSY Community Teen Center for the 3rd Annual SuperBowlExtravaganza. This free event included spicy chicken wings, and an array of barbecued delicacies and finger foods, watching the SuperBowl in HD on NCSY's giant flat screen, and social and recreational programs for non-football fans. This event was truly a success enjoyed by all.
We would like to thank our sponsors of this event:
One of the highlights of the year, the Third Annual Festival of Lights Ball, saw teens from the Greater Atlanta area pack the NCSY Community Teen Center to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. This "black and white party" included an organic sushi bar manned by a professional sushi chef, an array of hot hors d'oeuvres, sparkling cider in champagne glasses, and a live music. As well, Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, Regional Director, lit the menorah and inspired teens speaking about the essence of Chanukah. The Festival of Lights Ball was the event of the season!
Sixteen carefully selected teens were invited to participate in NCSY Southern Region's 2008 Fall Leadership Retreat in Big Canoe, GA. Held at a luxurious mountain estate overlooking tranquil Lake Petit, the teens participated in social and educational programs that were designed to hone and expand their leadership skills. The teens also participated in planning sessions in which they helped design our upcoming Regional Conventions and Teen Center Parties. Thank you to our sponsors Quality Kosher Emporium, Mr. & Mrs. Josh Feingold, Mr. Steve Gilmer, Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Globus, Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Klein, Mr. & Mrs. Ari Pelta, Mr. & Mrs. Noah Roth, and Rabbi & Mrs. Yoel Spotts, who provided us with such delicious Shabbat delicacies.
NCSY Southern Region is the proud recipient of the prestigious first place Golden Calf Award at the 3rd Annual Kosher Festival and BBQ Cook-off.
Congratulations to NCSY alumnus, Tzvi Weinreich, who lead our team to victory with his carefully guarded secret sauce. Although competing against some of Atlanta's most seasoned and vaunted restaurantiers, Weinreich remained unfazed and edged out the competitive field for the top prize.
NCSY would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. David Lubin, who generously sponsored NCSY's participation in the contest. Also, thanks to Tzvi Weinreich who took home this wonderful award for our organization!
The 17 Teen TJJ participants from Atlanta and their Parents gathered at the Weber Jewish Community High School in Sandy Springs, Georgia, for NCSY's final TJJ reunion class. The goal of the class was to inspire teens and educate them about ways to stay connected to Israel while living in America.
Parents and teens heard from a panel of guest lecturers on the topic of staying connected to Israel, including Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, Regional Director, Mr. Dovid Feldman, JSU Coordinator, Rabbi Yitzchak Holland, Shliach for the Torah Mitzion Kollel, Mr. Yerachmiel Strazynski, an NCSY Alumnus from Atlanta that just returned from IDF service in Israel, and Mrs. Tal Grinfas-David, Senior Educational Research Associate for Emory University's Israel studies department.
The highlight of the event was listening to teens moving stories about how NCSY's TJJ summer program opened their eyes to the beauty of Judaism, strengthened their love of Israel, and increased their connection to the Jewish people.
17 teens from 5 cities in North Georgia returning from NCSY's Israel Summer Program, The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ), had a reunion Shabbat Dinner at the home of Rabbi Chaim and Chava Neiditch. Teens lit shabbat candles, participated in a special "Welcoming the Shabbos" service, enjoyed a delicious homemade dinner, sang shabbat songs, and reminisced about their Summer adventure. This event was truly an evening to remember!
Atlanta teens participating in NCSY's Summer Israel experience TJJ (The Jerusalem Journey) showed their respect as they visited the house of Karnit Goldwasser, the widow of Israeli soldier Ehud Goldwasser on Wednesday, July 16th. Our very own JSU Coordinator, Dovid Feldman, was interviewed in The Jerusalem Post about this moving expereince. Click here to read the story online.
Sixteen carefully selected teens were invited to participate in NCSY Southern Region's 2008 Fall Leadership Retreat in Big Canoe, GA. Held at a luxurious mountain estate overlooking tranquil Lake Petit, the teens participated in social and educational programs that were designed to hone and expand their leadership skills. The teens also participated in planning sessions in which they helped design our upcoming Regional Conventions and Teen Center Parties. Thank you to our sponsors Quality Kosher Emporium, Mr. & Mrs. Josh Feingold, Mr. Steve Gilmer, Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Globus, Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Klein, Mr. & Mrs. Ari Pelta, Mr. & Mrs. Noah Roth, and Rabbi & Mrs. Yoel Spotts, who provided us with such delicious Shabbat delicacies.
The 17 Teen TJJ participants from Atlanta and their Parents gathered at the Weber Jewish Community High School in Sandy Springs, Georgia, for NCSY's final TJJ reunion class. The goal of the class was to inspire teens and educate them about ways to stay connected to Israel while living in America.
17 teens from 5 cities in North Georgia returning from NCSY's Israel Summer Program, The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ), had a reunion Shabbat Dinner at the home of Rabbi Chaim and Chava Neiditch. Teens lit shabbat candles, participated in a special "Welcoming the Shabbos" service, enjoyed a delicious homemade dinner, sang shabbat songs, and reminisced about their Summer adventure. This event was truly an evening to remember!
Atlanta teens participating in NCSY's Summer Israel experience