PHOTO: SARAH RABINOWITZ
SOUTHERN (L to R) Yasmine Avrahami, Sarah Rabinowitz and Keren Yunger wait for Shabbat to begin at Southern NCSY’s Spring Regional Convention at the Ramada Marco Polo Beach Resort.
Jacksonville, FL Rabbi Shaya Hauptman — info@ncsyjax.com
See mini story on page 46.
region. Shabbatons are experiencing more attendees than ever. South Miami NCSY has also made it a priority to get out in the community, volunteering at various community events. In light of this, South Miami was awarded Chapter of the Year.
Savannah, GA Rabbi Eli Lob — lobe@ncsy.org
SAVANNAH BREAKS RECORD WITH LARGEST EVENT Once again, Savannah NCSY set the record for the largest local Jewish youth group event with over 35 NCSYers in attendance. NCSYers had a blast as they challenged each other to bowling tournaments, laser tag shoot-outs and wild arcade action.
South Miami, FL Jason Segelbaum — segelbaumj@ncsy.org
SOUTH MIAMI NCSY REINVENTS THE WHEEL Youth director Jason Segelbaum joined the NCSY team last year and is striving to bring the local teens and students closer to Torah. Weekly events are primarily social but have an educational component. Through events such as Lox Box, Purim Carnival and the South Miami Charity Marathon Run, South Miami NCSY has been able to raise funds to help more teens attend Shabbatons and to help teens go on NCSY Israel programs.
SOUTH MIAMI NCSY wins CHAPTER OF THE YEAR South Miami NCSY has not only engaged members locally, but has become more involved throughout the
SOUTHWEST Rabbi Israel Lashak, Regional Director 972.934.9143 // ncsysw@ncsy.org southwest.ncsy.org
DALLAS NCSY ENDS YEAR IN ARKANSAS Dallas NCSY travelled to Arkansas for its end-of-theyear trip. The teens stayed in lake-front cabins and spent two days having fun with non-stop activities including horseback riding across the mountains of Arkansas and boating and tubing in Lake Catherine. It was also a time for teens to reflect and connect spiritually. “It was an amazing opportunity to connect with myself, to connect with nature and to connect with God,” said Maya Ivensky, a Dallas NCSYer.
WHO WON THE COW? For the second year in a row, Dallas NCSY raffled off an entire cow’s worth of meat for its annual fundraiser. Ticket sales tripled this year. Congratulations to Aaron Leeder from Staten Island, New York, for winning all that beef!
Albany, NY ALBANY NCSY WINS CHAPTER EXCELLENCE AWARD Albany capped off a year of exceptional growth and programming with the Chapter Excellence Award given at Spring Convention’s reception. The award highlighted the NCSYers contributions and educational, fun-filled efforts towards the community. A special example of this was when more than 20 teens attended the shul’s all-night Shavuot learning program. The energy was palpable and exemplified the incredible vitality of the chapter.
Buffalo, NY BUFFALO NCSY SENDS OUT SENIORS IN STYLE The year started off with a bonfire and day of fun at the park where teens played soccer, capture the flag, kickball and board games. During the winter, they beat the frost by ice-skating, laser tagging and cybersporting! In the early spring, NCSYers had a great time bouncing off the walls at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park. Seniors were sent out with a final taste of Buffalo hospitality with a closing end-of-the-year barbecue.
UPSTATE NEW YORK Marc Fein, Regional Director 718.216.6445 // feinm@ncsy.org upstate.ncsy.org
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