Fashionista, community activist and NCSY supporter
y first impression of NCSY came when I attended NCSY’s Leadership Training Seminar in Bal Harbour back in 2010. There, I witnessed such a tremendous difference between the teens who were active and engaged and other teens, elsewhere, who were lost and floundering, without any direction or focus. I can still see those NCSYers in their breakout sessions, wrestling with real issues such as the challenges facing their peers, the vision of a youth group and what success looks like after a year of hard work. I had never seen teens like that before. There are many wonderful youth programs with many talented leaders, but my experience has shown me that only NCSY has the dedicated professional staff and enthusiastic volunteer advisors who can answer teens’ most challenging questions about G-d and our religion. They are not only passionate and talented; they are educated and engaging. Our teens need role models who are not only present at meetings and events, but who are there to help kids grow as Jews and to take the next steps in their engagement. NCSY provides those critical lifelong connections with mentors that I just haven’t seen anywhere else. Since becoming involved with NCSY, I have been privileged to sit with other Jewish givers throughout South Florida. Hearing what makes them motivated to make a difference is truly inspirational. I am personally committed to helping our team raise the funds necessary to really take off. The more I do that, the more I learn about Jewish leaders around us, their past and what inspired them to grow into who they are. I would encourage those who are considering supporting NCSY to come to a Shabbaton and experience the magic for themselves. Hearing about NCSYers’ growth and success cannot compare to meeting some of these amazing teens firsthand. Ride the bus to an event with them, like I did, and hear their stories. Sit at their table and learn how NCSY has
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changed their lives. We are saving Jewish souls, one by one. As we do so, the teens grow and inspire others to do the same. We all know the challenges that our teens and young adults are facing on college campuses across the country. Many have no Jewish connection and are clueless about our rich heritage and traditions. If we don’t prepare them before leaving home, the statistical likelihood of losing them forever is frightening. The organized Jewish community must respond by investing major resources to impact and educate our teens while they are still at home. It’s the only chance we have – and NCSY is doing just that.
After completing her graduate studies in Art Education at FIU, Freda opened her first clothing store, A Nose for Clothes. For the next 34 years, Freda expanded the company to nine locations and an online store while serving as the fashion director, buyer and merchandise manager. She also served as the PR, marketing and advertising coordinator. Freda currently serves as NCSY’s Advisory Committee Chair. She has served as the GMJF South Dade Campaign Vice-Chair, Founding Chair of the March of the Living Education and Development Committee, Past President of the Alper Jewish Community Center, President of CAJE, First Chairperson of AIPAC South Dade and national positions with AIPAC, JESNA, and the JCCA. Freda resides in Bal Harbour, Florida, and has two children, Ari and Stacy, and five grandchildren.
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