Friday was our first long road trip and we pulled it off in an awesome Give USA West fashion! We left Phoenix in the morning and headed out on our way to San Diego. We stopped off at a Walmart in Yuma and had a fun photo challenge there! We then drove the rest of the way to our hotel. We got ready for Shabbos and went to the Beth Jacob of San Diego for davening. The community was very welcoming and we had a nice Shabbos dinner in the shul, which we finished off with a candy-filled oneg! Shabbos morning we were back at shul for davening (Mazal Tov Jacob on your bar mitzvah)! We had lunch in the shul and then we split into informal groups for an amazing learning session about finding our own identity. We played a hilarious ice-breaker game of ‘fruit salad’ which everyone really enjoyed. Afterwards, we had some free time and the girls were able to schmooze, hang out and learn. After Shalosh Seudos, we had our first NCSY ebbing and then Havdala. Motzai Shabbos marked our first movie night, where we watched Frozen (singing along of course!), and had an ice cream Melava Malka. Thank you so much to our Shabbos guests; Vivian and David Luchins (NCSY summer chair and OU senior VP, dean at Touro, Ben Zakkai Committee), Isabelle and David Novak (Chair of the Ben Zakkai committee), and Sarah and Eli Klugman (Director of recruitment, Lander College for Women) for enriching our weekend. Sunday morning we set out bright and early for the zoo. We spent the day touring the beautiful San Diego Zoo. We saw tons of exotic animals, rode a “skyfari” and took the tour bus around the park. We then drove to LA to Pizza World for a Mexican themed dinner! Afterwards we headed out to our newest lodgings – the American Jewish University. For night activity we made posters for the Dodgers game we are attending tomorrow, as well as receiving super-awesome Give USA (road trip-style) trucker hats! After such a long day we set off to bed, with everyone really looking forward to our first day in LA!!!

Day Two of Give USA was incredibly packed and fun! We started off the morning with an orientation where lots of materials regarding this summer’s programs were given out. Everyone was really excited to receive the summer’s itinerary, along with other important GIVE info.  We then broke into our chaburah groups, and had our first learning session of the summer! Each chaburah will be learning four different chaburot on five different parts of a mishnah. After some free time and lunch we headed out to our big event of the day – tubing on the Salt Lake River! We braved the 108 degree heat (covered in sun screen and well hydrated of course) and set off on our journey. We cruised along the beautiful river amidst gorgeous desert scenery – complete with mountains, cacti and even some stray horses! – and had a blast!! We then went back to Segal’s restaurant where they set out a yummy Chinese buffet for us. Back at Scottsdale suites we played “minute to win it”, an awesome and hilarious night activity. After such a long fun-filled day we set off to bed. We can’t believe we’re leaving Arizona aleady but are so excited to hit up San Diego tomorrow!! Destination 2, here we come!!

Wow! What a great first day to start off what is sure to be an incredible summer! We greeted the girls at the Phoenix airport this morning, with lots of welcome signs and Give USA spirit!! We then took our bus (shout out to our awesome bus driver Mary!) to our first destination- Scottsdale Suites! We had a delicious lunch and then got to know each other with an ice breaker – a fun game of human bingo! After some relaxation time we gathered together to launch our #bringbackourboys campaign where we recited some tehillim and made signs. We then headed out to Segal’s restaurant for a yummy meat buffet dinner. Upon returning to our hotel, the advisors presented the Give USA theme song along with a dance. To finish off our day we had a second ice breaker game – speed dating, Give USA style! Finally, we headed to our rooms for some much needed sleep! Looking forward to day 2!!

Danielle Arfe here! GIVE USA West – who is ready for the most fantastical summer of your lives? I cannot wait to meet you all! My name is Danielle (but it’s pronounced Danielle-eeee)! I am from the Lower East Side (NYC) – the best place to find yummy pickles! I went to Central High School, MMY, and am now living it up in Queens College. This is my first NCSY program and I am bursting with excitement. I love just having fun – whenever and wherever. I love singing, dancing, playing sports, and my most favorite of all is simcha dancing – what’s better than a good old horah?? Get ready to party GIVE USA WEST! Can’t wait for Wednesday! Oh and by the way – ice cream on me for the NCSYer to take the best selfie with a cactus! See you all soon!

Hi! I’m Rebecca Pershan, and I am SO looking forward to sharing adventures with you this summer! Although I’ve been a madricha at several camps for many summers, I’ve never been on an NCSY summer experience. I’m a Midwesterner, and I’m really looking forward to traveling the west coast with you. I grew up in Skokie, where I graduated from Ida Crown. I learned at Shaalvim for Women in the amazing city of Yerushalayim. Now I’m a junior at Stern College in New York, where I’m a nursing major. I love exploring new places, running, and I have frequent cravings for Chicago’s famous Romanian salami. Can’t wait to meet everyone and begin an amazing summer together!

Hi guys! My name is Sarah Lederer and I am super excited to be an advisor on give USA this summer! I live in Bergenfield NJ and went to Bruriah for high school. This past year I was a madricha in Michalah and loved it! In the fall I will be studying psychology at Touro college in Manhattan.  I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, playing sports, swimming, and of course to learn Torah! Throughout my high school years I was greatly inspired by NCSY summer programs that were life changing. The memories I had and the values and lessons I’ve gained still stick with me today! I look forward to “giving” back and being an NCSY advisor. Looking forward to meeting all of you. Can’t wait to tour, have fun, and to do chessed with you guys!

Hey ALL!! My name is Shaina Joyandeh and I’m just super duper excited to have the best summer with you guys! I live in Elizabeth, NJ and I went to Bruriah High School, then on to MMY and I currently go to Stern College (for Knowledge). I’m an NCSY Advisor for West Orange – LETS GO WEST ‘O!! Even though I’m a Persian Sephardi and dark as ever, I just love some good homemade Matzah Ball soup. Honestly who doesn’t? Although my biggest tayvah is candy! Don’t tell my mom ;)! I love swimming and really just hanging with my awesome family and friends! I can’t wait to meet you and have tons of fun!

Hi! My name is Ayelet Roller and I am so lucky to be the Assistant Director of GIVE USA WEST this summer! I cannot believe how quickly time flew by, and how our road trip starts tomorrow! When I am not planning for GIVE USA West, I am a student at Brooklyn College and work as an assistant second grade teacher in Shulamith School for Girls. I also work for New York NCSY and know some GIVE USAers from there! It is going to be an incredible summer, jam packed with unforgettable trips and events. Can’t wait to meet you all!

Hey there GIVE USA West! My name is Leah Moskovich and I cannot wait to meet you all on Wednesday, June 25th!!! Here’s a little bit about myself! I was born and raised in Westchester, NY (bonus points for anyone who has ever been there before!). I am currently a teacher in Central High School in Queens (shoutout to all the Central ladies!), and I have worked for NCSY since the Summer of 2009. I am a huge tennis, piano, and swimming fan. I love more than anything learning Torah, schmoozing with students, family and friends, and touring the beautiful world. I am MOST excited for this upcoming summer to tour new cities that I have never been to! Get pumped GIVE WESTers — you are about to experience a summer of a lifetime! It’s time to give back, share our love of Judaism, inspire, and be inspired. See you all soon!