Well this has been one BUSY week full of chesed, traveling, and fun!!

We spent shabbos in the beautiful community of Memphis, TN.  We davened and ate two meals at the stunning Baron Hirsch Synagogue, and very much enjoyed the hospitality of community member’s homes.

On Sunday, the girls split up to do two different activities. Some girls went to the Ronald McDonald House and did arts and crafts projects with children who have terminal illnesses with their families. It was a very meaningful experience that meant a lot to the families and the girls. The rest of the group went to Shelby Farms Park to paint barrels, and did a fantastic job.

We then enjoyed a delicious lunch at Table 613, a famous kosher restaurant in Memphis.

Our next stop was the gorgeous campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Monday morning, we went to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and packed 465 disaster relief boxes filled with non-perishables to be used in case of disasters all around the country. The girls loved this experience and did an amazing job packing. Charles Kizer, Lead Volunteer Associate at the food bank, taught us all about the company, and would not let us pack the boxes unless we were all smiling, which we were. The girls loved it so much, that after about 2.5 hours packing, Tova Felsenthal, 10th grade, asked if we could stay and do it all again.

We then had some free time to walk around downtown Nashville, and the girls had a great time seeing “Music City” at its finest.

Then we changed gears and focused on a unbelievably meaningful and unforgettable Tisha B’av. We heard Eicha at Shearith Israel in the dark with candles to illuminate the words of the megilla. Afterwards, we invited the women of the community to join us in an incredibly meaningful presentation written and put together by advisors Leah Goldstein, Rachel Waldman, and Bari Fuchs. The presentation focused on tragedies of the Jewish people and American people as well. Some events covered include the Holocaust, September 11th, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the Boston Bombing, and tragic shootings in Itamar, Yeshivat Mercaz Harav Kook, and Sandy Hook Elementary School. The program included a reading and video about each event, with moving songs sung by Bari Fuchs and Elisheva Penner interspersed throughout.

We said kinnos the next morning until midday. The kinnos program was mediated by Rabbi Tropp, and each kinna was prepared and explained by the advisors and Rabbi Tropp. The experience was deeply meaningful and will not be forgotten. We then had the privilege to watch “Paper Clips”, a documentary filmed in Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee about a project in which the middle schoolers aimed to collect six million paper clips in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. The project, which was started in 1998, became so well known and appreciated, that to this day, they have collected over 30 million paper clips. We had the privilege of going to Whitwell Middle School and see the memorial, but more on that below.

We finished Tisha B’av with very moving presentations written and performed by the girls about different times in history when Jews were persecuted. These included Pogroms, the Intifada, the Holocaust, and more.

Wednesday morning, Ms. Linda Hooper, along with four 8th graders from Whitwell, gave us an unforgettable tour of the Paper Clips Memorial. Sophia Stepansky, 10th grade, held a handful of paper clips in her hand and said: “It felt like I was touching people’s souls.” We each got to keep a paper clip sent to Whitwell that represents a Jewish soul.

Next stop on our trip was Atlanta, GA. We got to see the World of Coca Cola, where we learned all about the history and making of Coca-Cola, and got to taste over 20 flavors of soda! This morning, we sorted and packed books with Books for Africa, another amazing experience. We then went to Six Flags of Atlanta and spent the rest of the day going on rides, playing games, and eating dippin dots!

It has been such an amazing week, and we cannot wait to GIVE more in the days to come!

Don’t forget to check in before shabbos for pictures and the long-awaited double pre-shabbos video!

Next stop, Albany, NY!

Check out this article!

http://www.jewishlinkbc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1112:ncsy-give-usa-teens-clown-around-at-jewish-home-at-rockleigh&catid=151:community-news&Itemid=584

“[I’m] Gonna miss New Orleans. I’ve had so many amazing experiences here. From planting gardens at a school that got destroyed by Katrina, changing people’s light bulbs to save them money and energy (green light New Orleans), putting together care packages for homeless people that includes blankets, towels and pillows, feeding the homeless, to much more inspiring things. Even though GIVE USA has given a lot we still got more than we gave. I’ve learned so much from here and hopefully throughout the rest of our journey I will learn more and experience more. Thank you New Orleans and thank you to all the people that helped me and my group have an amazing experience here.”
Matana Zwiren (10th grade)

“We woke up early this morning and piled into the vans to drive to the site of the houses we’re going to be building with Habitat for Humanity. We got a safety brief from the Habitat crew first, of course, and then it was up on the ladders—the stairs still haven’t been put up. There was a lot of hammering going on today, floorboards in one house and frames in the other. The advisors got to use power tools. It gets really hot here in New Orleans, and we all had to drink a ton of water.
After we finished work for the day, we returned to our current residence at the dorms at Tulane University for a quick cooldown.
This evening, Rabbi Katz of New Jersey NCSY led us on a [Jewish] tour of the city. We saw the Ninth Ward and a section of the levees, both of which had been completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. As we drove down the gravel streets, we saw newly rebuilt houses side by side with lots that are still empty, eight years after the storm.
We then had the opportunity to see the former location of Congregation Beth Israel, the shul that housed us this Shabbat. Rabbi Katz gave a d’var about the Nine Days, and the comparison between leaving Jerusalem after the destruction of the temple and our victorious exodus from Egypt. Afterwards, we sat in front of the ruined building and sang a few songs, starting with Im Eshkacheich Yerushalayim—If I forget thee, Jerusalem.Night activity was on a lighter note, with candy sushi making and impromptu frosting fights. I tried to stay clear of the latter.
We are only in New Orleans for another two days, and then it’s off to Nashville, Tennessee for the GIVE USA crew. I’m looking forward to it!”
-Zippy Spanjer (Rochester, NY, 12th grade)

“Today on July 9, 2013 I visited the poorest part of Louisiana. When I looked left and right, all I saw were empty lots. Why are they empty? They’re empty because of Hurricane Katrina which occurred 8 years ago in 2005. It was so depressing seeing all these empty houses which were once occupied with happy people. Putting myself in that situation frightened me! I, living in Brooklyn, take advantage of my house, food, clothing family and much more! By seeing what New Orleans looks like, I learned that we should all be thankful for what we have and always say please and thank you and give a warm smile to people we see on the street! Don’t be greedy and always want more! Thank G-d I come home to a nice meal every day, while some people don’t have any food in their closets! This experience and this whole NCSY GIVE USA taught me to be thankful and happy with what Hashem gave me!”
-Robyn Dweck (Brooklyn, NY, 11th grade)

“This week in New Orleans has gotten off to a crazy start!!! From meeting amazing people at the New Orleans Food Mission…to building houses for victims of Katrina..it’s been wild! Today we mulched trees to help bring back some beauty to New Orleans, since 90% of the trees were destroyed in Katrina. Even eight years later, so many people are still homeless and need help. Every little job on GIVE USA makes a huge difference. It’s hard work, and as I lay in bed after a long day I feel tired…but in an amazing, fulfilling way, like I made a difference. On GIVE USA we travel all around and together try to make a difference in other peoples lives.”
-Shira Stoltzman (10th Grade)

“So today we were fixing up plant beds by a place that plants in order to prevent water from coming into the town, which was awesome. What was even more amazing was how appreciative the people were for us doing it- people came up to us and told us thank you a cajillion times. This can teach us how some things that we do, that we think are so small and will totally not matter, are really appreciated and make a huge difference and impact on some people’s lives. It’s a lesson that we can take with us, especially going into the 9 days, that we should do the small little things, even if we think they don’t matter, because in reality they can really be affecting people in the most positive way and bring us all closer together.”
-Ariella Belote (12th Grade)

“This week I spent learning about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how many parts of New Orleans still aren’t fixed. Today I helped plant horsetail and dig up rocks to make a waterway for when New Orleans floods. We went on a swamp tour and I was able to hold a baby alligator. I was craving string beans all day and I was blessed with string beans with a side of jambalaya and bread pudding for dinner. I’m having such a good time volunteering on GIVE USA!”
-Rachel Hia (12th grade)

We just left Camp HASC and I am overwhelmed with emotion. It makes you realize how lucky you are. I must work there when I’m old enough because it was literally heaven on earth. To know that I can make such an impact on these kids is unbelievable. I just wanted to stay. The counselors are such צדיקים. These campers have so many struggles, yet are all so beautiful. It was so eye opening. It was an amazing and incredible day.

-Casey Winderbaum (10th Grade)