Happy fourth of July! Today is a very special day for GIVE USA West. Not only are we one of the NCSY Summer domestic programs (and very proud to be American!), but it is also GIVE USA West Color War! The proud teams: Red (Love), White (Purity), and Blue (Spirituality) are currently competing for the win here in AJU. After an intense and emotional week, this could not be a better display of unity and spirit. The teams are not only giving to the West Coast, they are also giving to each other; the essence of a true giver.

It's hard to believe that we are about to enter our second shabbos here together. Beginning last Sunday, we spent a full day in the San Diego Zoo! After a full day of fun, we traveled to Los Angeles. We did four major chesed activities this past week in LA! On Monday be began our chesed experience, visiting the elderly at the Garden of Palms Assisted Living Residence. The assisted living home provided us with art supplies, and the NCSYers took it from there. They mingled, made beautiful art projects, and brought smiles to all of the women in the home. This trip was followed by free time in the Grove, and then a visit to the Museum of Tolerance. The tour was meaningful and inspirational. After an emotional day, we ended of with true GIVE USA West pride at the LA Dodgers game (and they won)!

Tuesday was a life changing day here on GIVE USA West. We began our morning at the Kosher Palate Truck. Michele Grant, owner and founder of the truck, explained to us the importance of checking for bugs and making the most delicious food for the needy. She lead us in chopping, grinding, sautéing, grilling, peeling, and combing the most delicious ingredients. We made veggie wraps for the needy and we also made ourselves a delicious salad for lunch. After this amazing Kosher food truck experience, we headed off to the Midnight Mission. The Midnight Mission is an organization that opens their doors every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the homeless in downtown Los Angeles. GIVE USA West went behind the counters to serve over 800 homeless people a delicious dinner. Many of the GIVE Westers were on the floor cleaning up trays, sweeping the floors, and just smiling to the homeless and wishing them a good day. Despite the few worries as we entered the Mission, after three hours of serving and cleaning, it is safe to say that all of our lives have been changed. Interacting with a population that we have never interacted with before, was eye opening and extremely meaningful.  The power of giving to this community has changed the mindsets and the appreciation of all the GIVE USAers. We don't only give to Jews, we give to all. The intensity of the day was relieved as we all enjoyed a night on Santa Monica Pier.

After spending an incredibly fun day in Universal Studios on Wednesday, we were back to giving to America on Thursday! We sent the morning boxing, sorting, and dividing food at the LA Food Bank. We boxed 2,000 lbs of bread, and over 10,000 lbs of food! After all of the chesed we did this week, the girls now have the full picture of what food distribution is really like: making the food, boxing the food, and serving the food. We then spent a relaxing afternoon on Malibu Beach. The night ended with a great Comedy Sportz Show and COLOR WAR BREAK OUT! GIVE USA West has been divided into three teams: Red (Heart, Love), Blue (Sky, Spirituality), and White (Dove, Purity). The girls were so excited from the start and are so filled with ruach and teamwork! Today we are having an array of activities, swimming races, Divrei Torah, songs, cheers, dances, and skits. It is my hope that after a week like this on GIVE USA West, and in the Jewish nation at large, we can come together in unity and song.

On the cover of our GIVE USA West Color War booklets it read, "Libi BaMizrach Va'ani B'sof Maarav" - Even though I am in the West, my heart is in the East. This week unfortunately, we are morning the loss of our three boys: Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali. On GIVE USA West, we are having a blast, touring the world, and seeing new things. Through all of the fun, we find inspiration. Through all of the sadness, we find hope and chesed. We might be on the West Coast, but our hearts are constantly with Israel. We say tehillim every morning for the safety of our nation and for the IDF. We have been learning and doing acts of kindness in their memory. We realize here on GIVE USA West, that just by doing good, and adding chesed to the world, we are doing our part in helping the greater Jewish Community. We should only share in simcha in the future.

During our week in LA we saw the "stars". We saw the Hollywood sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, and even met a celebrity! But as our time here comes to an end, it is our job to think about what it truly means to be a "star" in the Jewish community. What makes us happy in life? "Eizeh hu ashir, ha'sameach b'chelko" - Who is truly rich? One who is happy with his lot. It is a hard concept to grasp at times, especially when the lights of Hollywood are gorgeous and temping. After this week on GIVE USA West, I think it has become clear that a life of happiness and fulfillment, truly comes from doing good and giving to others - the NCSY GIVE USAers this week were the real "stars".

We will be spending Shabbos together in the Pico Robertson community, davening at Adas Torah. We will be staying in homes, and eating together on Shabbos day. We look forward to another wonderful week with your daughters! The pre-shabbos video will be uploaded to the blog before Shabbos!

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