Summer 2017

[Written by Avigayil Roffe, Hewlett, New York]
After davening, breakfast and an informative, political speech from Dr. David Luchins, we broke up into two groups and headed to our respective chesed activities. I was really nervous when we first walked into Midnight Mission because Skid Row is the second largest homeless community, but then I walked in and all the people were happy and proud of the work they were doing. It was clean and sanitary, not run down and gross. They gave us a tour of the facilities. Showing us the classrooms, mini-hospital, offering them opportunities to help them, and REALLY help them. We served the food to the homeless and helped clean up afterward. I liked how it wasn’t only serving food, they have all different facilities to help these people get their lives together, basketball, yoga, teams, concerts, really doing the extras in addition to the necessities.

[Written by Meira Entin, Miami, Florida]
Today a group of us were privileged to visit the Garden Palms Nursing Home. We pulled up to the building, walked in, split up, and began to meet our new friends. We each spoke to different elderly men and women and shared our experiences. Through talking and hanging out with the residents we all brought smiles and happiness to the residents day, which in turn made us super happy. Aside from just talking to the residents many of them shared inspiring life stories and advice with us. We were even fortunate enough to hear from some Holocaust survivors and get some inspiration from their faith and connection. After an amazing morning spent in the nursing home, we said goodbye to our newfound friends and headed to the bus where we each were able to share our experiences with the rest of the group. Thank you GIVE WEST for an amazing morning!!

[Written by Sarah Hanian, Edison, New Jersey]
After a refreshing afternoon in a neighborhood pool, we came back to AJU to shower, change, and daven Mincha. We then went out to Shnitzely, in Pico, for dinner. After we ate we were able to walk around and most of us went to Munchies, an amazing candy store in the area. After dinner, we came back to AJU and we began our preparation for tomorrow’s carnival at Camp Etta Israel. We made bright and colorful posters relating to our carnival booths. Soon after, Rabbi Katz gave a very informative Shiur on how to protect your and others privacy through social media. We discussed the Halachic and emotional aspects concerning the issues that come up while using social media and learning the right way to use social media to maintain your own privacy as well as others. We can’t wait for another fun-filled day tomorrow!

[Written by Tali Wolff, Paramus, NJ]
Today was another incredible day on GIVE WEST! We woke up early this morning energized and ready to depart Arizona. We headed to davening and breakfast and of course our Chabburas. Following that we cleaned up, said our goodbyes to the hot weather in Phoenix, and began to board the bus for a 7-hour adventure – off to Los Angeles for us! We started off the bus ride with a great Dvar Torah (shoutout to Leba Schleiffer!) There were tons of movies being played, snacks going around and many sefarim being learned. A large group of us learned Perkei Avot on the back of the bus (shout out to Amira Pechet!) After a much needed Walmart stop, and a long but very smooth bus ride (shoutout to Paul, our bus driver!) we finally arrived at our home for the next 10 nights, the American Jewish University. Waiting for us at AJU was Rabbi David Katz, the Rosh Yeshiva at MMY, who flew all the way from Israel to spend a few days with us. We also met Dr. & Mrs. Luchins (Touro/NCSY Summer), Mr. & Mrs. Novak (Ben Zakai Foundation), Mr. Statman (Ben Zakai Foundation), and Mr. & Mrs. Becker (LA NCSY). Dr. Luchins told us fascinating stories and we can’t wait to hear more from him tomorrow! Thank you to Touro College for sponsoring a delicious Texas BBQ and for giving us each a Sefer as a gift…we can’t wait to learn more from them! After dinner, we boarded the busses one more time and we headed to Santa Monica Pier! The crowds of people filled the Pier and the sights were incredible. A group of us decided to go on the Ferris wheel. The first time around it was pretty scary and it was hard to look out but the second time around, and third, and fourth, all I could think was מה רבו מעשיך ה׳ a constant theme on this trip. After exploring the pier and just seeing the sights we came back to AJU. Although many hours were spent getting on and off the bus, there was never a dull moment throughout the entire day (Shoutout to Leah and Gavriela!!) No matter where we are we always have a blast on GIVE WEST!

[Written by Tali Wolff, Paramus, NJ]
Today was another incredible day on GIVE WEST! We woke up early this morning energized and ready to depart Arizona. We headed to davening and breakfast and of course our Chabburas. Following that we cleaned up, said our goodbyes to the hot weather in Phoenix, and began to board the bus for a 7-hour adventure – off to Los Angeles for us! We started off the bus ride with a great Dvar Torah (shoutout to Leba Schleiffer!) There were tons of movies being played, snacks going around and many sefarim being learned. A large group of us learned Perkei Avot on the back of the bus (shout out to Amira Pechet!) After a much needed Walmart stop, and a long but very smooth bus ride (shoutout to Paul, our bus driver!) we finally arrived at our home for the next 10 nights, the American Jewish University. Waiting for us at AJU was Rabbi David Katz, the Rosh Yeshiva at MMY, who flew all the way from Israel to spend a few days with us. We also met Dr. & Mrs. Luchins (Touro/NCSY Summer), Mr. & Mrs. Novak (Ben Zakai Foundation), Mr. Statman (Ben Zakai Foundation), and Mr. & Mrs. Becker (LA NCSY). Dr. Luchins told us fascinating stories and we can’t wait to hear more from him tomorrow! Thank you to Touro College for sponsoring a delicious Texas BBQ and for giving us each a Sefer as a gift…we can’t wait to learn more from them! After dinner, we boarded the busses one more time and we headed to Santa Monica Pier! The crowds of people filled the Pier and the sights were incredible. A group of us decided to go on the Ferris Wheel. The first time around it was pretty scary and it was hard to look out but the second time around, and third, and fourth, all I could think was מה רבו מעשיך ה׳ a constant theme on this trip. After exploring the pier and just seeing the sights we came back to AJU. Although many hours were spent getting on and off the bus, there was never a dull moment throughout the entire day (Shoutout to Leah and Gavriela!!) No matter where we are we always have a blast on GIVE WEST!

[Written by Arielle Serwatien, Houston, TX]
Disclaimer: I walked onto the bus today questioning what could possibly be worth a three-hour bus ride but when we pulled up to the Grand Canyon and I wondered where the time had gone.

We began the day with our normal routine of davening, breakfast, and learning. We eagerly boarded the bus and the drive began. Everyone got to play music, games, and watch a movie as we moved along. A little after twelve we pulled up to grand canyon national park and got to meet our tour guides. Since we were such a big group we split into six and got to hike part of two trails.

Here are my first four thoughts as I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: Its vastness. Its age. How green and full of plants it was. And how nice the weather was.
It didn’t take long for the rest of the enormity of where we were to hit me. Our tour guide, Rich, led us down the Canyon on the Bright Angel trail pointing out Native American drawing and sharing random facts about foliage and history.

Next, we got to hike the rim walking up steep inclines to reach the perfect look out point. I would attempt to describe it but I feel that the English language stops short of describing the wonders we saw. I’m not even sure the pictures do it full justice.

The bus ride back to the hotel was just as fun though we did hit a slight bump when we got stuck in traffic. But watching fireworks from the bus and celebrating the Fourth of July all together was a party, the likes of which I’ve never experienced. When we got back our amazing staff was able to put together dinner at record speed so we could all eat, shower, and fall into bed exhausted yet exhilarated and grateful for air conditioning. Can’t wait to head to LA tomorrow!!!

[Written by Chani Kaminetzky, Boca Raton, FL]
Today on GIVE WEST was a jam-packed day filled with chesed, bonding, and fun. Following davening, breakfast, and chabburah, we headed to the Desert Mission Food Bank, where we split up into groups and assembly lines. Some girls packaged animal food, some unpacked and repacked Oreos, and some broke down all the boxes for recycling. In front of the warehouse was a mini shop for people to come to who could not afford food for themselves or their families. All different types of people were guided around the shop and filled their carts with food that they would otherwise be lacking. I was walking around with a couple and distributing food to them. The older man complimented us on how modestly we were dressed and how incredible it was to see. We responded by explaining that as part of our religion we dress modestly and then we went on to explain GIVE WEST and our mission. He became extremely interested when we told them that we were Jewish. He went on to explain how his family was in the Spanish Inquisition and had lost their connection to Judaism. They are slowly retracing their roots of their religion. These are the types of extraordinary conversations we encounter on GIVE WEST while interacting with a diverse group of people. Thank you, Mom and Abba for giving me this amazing opportunity to give back while gaining a tremendous amount.

[Written by Emma Freiden, Boca Raton, Florida]
This afternoon on GIVE WEST we went to hike Butcher Jones. We saw views that will stay with us forever. After a long and exciting hike around the Saguaro Lake, we all ran and jumped straight into the refreshing lake water, disregarding the dirt around us 🙂 Even when we were drying off we would find ways to have fun. On our long bus ride back we shared together meaningful thoughts of our day, watched movies, and just hang out. Once we arrived back at the hotel we had time to chill, swim, and shower. Then we went to Mincha, dinner and a fun night activity. We played Minute to Win It, with just one minute to complete each fun task. We were split into two teams and competed with one another. After the game, we enjoyed a delicious ice cream party for Tamar Erlbaum’s Hebrew Birthday! And with some time left we prepared for the next amazing day to come. As our heads hit the pillow, we each feel great satisfaction from another accomplished day on GIVE WEST!

[Written by Batsheva Rabinowitz, Silver Spring, Maryland]
What an amazing Sunday on GIVE WEST! After davening, breakfast and chabburah this morning at the hotel, we headed to a homeless shelter, St. Vincent De Paul, in a highly populated homeless section of Arizona. At the homeless shelter, we scooped ice cream, prepared popcorn, brought food to people outside of the shelter, to those who were not able to come in. After we prepared the food trays, we brought the food to the people who came in for lunch, and we served the food to them. Once we finished serving, we sat down and spoke to people and heard their stories, about how they became homeless or why they were at the shelter, or just to hear what they wanted to say. There was an older man who was talking to us about understanding the concept that people are not homeless, they are suffering from homelessness. Which makes it easier to talk to them as people instead of scary homeless people on the street. We spoke to the security man who used to suffer from homelessness and put his life back together by volunteering at the shelter, got a job there, and he now helps by giving back to others in his previous state. Thank you Mom & Dad for letting me go on this program, I learned a lot already and it’s only the beginning!

[Written by Racheli Perl, Bala Cynwyd, PA]
Today, after we finished our chessed project at the homeless shelter, we went hiking in Sedona, AZ. We hiked up the Bell Rock while listening to music and taking pictures along the way. We stopped along the way to take in the views and take more pictures. The views were breathtaking and gorgeous!!! After that, we headed back to the hotel and had some free time before dinner. Everyone was doing different things — we had the option of going swimming, showering, chilling, learning, which many of us did and it was really fun!! Then we davened mincha and ate a delicious dinner before we had Night Activity. For Night Activity we played a game called Panoply, which is a game where we split into teams and were assigned different tasks to complete within a time limit. It was a lot of fun, very interactive, and a great way to meet new girls. Now we are going to bed to get a good night’s sleep before a fun filled day tomorrow. Have a good night!!!

Shabbos on GIVE WEST was brought in early with a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday Night dinner filled with delicious food, singing, and new friends. Dinner was followed by a session with our advisors exploring the theme of our first Shabbos, Bein Adam L’Makom, our relationship with Hashem. The session was followed by a yummy tisch, where we schmoozed, sang, and bonded some more. Shabbos morning began with davening, Parsha, and kiddush! We played another ice-breaker game called Fruit Bowl, where we shared facts about ourselves in a fun and interactive game. We switched things up a bit at lunch where we had different colored cups at every table and everyone had to rearrange their seats to sit by their colored cup so everyone was able to move around and get to know new girls. With new friends, we delved deeper into the Shabbos theme, learning more about Hashem in our lives and discussing it with our friends and advisors. We had some free time and then an hour of Beit Midrash time, where the girls were able to learn with their advisors – and what a hit it was! The girls enthusiastically chose books to learn with their friends and advisors, the room was buzzing with learning. Following that, we divided into groups and discussed the essentials required to build a Jewish community and what it means to be an American Jew as opposed to a Jewish American. Seudat Shilishit was followed by a beautiful “Ebbing” circle and Havdala to close the amazing and inspirational first Shabbos on GIVE WEST. Everyone came down dressed up and ready to dance this Motzei Shabbos for our first GIVE WEST Chagigah and Melava Malka! Dancing and eating was followed by a slow kumzitz, around “GW” in lights. Inspired, exhausted, and happy, everyone is sound asleep ready and pumped for another amazing day in the Arizona sun!

Friday on GIVE WEST began with our first chesed at Salvation Army. We learned about the international organization and specifically the work that they are involved in within Arizona, helping people in the extreme heat. We then wrote and decorated over 2,000 motivational and inspirational cards to be put in school bags that are given out to children in poverty-stricken communities. Delicious early lunch was brought to us so that we were able to have plenty of time at Big Surf water park before Shabbos. After two hours of great water fun, we headed to Walmart for a quick stop for any necessities and some snacks. We headed back to the hotel to prepare for our first Shabbos on GIVE WEST in Phoenix, Arizona!!

Welcome to NCSY GIVE WEST 2017!
Can you believe it?! It’s here! All of the NCSY GIVE WEST planes landed safely today at Phoenix International Airport and the summer is finally underway. Once all of the NCSYers were shuttled to the GreenTree Inn in Phoenix, we were greeted with a delicious lunch and Human Bingo Ice-Breaker! Learning about each other was fun and easy in this interactive game. We then had free time in the afternoon getting to know each other, swimming in the pool, chilling around the hotel, and unpacking our things. We joined back together for GIVE WEST Orientation and a yummy dinner, followed by an amazing game of NCSY GIVE WEST Speed Dating. We ended the night early giving everyone time to unpack and rest up for our exciting day tomorrow filled with chesed and fun in the Phoenix sun. A big thank you to Nachi & Chani Cooper for the yummy food today and to all of our amazing NCSY GIVE WEST advisors and staff for their enthusiasm and help. We cannot wait for Day #2!