More than 150 teens from across the region came together in late April for Midwest NCSY’s Spring Regional Shabbaton. And for many of the 50+ graduating seniors in attendance, it was a bittersweet moment.
It was the last time they would experience NCSY’s pre-Shabbos Ruach, its trademark ebbing and Havdalah, its thought-provoking learning sessions, and the lifelong friendships they’ve made with peers across the region.
For many, the highlight was the annual banquet, kicked off by Midwest NCSY’s Regional Board (above), which honored the seniors. And though it marked the end of an era, it was also a celebration of how far they’ve come – and of the Torah values they’ll take with them into the future.
Your support is what gives so many teens the foundation they need to become Jewishly committed in high school – and beyond.
Read on as our graduating seniors share how Spring Shabbaton – and NCSY over the years – has shaped their lives, thanks to you.
For Yehudah Greenberg (l.), a senior at Yeshivat Kadimah High School in St. Louis, this was his 13th Shabbaton since joining NCSY in fifth grade.
“Over my time in NCSY I’ve [made] so many different friends from all over the region,” he says. “And it was really special to be able to spend one last Shabbaton together.”
It was also Yehudah’s final Shabbaton as President of Midwest NCSY’s Regional Board – a position he wouldn’t have imagined he’d hold just a few years ago.
“NCSY Shabbatons over the years have made me feel more outgoing and confident in conversation,” he says. “Especially coming from small city and a small school, NCSY was an incredible way for me to be able to make connections with other people my own age who are like me.”
In the fall, Yehudah will be attending Brandeis University, where he plans to continue his leadership journey.
“If not for NCSY, I would not have the same public speaking skills, event planning skills, or network of friends that I have now,” he says. “I am so grateful for all the experiences I’ve had over the years.”
Rachel Jacobs (r.) may not remember how many Shabbatons she’s been on since she joined NCSY eight years ago, but she describes this Shabbaton as “the end of era well spent.”
Rachel, a senior at The Barstow School in Kansas City, has been involved in NCSY since fifth grade. Today she serves as a president of the Barstow Jewish Student Union (JSU) club and is also VP Logistics of the KC NCSY Chapter Board.
Rachel says there were many aspects of this Shabbaton she enjoyed, but the highlight was studying Chumash with her city director during free time on Shabbos.
“NCSY has a [unique] ability [to make] Judaism feel beautiful, relevant, and alive,” says Rachel, who will be attending Midreshet Lindenbaum in Israel next year. “It has absolutely inspired my love of Torah.”
Mina Brandes (l.) is a senior at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago. She joined NCSY in 9th grade and serves as VP Outreach of Midwest NCSY’s Regional Board.
Mina says there were many memorable moments on this final Shabbaton, from playing volleyball before Shabbos with teens from other chapters to the “accessible” and “applicable” learning sessions focusing on the Shabbaton theme, “Geula: What are you waiting for?”
In general, Mina says, over the years NCSY has helped her become “more spiritually connected.”
“By forming friendships with people who don’t necessarily [practice Judaism] the same way I do,” she says, “[this] really opened my eyes to different perspectives and gave me a deeper understanding of Torah.”
As an NCSY teen leader, Mina, who will be attending Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim in the fall, has shared her connection to Torah with teens across the region.
“It not for NCSY, I wouldn’t know what it felt like to be a leader as a Jewish teenager,” she says.
Madi Abelson (r.) is a senior at St. Louis Park High School in Minneapolis, where she serves as a president of its Jewish Student Union (JSU) club.
Madi joined NCSY in 9th grade, participating in JSU and at local NCSY/JSU programming. In her sophomore year she attended her first regional Shabbaton and has been coming back ever since.
“NCSY has strengthened my connection to Judaism and allowed me to make more friends,” she says. “I’ve absolutely loved my time at NCSY, and I’m so sad to see it end.”
Next year, Madi will be attending University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she plans to participate in Jewish programming on campus – and visit JSU as often as possible.
“NCSY has been one of my homes away from home, and I’m so grateful for everything it’s given me,” she says. “Thank you to absolutely everyone who made my experience what it is. I am forever grateful!”