Hundreds of community members came to show their support for Midwest NCSY and what Honoree Mr. Jonah Bruck called the organization’s “lifesaving work,” at its Annual Banquet on January 31 at the Bryn Mawr Country Club.

“NCSY is like Hatzolah. They are literally saving lives,” said Mr. Bruck who, together with wife, Jo, were the evening’s Guests of Honor. “They are reaching teens who don’t know what Judaism is. They are saving souls every single day.”

Regional Director Rabbi Donny Schwartz opened the Banquet by showcasing the organization’s many accomplishments in reaching teens of all backgrounds. He added that while 2015-16 has already been a “banner year” in terms of numbers, the organization’s real impact is on every teen as an individual.

A moving video, entitled “Because of NCSY,” illustrated this point. Teens from cities throughout the region, including Minneapolis, Kansas, St. Louis, Chicago and Memphis – the majority of them public school students – shared how they have become stronger, more committed Jews as a result of NCSY. Some have found meaning in Judaism for the very first time, while others have taken on mitzvah observance, including Shabbos, kashrus and tznius.

Perhaps most poignant was Aviva from Chicago who said, “I’ve been able to make it through public school as a Jew because of NCSY.”

Following the video, Ori Borochov, Midwest NCSY’s Teen President, told the audience about his personal journey at NCSY. Though Ori has attended Jewish elementary and high schools and has a strong foundation in what he called the Jewish “how-tos” and “what-to-dos,” he said he struggled with the “whys.”

“Why should I find davening meaningful? Why is Shabbat so special?” he asked. “Sometimes a Jew needs to learn outside of a classroom environment to fully appreciate Judaism. For me, as well as thousands of other teens, NCSY has been the catalyst for our desire for a greater, more fulfilling Jewish future.”

The highlight of the evening was the honoree tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Bruck, who have been active NCSY supporters for more than a decade and are well-known for their Ahavas Yisroel. In presenting the Brucks their award, Rabbi Moshe Isenberg, Midwest NCSY’s Executive Director, spoke of their unique ability to find the “pintele Yid” in every Jew.

In accepting the award, Mr. Bruck described the impact NCSY had on both of his sons, who were involved in NCSY as teens. In an uncharacteristic show of emotion, a teary-eyed Mr. Bruck expressed deep appreciation to Rabbi Israel Lashak, NCSY’s Senior Educator who had flown in from Texas for the Banquet, for the personal impact he has made on the Bruck family.

Three of the Bruck children then took the podium, each describing how their parents’ home is built on Ahavas Yisrael, and how supporting NCSY is in keeping with their belief that every Jew, no matter his background, is precious.

The Brucks’ son Akiva, who has been learning in Eretz Yisroel for the past three years, called on the audience to join his parents and NCSY in taking an active role in bringing all Jews back to their roots.

He retold a well-known story about Aish HaTorah Founder Rabbi Noah Weinberg, who took a group of rabbis to the crematoria at Auschwitz and made an impassioned plea to fight assimilation.

Paraphrasing Rabbi Weinberg, Akiva said, “If one man was so committed that he could destroy six million Jews, we need to be [equally] committed to rebuilding the Jewish People.” And that, said Akiva in a choked voice of his own, “is what NCSY is all about.”

Following the event, many guests commented on how inspiring the Banquet had been, showcasing the true need for – and impact of – Midwest NCSY on teens of all backgrounds throughout the region.

Photo credits: Ariel Ross