December 22, 2003

OU Announces Appointment of Heidi Kuperman as Director of Development of New Jersey-Based Etz Chaim Region of National Conference of Synagogue Youth

Heidi Kuperman, a development professional with an impressive record of success at several Jewish organizations, has been named Director of Development for the Teaneck, New Jersey-based Etz Chaim Region of the Orthodox Union’s National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY). The Region encompasses the entire state of New Jersey; Rockland County in New York; and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Ms. Kuperman comes to NCSY from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where she was the Director of the Men’s Division. There she helped to raise more than $1 million annually for medical research. Prior to that position, she spent seven years at UJA-Federation of New York, raising funds for the organization’s network of local social service agencies, followed by service at United Jewish Communities, the successor to the National United Jewish Appeal, where she coordinated fundraising missions overseas for Jewish communities around the country.

NCSY serves Jewish youth throughout the United States and Canada in a variety of religious, educational and social programs. Because of these initiatives, which emphasize the beauty of Jewish religious observance, many NCSYers are attracted to a Torah lifestyle. Heidi Kuperman, who also made this transition, knows first-hand the challenges facing teenagers today and how easy it is for them to respond to the wrong influences.

“In high school, I knew people who were rebellious and who behaved in ways that put themselves and others at risk. Luckily I was able to resist their pressures. Many others weren’t as lucky as I was,” Ms. Kuperman declared. “As Director of Development for the Etz Chaim Region, I hope to provide the resources that will be used to bring young men and women closer to their Jewish roots, to bring meaning into their lives, and to give them the emotional support to resist negative peer pressure.”

In announcing the appointment, Eliezer Edelman, OU Executive Director of Administration, declared: “Heidi Kuperman has experienced both the religious and secular worlds and has chosen to be a Torah observant Jew. She knows first hand the challenges NCSY faces as we try to bring our youth closer to Judaism. She brings with her an unparalleled level of enthusiasm and passion that comes from her life choices, which will surely translate into outstanding results.”

Ms. Kuperman will seek support for the entire range of Etz Chaim activities, including outreach to public school youth through the Region’s Project Challenge and the national LAVE (Learning and Values Education) program; as well as for Shabbatonim, Hebrew Culture Clubs, Teen Torah Centers, chapter programs, missions to Washington and NCSY’s extensive variety of summer programs.

Heidi Kuperman can be reached at 201-862-0250, or heidi@njncsy.com.

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 275,000 products manufactured in 68 countries around the globe.

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