NCSY B'YISRAEL NEWS

Now in its 3rd year! •Kollel in Kharkov
For whom? Graduating 10-12th grade boys
When? July 23 - August 13
What? A three week, unforgettable experience in the Ukraine, learning, teaching, working with, and touching local Ukrainian kids. Visit the great Chasidic centers of old – Berdichev, Uman, Mijbijzh – connecting your own Jewish roots at the same time as those of the Jewish Kharkov community.
How? Call the NCSY office, 5667787 ext. 240.
Limited registration.•Option for 4-5 day trip to Poland (July 18-23) •Stay tuned for more exciting summer programming!

For The summer of your Life! •Imagine… Two glorious weeks living, learning, dancing, swimming & hiking
WHO? 6-11 graders Boys/girls SEPARATE LOCATIONS • Special “ETGARI/Survival” program for 9-11 graders
WHEN? July 9-22
WHERE? Girls: Keshet, Ramat HaGolan
Boys: Shadmot Mechola, Jordan Valley 
WHAT? Chugim, daily Torah learning, camping, water hikes, Shabbat NCSY ruach, sports, & more
Safety precautions and procedures per Ministry of Education and Chevra L’Haganat HaTeva
For more information and registration call the NCSY office 02-5667787, x240 
Rabbi Michael Fredman, Director Daniella, Ilana, Sara, B'not Sherut 22 Keren Ha'Yesod, POB 37015, Jerusalem (02) 566-7787 ext. 242 • fax: (02) 566-0156 ncsy_isr@netvision.net 

NESTO•Native English-Speaking Teen Olim
End-of-the-Year Banquet
On May 29, the end of the year banquet took place at the Israel Center. Just a year ago there was barely a minyan of kids who attended events, and the one or two madrichim who were still active were disenchanted. Just a year ago, NESTO had been without a director for over six months and there was no concrete budget. This past Tuesday night, in the middle of high school bagriyut, and with some parents not willing to let their kids travel at night, and with the commencing of papers due on university campuses, over 40 participants celebrated a year of growth, stability and excitement in NESTO.

The evening began with hors d’oeuvres on the upstairs balcony of the Center. After a welcome by Rabbi Silverman, Rabbi Michael Fredman, Director of NCSY B’Yisrael gave the kids a yashar koach for all their achievements.. Rabbi Menachem Persoff, Director of the Israel Center then offered greetings on behalf of the Center and spoke of the pivotal role that the Center plays in the facilitating of NESTO programs throughout the year.

Yoel Kahn set a more somber tone by reciting a mishaberach for those who are still healing from the fighting in the country, and then said Tefila L'Shlom HaMedina aloud. Sefer Tehillim was divided amongst the participants who recited their selected perakim in memory of those who have lost their lives over the course of these past eight months. The students then went down to the ZULA where we meet throughout the year.

The ZULA was no longer the ZULA we were used to, but rather a festively set banquet room. Balloons, colorful confetti, and tons of interesting and wonderful candles were laid throughout the room. Board members Yoel Kahn and Aviella Trapido gave a warm welcome to those assembled. A dinner buffet was served and the kids had a great time socializing and reminiscing about fun events over the past year.

As dinner came to a close Rabbi Silverman and board member Jeremy Saltan presented our graduating seniors with a present, and they in return presented the group with a dvar Torah and words of thanks to NESTO for all it has done for them over the past four years.

Rabbi Silverman and Ilana Milo presented each board member with a personalized leather siddur and thanked them for a productive year together. The new board was officially initiated into their new positions by members of the old board, to the applause of all present.

After dessert, the advisors were formally thanked, and a special presentation was made to Ilana Milo, our bat sherut. Prizes were awarded for the tackiest costume, and tacky prizes were raffled off to an enthusiastic group. Daniel Gindis gave a roaring end-of-the-year farewell speech, and every one had a chance to sing happy birthday to Katie Deutsch. Following bentching, the group was loathe to leave and spent the rest of the evening hanging out and enjoying one another’s company. 

It was a great way to end a great evening and we thank all those who helped to organize and coordinate the banquet for all their efforts.
The Zula will remain open on Tuesday nights until the end of June from 7:00-9:00pm. All NESTOers are welcome to stop in to get a break from their studying. Madrichim and food will be there each Tuesday night. 
The Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis tel. 566-7787 ext. 245 • fax: 561-7432 silvera@mail.biu.ac.il • www.zyworld.com/nesto Rabbi Avi Silverman, director
Daniel Stambler, asst. dir. • Ilana Milo, Bat Sherut