Ben Zakkai Honor Society

The Ben Zakkai Honor Society was founded in June of 1965 to provide a “means of recognizing the distinguished achievements of NCSY Alumni who have demonstrated personal Torah growth and the promise of future meaningful service to the Jewish people and the Orthodox community.”. The society is named after the great Tanna, Rav Yochanan Ben Zakkai, who helped assure the survival and continuity of the Jewish people after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash by securing the safety of the Torah academy of Yavneh. Jerusalem was destroyed, but the study of Torah kept us alive through the centuries. The original ten Charter Members were presented at the 1965 National Convention and members ever since have been added in three ways: Ten to twenty graduating high school seniors are annually selected by preferential vote of the members as Candidate Members from among hundreds of graduating NCSYers. At the end of a year, those receiving a two-thirds vote of the membership receive full member status. Up to five NCSY alumni a year, who were not selected upon graduating high school, can receive Direct Inductee status by receiving a two-thirds preferential vote of the members. This is a particular honor, which is usually only granted to those who have become exceptional communal figures or Torah personalities. Honorary Membership is the highest honor that NCSY can grant to an individual who was never a member of the organization but who has, through many years of devoted service, earned this unique recognition. It has only been granted 40 times in 45 years and those so honored must receive a two-thirds vote of the membership. Suffice it to say that only eight have ever received this tribute the first time they were on the ballot. Ben Zakkai members are at the heart of contemporary Jewish life. Over forty of them serve on Boards of the Orthodox Union; almost one hundred live in Israel; over 97% of our over 900 living Members and Honorary Members are active in the Orthodox Community.