104
locations in 6 countries worldwide
2,400+
teens attending summer programs
28,900
teens reached across all programs
Launched in August 2021, thanks to the generosity of Becky and Avi Katz, the Katz Family JSU Initiative is a four-part strategy to drive impact in JSU. JSU public school club meetings are an opportunity for teens with limited exposure to their Jewish heritage to strengthen their identity while connecting to Israel and Jewish opportunities. This multi-year gift hopes to increase student retention in JSU clubs and helps transition participants to higher impact programs. The funds also provide for the development of infrastructure to support growth and excellence in JSU through a new curriculum, training and support for staff, and centralized marketing and social media.
Dear Donor, The TJJ Ambassadors Poland trip impacted me in ways I could never have imagined. I’ve grown immensely in my Judaism, as a leader, and when I return home, I know I’ll have the tools to inspire the community around me. You gave me a gift that I will cherish forever.”
NCSY Relief Missions are transformative volunteer experiences that empower teens to make an impact and to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Teens gain a new perspective and connect to the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world) as they work on the front lines in the aftermath of natural disasters.
These life-changing missions are an effective form of leadership training. Teens learn to comfort those suffering not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. They return with the confidence and drive to take leadership roles in their own communities.
This past year a record-setting 45 missions were launched, more than doubling the number of trips year over year. In the coming year, NCSY missions will go to New Orleans, Houston, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Romania, and Rwanda, where we will work with the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.
NCSY and our partner organization Olami set out to increase the number of public high school seniors going to yeshiva and seminary by 25% in a single year. After months of discussion, working groups, and review of data, Olami Launch was born. Gap Year Specialists were hired to focus on public school seniors to create a “gap-year culture” in selected regions.
In addition to encouraging gap-year participation, Olami Launch began a fellowship for NCSY student leadership. The fellowship kicked off with a Utah retreat, leading into monthly Zoom sessions, and culminating in a free trip to Israel in February to experience gap-year options.
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Bashevkin, director of education for NCSY, launched 18Forty. This innovative media channel addresses contemporary issues openly and honestly, expanding conversation, deepening
understanding, and elevating the Jewish experience.
Each month, 18Forty explores a new topic through video, podcast interviews, articles, and recommended content.
Visit 18FORTY.ORG to learn more.
Nearly 2,500 teens joined NCSY’s record-breaking 2022 summer, each one having the Best. Summer. Ever. With 21 different summer options that serve diverse populations, NCSY has become synonymous with inspiring, meaningful, and fun teen summer programming. Whether teens spent their summer learning Torah, touring Israel for the first time, playing sports, doing chessed, boosting their resumes, or all of the above, NCSY offered incredible summer opportunities for everyone.
On July 13, teen campers from 21 programs, along with staff, alumni, and supporters, celebrated Yom NCSY. This annual event in Rishon LeZion was sponsored by the Foundation @ Cross River, a New Jersey-based financial services organization.
The event included a dynamic performance by Jewish music superstar Mordechai Shapiro, a delicious barbecue, and a siyum mishnayot—the culmination of collective learning undertaken by the summer program participants.
The siyum was a completion of Shas Mishnayot, with each program completing a portion of the learning as one community. The excitement was palpable when a student from the Kollel Mechina program finished the mishnayot. The event and siyum raised over $112,000 toward scholarships for next summer’s NCSY programs.
Sponsoring the special evening was an obvious choice for Phil Goldfeder, Cross River’s senior vice president of global public affairs. A leading financial technology company reshaping global finance and financial inclusion, Cross River is deeply invested in supporting initiatives that help communities drive positive change for a better future.
The Judah Fellowship is NCSY and JSU’s college campus initiative for public school alumni following their high school graduation. This cohort of passionate and driven NCSY and JSU alumni connect with their fellow alumni to ensure their smooth transition to Jewish opportunities on over 26 U.S. campuses.
