It is my pleasure to give you the chance to MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS AND CANDIDATE MEMBERS. Ben Zakkai is NCSY’s “Alumni Hall of Fame” and for 62 years our membership has annually, by secret ballot, selected new Alumni Inductees as well as up to twenty “candidate members” from among several thousand graduating NCSY high school seniors. I am delighted to share a brief biography of these fifteen extraordinary teen leaders as well as our newest Veteran members ( NCSYers who were not selected when they graduated high schools ) and Honorary Members (up to two individuals a year who were not NCSY members in high school, but have made “historic” contributions to NCSY).
Reading their stories is to be reassured that the NCSY magic still works as it has for so many of us for so many years!
https://ncsy.org/donate-ben-zakkai/
NEW HONORARY
Rabbi David Miller – Jerusalem, Israel. Nominated by Nathan Diament.
Rabbi Miller has headed Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel for half a century. He is an extraordinary educator, caring role model, and above all, a beacon of integrity.
He has inspired, strengthened and helped transform hundreds of Yeshiva University’s finest graduates through the years; yet most of them may not realize the charismatic warmth and extraordinary pedagogical skills they so cherish were first developed during his years as a beloved NCSY National Advisor.
David came to NCSY in College as a student in Rav Yosef Soloveitchik’s shiur and quickly became one of the most beloved advisors of his generation at both Regional and National conventions.
Honorary Membership in Ben Zakkai is reserved for those who have made an “historic contribution” to NCSY and Jewish Life even though they were never high-school members in NCSY. Rabbi Miller’s years of service as an Advisor before his Aliyah; his keynoting National Convention and speaking at NCSY Summer Programs during his years in Israel and teaching generations of future educators, including many of the current leaders of NCSY and the Orthodox Union have earned him well deserved consideration for this honor.
Rivka Yudin – Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. Nominated by Elliott Tanzman.
Rivka, the longtime Director of our iconic Michlelet Program, embodies the spirit and mission of NCSY Summer. For two decades she has served as far more than a Program Director. She is an active mentor, educator, role model, and leader whose influence has shaped countless teens, staff members, and families. Through unwavering dedication and a deep passion for Jewish growth and experiential education, Rivka has helped create transformative summer experiences that continue to impact participants long after the summer ends.
What sets Rivka apart is her ability to combine visionary leadership with genuine personal connection. She fosters an environment rooted in warmth, Torah, inspiration, responsibility, and excellence, while empowering both teens and staff to grow as leaders and strengthen their connection to Torah, Israel, and the Jewish people. Whether navigating challenges, building community, or mentoring future generations, Rivka consistently leads with integrity, heart, and purpose.
VETERAN
Rabbi Mordechai Burg – Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. Nominated by Linda Nathan.
When my husband Barry z”l, served as an NCSY Regional Director for the Long Island Region, we were privileged to meet hundreds of teenagers whose lives were meaningfully impacted by NCSY. Many of them have gone on to positions of leadership in Jewish Communal and Educational Life. Some came from backgrounds of minimal Jewish education, others were yeshiva students who honed their leadership and teaching skills in NCSY, few if any, had a stranger journey as our friend Rabbi Mordechai Burg.
Rabbi Burg is quite open about this story. He tells it at NCSY Summer Programs, at Aspire and 4G Shabbatonim, and in his classrooms at Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion. He was a jaded, apathetic, yeshiva high school student whose educators had little faith in his future. And yet, Barry believed in him.
Barry saw things in Mordechai that Mordechai didn’t see. Barry had faith in Mordechai that Mordechai didn’t have. NCSY provided a safe space for this yeshiva boy to find his voice, discover his abiding love for Torah, and become the incredibly effective educator and m’karev whose talks highlight virtually every major NCSY Program.
I have never nominated anyone for Ben Zakkai before, but I know how proud Barry z”l would be to have his NCSY’er in the “NCSY Hall of Fame.”
Rabbi Menachem Genack – Englewood, New Jersey. Nominated by David Luchins.
I first met the future Rabbi Menachem Genack at my first NCSY National Convention sixty-three Summers ago at the Pine View Hotel in South Fallsburg New York. The future CEO of OU Kosher was attending the event as a fellow teen participant, a proud member of Youth Commission Chair, Harold H. Boxer’s synagogue Chapter, the Forest Hills Jewish Center. Menachem was an erudite, passionate, witty, and committed to helping others as he is today.
Menachem went on to become one of the finest students in Rav Yosef Soloveitchik’s shiurs at Yeshiva University; a founding member of the Kollel and an eventually Trustee at what is now Touro University, and the prime architect of a fundamental rethinking of Kashruth supervision around the world.
Menachem became head of what is now OU Kosher in 1980 – He was already a beloved faculty member at NCSY events. And his deep belief in NCSY led him to emphasize NCSY in any discussion of Orthodox Union financial priorities throughout the decades.
The world may know Rabbi Genack as the confidant of an American President and United States Senators. They may revere him as a consummate synagogue Rabbi, and trailblazer in the creation of OU Press in his spare time. I have tried to nominate him for Ben Zakkai for almost half a century, but he always asked to wait until it was no longer a “conflict of interest” with his other Orthodox Union responsibilities. At Rabbi Genack’s retirement dinner I gently told him that the time had come to add him to NCSY’s Hall of Fame as one of our most distinguished alumni, who has done so much for NCSY and Klal Yisrael through the years.
Mayor Michelle Weiss – University Heights, Ohio. Nominated by Rabbi Tzali Friedman.
Mayor Michelle Weiss is deeply deserving of Ben Zakkai recognition. A distinguished NCSY Regional President , she graciously credits NCSY with helping supercharge her extraordinary career.
She served with incredible distinction during a time when the region was going through great turmoil. As regional president, she helped carry the Region forward and brought it to a place of tremendous strength.
Michelle fought valiantly to be able to go to seminary in Israel. She had to secure a deferment, which was not easy to come by, and she had to find the funding to make it possible. She did it, and she has been soaring ever since.
Today, Michelle is a very accomplished person. She is a devoted mother and grandmother, building beautiful generations. She also serves as the controller of Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, a major yeshivah day school, and she is the mayor of University Heights, Ohio.
NEW CANDIDATE MEMBERS
Jonathan Arwas – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
We are honored to nominate Jonathan Arwas for Ben Zakkai Membership. Since Anne Samson The Jerusalem Journey 2023, Jonathan has demonstrated consistent growth, strengthening his Shabbat observance, taking on tzitzit, and engaging in regular Torah learning. In an environment not focused on growth, he chose a different path and inspires others through his example. His commitment and sincerity stand out, and he continues to push himself forward as he prepares to attend Aish Gesher next year.
Itamar Azulay – West Hills, California
Itamar is a cornerstone of the NCSY/JSU Valley chapter, serving as president of El Camino Real’s club for three years and a dedicated board member. He leads with energy and responsibility, consistently recruiting and uplifting others. A two-time Anne Samson The Jerusalem Journey participant, as well as joining Aspire and the Gap-Year Israel trip, his growth is unbelievable. Despite his secular upbringing, he plans to learn at Derech in Israel next year, assisted by a Ben Zakkai Honor Society Ezra Ben-Zion Lightman Memorial Scholarship, to continue his Jewish growth.
Abigail Badalov – Great Neck, New York
Abigail Badalov had put in countless hours in building her JSU, taking it from five people to ip to forty people every week. She is also the only girl in her entire school who dresses modestly and keeps Shabbat; something so hard, but so inspiring for others to see. She is a true leader and is deserving of this nomination. She received a coveted Ben Zakkai Aviva Ghatan Memorial Scholarship towards continuing her journey.
Moshe Bernstein – West Hartford, Connecticut
Moshe Bernstein is a leader in the Greater Hartford chapter. He promotes NCSY events at his school and gathers his friends to attend shabbatonim throughout the year. He is always happy to give a Dvar Torah at any event and wows the crowd with his Torah knowledge and authentic Torah personality. Moshe is extremely excited to grow and thrive in his year at Yeshivat Har Etzion, assisted by a Ben Zakkai Rabbi Ralph Pelcovitz Memorial Scholarship.
Shani Bernstein – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Shani makes everyone feel seen. Despite difficult childhood challenges, she remained steadfast in Torah, turning pain into strength and deepening her connection to Hashem. She serves seniors in a Jewish home, is involved in Israel advocacy, and serves as chapter president. She leads initiatives and chose to attend Baer Miriam next year to grow in Yiddishkeit, despite pushback from her family. She will BE”H be continuing journey in Israel studying next year, assisted by a Ben Zakkai Mikey Butler Memorial Scholarship.
Mina Brandes – Chicago, Illinois
Her NCSY story is rooted in real moments like her first Chicago chapter Shabbaton in West Rogers Park during her sophomore year. Experiences like that helped spark something, but what’s even more impressive is what came next. She didn’t just attend—she took ownership. Whether serving as an 11th grade representative or stepping into the role of Vice President of Outreach on Regional Board, she consistently looked outward. Was always looking to get more people involved and grow through NCSY and Torah. Mina plans to attend MMY in the fall.
Adina Drexler – Denver, Colorado
Adina has been involved in NCSY since middle school but, most notable was the year she served as chapter president during a period when there was no full-time city director in her city. She worked extremely hard to ensure the chapter continued to run and worked closely with the interim director. She went on Hatzalah Rescue and through her participation in Chapter and Regional programs, grew as a role model and in her leadership, leading to her being selected as Regional President. She plans to attend a Machon Ma’ayan in Israel assisted by a Ben Zakkai Enid and Harold H. Boxer Memorial Award.
Gweneth Eiselsberg – Cleveland, Ohio
Gwen reluctantly came to NCSY in tenth grade to stop a friend who was badgering her to “find herself” and to “answer her religious questions” after a time of personal tragedy. Fast forward to this year’s International Yarchei Kallah where she mesmerized the whole room by describing her dramatic journey to Torah and Mitzvoth. Gwen will be attending Machon Ma’ayan assisted by a Ben Zakkai Mikey Butler Memorial Scholarship and then plans to attend Touro’s Lander College for Women, assisted by a coveted NCSY-Touro Sarah Rivkah and Dr. Bernard Lander Memorial Leadership Scholarship.
Margalit Goldkin – Memphis, Tennessee
Margalit began her journey with NCSY in 5th grade, and her strength, kindness, and genuine care for others have been evident ever since. After NCSY GIVE, she was inspired to grow in her Yiddishkeit. She has displayed tremendous personal religious growth. Serving on Chapter and Regional boards, she leads with heart, consistency, and a deep commitment to those around her, bringing light wherever she goes. She plans to learn in Israel at Tomer Devorah next year with the assistance of a Ben Zakkai Elaine and Rabbi Pinchas Stolper Memorial Scholarship, followed by Touro’s Lander College for Women.
Tommy Goloboy – Wellesley, Massachusetts
Tommy loves to learn Torah and has arranged quite a daily learning Seder for himself. Each day, he wakes up early to come to an orthodox shul in Newton and then stays afterwards to learn on his own – all before school! Watching Tommy take on more Mitzvos over the years has been truly incredible. He is now fully Shabbos observant and learns Rashi, Ramban, and Ohr HaChaim every day! He even wrote a 200-page (yet unpublished) book called The Palace of Torah containing his own original Torah ideas.
Eli Gozarkha – Encino, California
Eli has driven the growth of NCSY and JSU programming in the Valley, serving as president of both his chapter and Taft High’s JSU club for three years. He leads weekly programs and Shabbatons with initiative and impact, creating an energized, welcoming environment. His own growth is evident in his plans to attend ASTJJ and learn at Derech Ohr Sameach, assisted by a coveted Anne Samson Memorial Scholarship.
Ezra Jacobs – Overland Park, Kansas
Ezra is a leader who elevates every space he enters. Since joining NCSY in 5th grade, he has progressed to chapter president through various leadership roles. He leads with maturity and inclusion, making others feel valued. He steps up to challenges, follows through, and takes ownership. He is a visionary who drives improvement and strengthens his chapter every day. He plans to attend Orayta assisted by a Ben Zakkai Alan Kuperman Memorial Scholarship.
Ora Kideckel – Toronto, Canada
Ora is incredible. Her dedication to her Jewish growth is exceptional and inspiring. Ora isn’t growing up in a religious environment, yet she pushes through and finds ways to make her Judaism alive and meaningful. And she cares so much about her peers’ growth and involvement. One of the highlights was when Ora forfeited her spot on the Olami Launch Israel trip to visit seminaries. She gave up her spot, so one of her peers could attend and potentially take the step to attend MMY in the fall.
Noga Koslowe – Oak Park, Michigan
Noga is a charismatic young woman, an outstanding student, she has been accepted to the highly competitive Honors Program at Touro University’s Lander College for Women, assisted by a coveted NCSY-Touro Sarah Rivkah and Dr. Bernard Lander Memorial Scholarship, where she plans to attend, following a year at MMY in the fall, with the help of a Ben Zakkai Mikey Butler Memorial Scholarship.
Danielle Mashiah – Miami, Florida
We are proud to nominate Danielle Mashiah for Ben Zakkai Membership. As Southern NCSY Regional President, Danielle has demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and commitment to her Jewish growth. Despite facing challenges and limited support, she has grown significantly in her observance of Shabbat and tzniut and consistently uplifts those around her. Danielle leads with strength and sincerity, serving as a role model to many, and will be attending Baer Miriam next year, assisted by a Ben Zakkai Rabbi David Kamentsky Memorial Scholarship. Danielle also received a coveted NCSY-Touro Sarah Rivkah and Dr. Bernard Lander Memorial Leadership Scholarship.