NCSY Israel was selected as one of seven recipients to receive the “Initiative for Zionist Innovation” (IZI) prize and grant from Nefesh B’Nefesh, the leading organization for North American Aliyah.
The IZI prize was created to support organizations that are run by olim and committed to strengthening and improving olim communities throughout Israel. Nefesh B’Nefesh runs this initiative together with the Steinmetz Herskovitz Family Fund and awards the IZI prize to a select number of organizations each year from numerous applicants.
NCSY Israel was established 2015 as a project of Orthodox Union, when founders Rabbi Michael Kahn and Rabbi Yosef Ginsberg realized the significant needs teen olim were facing which were being unmet by any other organization or community. Through its events and programs, the NCSY Israel youth movement provides teen olim with a network of relatable teens and understanding advisors in order to best facilitate Aliyah integration and Jewish religious inspiration and growth. The organization now services hundreds of teens in its five branches throughout Israel: Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Modiin, Bet Shemesh and Ra’anana.
Rabbi Yosef Ginsberg received the prize on behalf of NCSY Israel from Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, and IZI Prize benefactors Marty and Pearl Herskovitz. Ginsberg remarked “It is a true honor to receive this award for Zionist innovation. To be included in such a category gives us the feeling of a modern day pioneer bringing Zionism into today’s challenges and dilemmas. A continued thank you to Nefesh B’Nefesh and Marty and Pearl Herskowitz for all of their recognition, support, and partnership.”