OU SENDS 300 NCSY BENCHERS TO JEWISH TROOPS AROUND THE WORLD IN TIME FOR HIGH HOLY DAYS
In time for the upcoming High Holy Days, and in response to the request of military chaplains, the Orthodox Union (OU) has once again shipped 300 copies of the famed NCSY Bencher to American Jewish soldiers stationed abroad.
The chaplains’ request was conveyed to the OU by Koshertroops.com, an organization dedicated to sending kosher food and holiday gift baskets to American troops stationed in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Qatar, Korea, Germany and parts of Africa; in addition to throughout the United States.
NCSY is the international youth movement of the Orthodox Union. For the last several years, the OU has sent hundreds of copies of the NCSY Bencher for use by the troops.
More than two million copies of The NCSY Bencher have been distributed since its first printing, making it one of the best-selling Judaica publications of all time. The iconic OU/NCSY publication contains all the mealtime blessings, prayers and songs recited everyday, on Shabbat and on Jewish holidays, as well as the blessings after a meal and a wide range of songs. It is an immensely popular choice for use at weddings, bar/bat mitzvah and other celebrations.
“Our Jewish chaplains and soldiers repeatedly request the NCSY Benchers because it is both translated into English and transliterated. This makes it very easy to use with little or no knowledge of Hebrew,” shared Ava Hamburger of Rockland County, NY, co-founder of Koshertroops.
David Olivestone, editor and translator of the bencher who recently retired from his position as senior communications officer of the OU, commented, “It gives us all a great feeling that we are involved, even in this small way, helping our troops observe Shabbat and the holidays.”
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