give, Author at GIVE - Page 7 of 20

Day 8: Bnei Tzion Hospital, Army Base, & Kotel

Day 8 on GIVE was amazing! We started off the day on the bus to Haifa! We went to the Bnei Tzion Hospital there. A GIVErs sister started a project called Project Hug. She raised and collected money for the Bnei Tzion hospital instead of having a bat mitzvah or getting any gifts. It was a beautiful thing to see and motivated us to continue giving. Afterwards we went to an army base in the Shomrom! A חיל (soldier), gave us a speech about the different weapons they use and what the protocol is. We then had the opportunity to meet different soldiers and take pictures with them. Girls gave them snacks and a few even gave balloons. It was very exciting for all the girls to have the unique experience to interact with Israeli soldiers. Once all that excitement was over, we had more to look forward to! We finally made it to the Kotel!!!!!!

It was a very intense and powerful experience for many girls. It was some of their first times and others have been there before. Either way, girls were in awe of the beauty of the Kotel and really felt connected. Girls cried, laughed, and davened. Thank Gd we had the privilege and opportunity to go to a place where many of our ancestors weren’t able to go. The girls recognized that, and were so thankful!

After a long a powerful day, we are looking forward to tomorrow!!

Day 7: Nefesh Bnefesh, Blind Factory, Leket, & Blind Museum!

The start of our day today on GIVE was truly a unique one. Together, we all woke up at 5:15 to travel to Ben Gurion Airport.

Why you might ask? We went to greet a Nefesh B’nefesh flight!!! 200 new Olim made Aliyah today and GIVE had the privilege and unique opportunity to support them and greet them! As each bus arrived, filled with olim, we all sang and cheered for them! We congratulated the olim alongside other summer programs and citizens of Israel! As we sang together B’yachad, you could look around and see people smiling, dancing, and even crying tears of joy. The smiles on the faces of the new olim were like no other. You could just feel the simcha, passion, and love in the area! Although we didn’t know the new olim personally we all still felt a sense of pride towards them and accomplishment. God willing one day we will all get to join them!

Bus 1 : We then made our way to Leket! We packed over 250 boxes of clothing in under two hours to send to poor families!! All the girls showed intense and great team work! It was great! After lunch and having chanurot in Ra’anana, we went to the blind museum.

The blind museum allows for people to feel what it’s like to be blind while in the museum. It’s dark and you need to use your other senses to get around the museum.

We learned that we can never judge another person and we need to be grateful that our bodies work! It’s a gift we take for granted!

We all had a fabulous day on GIVE! It was filled with inspiration, Chessed, and fun!

It just keeps on getting better and better everyday!

Bus 2: We then traveled to the blind factory. The blind factory is a factory where the blind, deaf, and mute work. They put labels on products, organize different metals and tools, and seal products. We all sat down at one of the stations and began to work side by side with the disabled adult. It was extremely fascinating to see how they can work. The blind was able to work 100% sufficiently, despite his/her lack of sight. Seeing this allowed for us to appreciate what we have and to realize we can do anything if we try hard enough. Girls started to communicate with the adults who were blind, deaf, and mute by writing a Hebrew word into his/her palm. There is always a way to communicate with someone to get to know them! It was very special to experience something so different then what we are all use to. We then split up and half the bus went to help organize a library and sort the books, while the other group went to a facility that helps abused women and their children. The building was stunning! We played, did arts and crafts, and just hung out with the kids! They were adorable! It was so moving to see the time and dedication these people give the abused victims just so that they can live more comfortable lives!

Day 6: Nursing Home & Shalva (Bus 1). Yad Lekashish & Aleh (Bus 2)

What a day on NCSY GIVE today! After having an awesome weekend up north doing team building activities, we finally made it to Mevaseret! It was officially our first day of Chessed! We spent the whole day around Jerusalem! Bus 1 started the day off by going to a nearby nursing home. As we sang, blew up balloons, and danced for the elderly, many smiles were forming. Not only did it bring happiness to the elderly to have guests but it was very special for the GIVErs to see how much joy they brought to THEM! Afterwards we headed to Gan HaPa’amon to have a delicious lunch. Later that day we went to visit the organization, Shalva. Shalva facilitates children and adults with disabilities from birth until age 21. The facility is open 24/7. We met with a man named Yossi Samuels. Shalva was started because of Yossi and his condition — he is blind and deaf. Yossi made everyone on GIVE feel like the sky is the limit in what you want to do. Despite Yossi’s condition he learned how to speak and read sign language. He also works and rides horses. What the people of Shalva accomplish was extremely inspirational and touching. After we got a tour of the colorful and fun building, we got to hear the Shalva band! They were so talented! We were all in awe as to what these kids could do! As the kids and adults of Shalva performed, GIVE danced along with the rest of Shalva! We then got onto the buses and drove to a place called Maaleh. It is a film making school. We watched a film that a women created about a personal life story. She explained to us how the process works and what it takes to make a successful film in the school.

Bus 2 began their day by going to Yad Lekashish — a facility for elderly foreign individuals to provide an opportunity for them to have different working opportunities. Such as, jewelry making, metal melting, and painting. The girls got to meet these individuals and see their beautiful artwork! After meeting them, the girls got to go to a gift shop that contains all the various artworks created by them. They then met bus 1 for lunch in Gan HaPa’amon! Later that day, the girls heard from Neil Lazarus, from “Awesome Seminars”. He spoke about the current political situation in the Middle East. Following that, bus 2 went to a place called Aleh. Aleh is a home for individuals with physical disabilities. The girls sang, danced, and played guitar for both children and adults. After all that excitement, both buses ended of the day with a big boom! We had a huge yummy meal at Papagayos!!!!! After a long day filled with dancing and smiles it’s time to call it a night!

We can’t wait for tomorrow!!!

Day 5: Rosh Hanikra & Repelling

Written by GIVEr: Liat Levkovich

Today was a crazy day on Give! The fun began with our packed suitcases and happy faces, early in the morning. We took advantage of the davening our last day in Tzfat, looking over the beautiful scenery. Then we had breakfast and had our first actual chabura, a learning group with an advisor, studying about middot and bonding with a small group of girls.

We were on our way to tour Rosh Hanikrah. We viewed a short movie about this extraordinary place. Many photos were snapped and Hashem’s wonders and beauty was so evident there. Afterwards we had an unique lunch of pizza with various toppings and it was an “all you could eat buffet.” This surely filled our stomachs for the unexpected endless trip to a mountain in Mikrat Keshet.

We all walked along a rocky trail until we were welcomed by the rappelling course. Everyone was a little nervous and excited for this adventure, we knew this would be forever remembered. People started putting on helmets and harnesses, and the voices became louder. While everyone was cheering for their friends, they conquered their fear of heights. But that wasn’t all. We did not expect our trek back to be so difficult. We carefully glided, supported each other, and saw beautiful views of Israel’s north; no picture could possibly capture the precious nature. There was a very steep wall, and we had to hold on to the strong wire. After much conviction and determination, we successfully finished one of the hardest trails Israel has to offer. We then celebrated with delicious ice cream and refreshing water.

We have finally arrived in Mevaseret, after many hours on the bus becoming closer with our GIVE sisters. We had a gourmet late dinner and are ready to unpack and sleep. We can’t wait for a fun filled day tomorrow, filled with Chessed in the holy city of Jerusalem.

Day 4: Shabbos & Motzei Shabbos!!

Shavuah Tov!! Shabbos in Tzfat this weekend was truly one like no other!!! The whole GIVE family looking their finest for the holy Shabbos kodesh, as we went outside to sing kabalat Shabbos the sun was slowly setting. The view of the Tzfat mountains and sunset was the perfect way to bring in Shabbos. Later that night we had a rocking tisch with snacks, singing, and shtick! On Shabbos day we had chaburot discussing what Shabbos means to us and why “unplugging” on Shabbos is beautiful! Later in the day, the GIVE girls had time to relax and hangout with all their new and old friends. We then went on a walking tour in the Old City of Tzfat! We learnt about the history of it and visited one of the Shuls that has been there for 600 years! Next, the group walked to a park in Tzfat and sat on the floor in a circle as we ebbed Shabbos away. As we sang slow and inspirational songs, we again watched the beautiful sunset behind the Tzfat mountains. Once Shabbos ended we walked down into a dark cave on the bottom of the park. As we entered singing, there were little candles lit around us. The echo of our voices singing in the cave gave each and everyone of us the chills. It was extremely moving and uplifting. The whole GIVE family really felt united. Rabbi Nissel then came as a guest to make havdalah and speak to the group. It was such a treat!

The night ended with us going BOWLING!!! We had a blast! We bowled, danced our hearts out, and had a Melava Malka! What a weekend!! We are looking forward to an even better week to come!!

Day 3: Tzfat Art Gallery & Kayaking in Kfar Blum!

It was another successful, exciting and crazy day on GIVE!! The day began with everyone dividing up into their chaburah groups. It was so great to see everyone get to know their chaburah leaders and friends who are going to be learning with them this summer! Since we are in Tzfat for the weekend, we then walked to the Art Gallery in Tzfat. How could you not?! The girls got to walk around and shop with ice café in their hands through the various pieces of beautiful art work and jewelry Tzfat has to offer! Some girls also chose to go to the famous candle store that’s in the Old City of Tzfat. The amazing artwork and vibe Tzfat gives off is truly incredible! As all the girls bought their goodies, we hopped onto the buses to head towards Kfar Blum for kayaking! We all splashed and swam through the cold refreshing water until we made it to the end. It was quite the adventure and nice to finally be in the water! As Shabbos approaches we are ready to spend an inspirational and beautiful Shabbos in the holy city of Tzfat! We are looking forward to it!! Shabbat Shalom!

We Have Arrived!!

GIVE 2015 has arrived in the holy land of Israel!! It’s hard to believe that we are beginning the Best. Summer. Ever!!!!!

As we left Ben Gurion Airport we hopped onto the buses and headed up north. We all enjoyed a delicious meat dinner!

As all the girls sat together to eat, we played an exciting ice breaker game to get to know each other a little better! We then got back onto the buses and headed up to Tzfat to our lovely hotel! We are all so psyched to begin our very first full and awesome day tomorrow! You can feel the excitement in the air!!

Welcome to NCSY GIVE 2015!!!!!!

Welcome to the NCSY GIVE 2015 website!!

We are only two and a half short weeks away from the BEST. SUMMER. EVER!! We are all so excited for it to begin!! Throughout the summer you will be able to check back to this website to view photos, videos, and blog posts!

Make sure you check back frequently and also follow us @ncsygive on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook!!

We cannot wait for this crazy and awesome journey to start!!

Guest Blogger: Tali Weg

It’s been a little over two weeks since GIVE 2014 came to a close, and most of us GIVE girls have returned home.We all started school and gotten back into our regular swing of things. Although, we might be distracted with work, school, or seeing our friends again, we are all still connected to Israel and the experiences we had there. I believe I speak for all the girls on GIVE when I say that this year is going to be different. Give has impacted my life so much, and I know this year, I’ll be more thankful for what I have, I’ll see the hand of Hashem in everything I do and in everything that happens to me, and most of all, and most importantly, I’ll continue growing in my Judaism and strive to make an impact on the world.

On GIVE we visited a special needs community, where the high functioning special needs adults put on a whole production for us, with singing, dancing, and music. This was the most incredible experience of my summer, because when they got up into that stage, they were so incredibly happy and full of joy, even though they have it so much worse than we do. The smile was never wiped from the faces of any of the special needs adults, and they were so much happier than we usually are. We complain, and groan about this or that, but these amazing adults and teenagers were just thankful they were alive, and would continuously sing to and thank Hashem for that. At the end of the production, the lead singer in the play stood up and gave us all a bracha. She told us to remember to always be happy and not let anything bring you down. That moment really put everything in perspective for me. It made me realize how much I’ve taken advantage of what I have, and how much I have to be thankful for. That woman taught me that no matter what, in any situation, you have to stay positive and trust in Hashem that everything will work out.

That is the main lesson I took away from GIVE. I’m sure other girls have different ones but that is mine, and since I have gotten home I have been trying to always remember that. So when I’m busy with a lot of school work (Junior year!!!) or when something might be bothering me and it seems like it’s the end of the world, I try and always remember that Hashem has my back, and I have to trust in Him and believe that everything will work out. It’s so important to stay positive and have faith in Hashem. This is one of hundreds of amazing things I learnt on GIVE. GIVE truly changed my life and changed me as a person, and I am so incredibly thankful for that. I cannot thank everybody enough who made it possible, and my incredible GIVE family will always be remembered and held closely to my heart. Thank you everyone and I love you all so much!

Guest Blogger: Jolie Davies

Hey everyone!! My name is Jolie Davies, I’m 16 from Boca Raton, Florida. I’m pretty camp sick right now, so let’s reminisce on one of my favorite moments that actually became a chessed. Towards the end of camp, on one of our last nights in Jerusalem, we decided to do the beloved flashmob. Everyone had been so eager to finally do it and especially now that we would be doing it in one of the outdoor malls in the holy city! We got to the spot where we were gonna break out, there were giant speakers and everyone was casually scattered in the square. Then the music came on blaring through the speakers and 2 colors started the dance with all of their energy. Ya, we were a little off beat. But, then everyone came in by color and I like to think we became synchronized. There was a crowd forming around us, everyone had their phones out. We definitely made it to at least 87 people’s snapchat stories. All different kinds of people were watching it, but the climax was yet to come. People started joining in on our simcha dancing! My friends and I were dancing with three moms to Hashem Yimloch! They told us we made their week. People had kids on their shoulders and were dancing in the middle of the circle. There was a group of what looked like too cool twenty-something year olds but when ‘Happy’ came on they were hyped. They asked me to teach them the dance while their boyfriend was recording it. Am Yisroel came together in the most fun and random way possible. This is one of my favorite memories of GIVE 2014 because we did this flashmob as a funny thing for ourselves, but it became a chessed for everyone there. People came up to us that it’s been a very hard week for them because of all the deaths in the war and this brought light into their lives. One of the most powerful things about our people, is our unity. I’m so happy that I got to witness the Jewish nation come together in a very much needed time.