The Latest Newsletter

The Official Newletter of Ruach Tzafon USY USY Addiction! By: Maytal Saltiel, Membership VP Let me tell you a story about life in USY. Once there was this naive girl who most definitely didn't know what she was geting into onTuesday, when she showed up at Ohav Shalom. She walked in scared, not really knowing what to expect. All of a sudden she was welcomed in by the group, swallowed by loving people who accepted he, for who she was, not who they wanted her to be. She she kept going back every week. All of her friends knew exactly where she was every Tuesday from 7-8pm. She leared to depend on these people both emotionally and physically. All week she longed to be there with her closest friends. She ached, knowing there was still 2, 3 or 4 days left until she finally got to see the people that she depended on and loved. She was hooked. Everythin she did now brought up USY in her mind. So she decided, with careful thought and consideration, to ake the next step and run for board. IT was one of the best decisions of her lifel Being involved and part of the planing took her to a whole new level. She definitely could't leave now. USY had pulled her in, leaving no escape, it was in her blood now and no one could ever remove it. The programs, helping people in need, getting to know more about Judaism, and most of all, the smiling faced shemet every single week were stuck in her forever. Hi, I am Maytal and I am a USY addict. As you can tell, this story is about me, but I'm almost certain anyone on board can tell you the same story with a few variations. I am also totally certain that this could be your story. USY is a great lace to make friends, to learn about other people like you, to help others, but most of all, to learn about yourself. I highly encourage everyone to get involved and to form a bond that you may never have known was there. I also encourage you, if you don't yet feel comfortable around everyone in USY, to bring a Jewish friend, someone you can meet new people with. It is always easier to be in a new crowd with someone else that you already know. Plus the more people who join USY, the more fun we can have together as a group. Friendship is one of the most important aspects in life, so broaden your horizons and meet someone new. Who knows> This new person may end up being your best friend in the long run. Make suggestions, I want to do everything I can to make USY a better experience for each of you. If I can bring a smile to even one face, I'll feel that my job has been fulfilled.
Regional Board By: Sarah Kay: Executive VP I began my summer with a feeling of excitement. I was really excited for two reasons. First, now schoo, no work...fun! Second, I was about to begin my job as regional religion/education Vice President for the Tzafon Region. This was a really exciting feeling for me. I would get to help out the region and so something that I love at the same time. Over the summer, I worked on many projects for encampment. I began with the alternative service thatI led at encampment. I worked hard and was able to pull of the service, well. I also worked on assigning services for encampment. Although this might sound like an easy job, it wasn't. There aren't many people who are willing to lead services at the first convention of the year. I realized that something had to be done to make leading dervices a fun thing. For this reason, the board decided to center the study theme around prayer. I continued on through the year, assigning services, teaching about prayer, and most importantly, helping to lead the region to where we are today. Being on regional board has been a great experience for me so far. It has been far from a job that takes and does nothing for. It requires a lot of responsibility but its worth it. I encourage you all to consider running for 2001-2002 Tzafon USY Regional Board. If you have any questions, feel free to talk to me or any other board member.
SATO CORNER By: Maxine "Pokie" Rosenberg: SATO VP For the past coule of years, on Martin Luther King Weekend, USY has hel T.O (Tikun Olam) Day. It is a day and a half convention full of community volunteering and rasing money for those in need, Not only was it a great weekend to get involved in the SATO aspect of USY but I think that I can speak for everyone that went, that it was an amazing weekend. To start off the SDunday morning, people that raise dogs for the blind (seeing eye dogs), brought in three adorable dogs and talked to us about the process that dogs go through to become a seeing eye dog. We learned about how we can become trainers and how to help out the blind. They we heard a lady speak about homelessness and what may cause it. After we slept a little, some people went to a nursing home to play bingo and did other things in the community. On Sunday night, there was a dance-a-thon, and we raised a lot of money. The weekend opened people's hearts and minds a little more. Those of us who went this year had a great time and we hope that more of you come next year. Remember that helping people out is the best feeling in the world. SHALOM
Internationals! By: Alina Bricklin, Communications VP This year's International USY Convention was held in Boston, MA from December 24-28th. Home of Harvard, baked beans, and Quincy Market, Boston is one of the liveliest cities on the East Coast. Tzafon region's December trip began, for most, on December 23rd, at the annual Scherer Dance. After spendinga night at the SAAJCC, we were off. Just three hours ater hour departure, approximately 55 Tzafoners and staff found themselves at the gorgeous and humongeous Copley Place Marriot. After dropping off our luggage, we enjoyed our first two hours of Chofesh, free time, by visiting friends from summer camp, Wheels, and Pilgrimmage. This was a "big to do," because people came from as far as Canada, California, and even Israel! The day continued with opening session, a study session, dinner, ice breakers, and finally, summer reunions. This was so exciting. We all reminisced about our summers, shared pictures, and luaghed at inside jokes. We teased staff about "things they never knew we did"... or at least we didn't know that they knoew! The following few days wee filled with lots of excitement. The study theme, freedom, was developed through study sessions, guest speakers, and discussions with our peers. Several time throughout the five days, we were able to pursye our interests on topics ranging from inter-dating and intermarriage, to planning for college, to basic rights. On Tuesday, the 1,200 Teens and 300 staff departed to engage in sightseeing. Some visisted local colleges, others headed to the JFK memorial and the science museum. The following day, everyoneone partook in a huge SATO project. We held an indoor carnival for innter-city kids. Some of us dressed up as clows, others ran booths. Still others walked around with children, in the gue banquet hall that we lovingly trasnformed into a child's wonderland. That afternoon, international elections were held; in the evening, the final dinner dance occured. Though preparation time was short, we all looked glamorous and had a great time! Overall, the convention was a success. However, the fun wasn't over yet. From Thursday until Sunday, 20 Tzafoners traveled to Portland, Maine. On Friday morning, we went snowtubing and that night welcomed Shabbat with out friends. After spending a night at home hospitality, we went to shul on Saturday morning, followed by llunch and a study session. At night, we returned to Boston were we had the post-convention dance. The following morning, we returned home in order to ring in 2001. The entire week, although exhausting,was exhilarating, and next year's Internationals in Washington D.C. promised to be just as much fun, maybe even better!
Hear the Megillah By: Daniel Scher: President I sincerely recommend coming to Ohav Shalom on March eigth in order to hear the reading of the Megillah. I already know my reading by heart! (No, I'm not a dork; I know it by heart because thisis the third time that I have chanted it for the congregation.) It is hard to keep from laughing up on the Bimah when the crowd goes wild blotting our Haman's name. The craziness of the celebration is exciting and filled with the name of our chapter, Ruach (spirit); howeever, the story of the meaning behind thw wackiness is very interesting. As we all hopefully know, Hmah decreed the annihilation of all the Jewish people on one day. The Jewish people reacted by fasting for three days and begging G-d for help in rescinding the decree. The question that I had with the was: Why did the Jews not gather weapons and create an army against Haman? Why did they weaken themselves by fasting and praying to G-d? When enemies rise against Israel to destroy the Jews, it is a sign that the Jewish people have not been faithful and diligent in following G-d's commandments. Though the enemies do not consciously recognize the fact that G-d has left the Jewish people, they sense it intuitively. The days of Purim are not days of praise, rather they are days of feasting and rejoicing. We celebrate in a manner with such enthusiasm and ruach to show that our aim was achieved. G-d saved our physical lives from the hans of our enemies.
Mishloah Manot By: Jessica Levine, Rel/Ed VP Purim is a Jewish festival celebrating the savior of the Jews by Ester. The story of Purim is not mentioned in the Torah, but rather in the Scroll of Ster or Megilat Ester. There are many customs associated with this joyous occasion. One of these traditions is the distribution of Mishloach Manot. Mishloach Manot or baskets filled with treats, sweets, and holiday blessings. Sweet fruit, candy, pictures, groggers, and nuts are common fillers for these goody baskets. These baskets are a form of chairty as they aare often donated to hospital patients, elderly people, and less fortunate. They are also usually given to friends, family, and neighbors. At Winter Kallah in Poughkeepsie this year, all of the USYers participated in the making of hundreds of Mishloach Manot. Each USYer creatively decorated a paper plate and then filled it with food and presents. This SATO program was an amazing success. Each chapter was able to take home large amounts of these baskets. On March 2nd, Ruach Tzafon will deliver these baskets to the residents of the Ohav Shalom Apartments. They delivery of these baskets will be a part of the program that nigh in which the USY'ers will be leading the evening sevices at the apartments. The program prmoised to be fun for all who attend!!! I hope that it will be a gigantic success.