Alumni Spotlight

Rachel Shammah: The Girl Who Did It All!

From gymnastics to soccer, NCSY to the IDF, and Rutgers to the entire South America, it seems like Rachel covered all the bases on most people’s “Cool Things to Do Before I Die List,” but to her it’s just the tip of the iceberg! “I kind of just go with the flow, and when I find things that excite me, I just go for it! Who knows what’s next…” she says with a smirk.

Searching for Faith

Barry Berkowitz’s journey from the halls of East Meadow High School to the headquarters of Google.

Peace and Poverty in Putti Village: Spotlight on David Epstein

In 1999, David received a letter from Enosh, one of the leaders of the Jewish community in Putti Village, Uganda stating that he heard about how David is helping people move to Israel and teaching farming there. He explained how he was part of a small kibbutz of Jewish farmers in Uganda who could really use his assistance.

Dr. Jerry and Rivke Berkowitz: Hijacking Survivors and NCSY Supporters

As she was purchasing head phones to watch the in-flight movie, a man and a woman started pushing down the aisles toward first class yelling “Imshi! Imshi!” (“move out of the way”) holding guns and hand grenades.

Robert Williger: The Story of a Jewish U.S. Army Soldier in Afghanistan

In the beginning, he may seem like your average NCSY success story…That’s the end of the regular, ordinary part of Williger’s life. In 2007 he moved back to America and in 2009 he enlisted in the United States Army as a combat medic. What?! Yes, the U.S. army.

Yael Glouberman: UCLA’s Bridge Between NCSY and JLIC

At first glance she may seem like a regular girl from Southern California, but Yael Glouberman is already a Jewish leader in her own right.

From NCSY-er of the Year to Jewish Community Activist: Alumni Spotlight on Ira Piltz, J.D.

Picture this scenario:

You are a public school kid, interested in receiving a Jewish education, on the path towards becoming religious, and you want to switch to a Yeshiva high school to help further your Jewish growth. One parent is supportive of your decision, but the other is so opposed to you switching to Yeshiva that they file a petition for a ruling to keep you in public school.

What would you do?

Spotlight on Rachel Nadel of Anywhere in Israel

A common anxiety among the thousands of NCSY Alumni who travel across the globe to spend a gap year in the Holy Land after graduating high school is where they will spend their “free” Shabbatot. Many students don’t have any family in Israel, and the thought of not having a place to spend Shabbos is worrisome.

Birthright Alum Takes Hollywood: Alumni Spotlight on Andy Stein

If you follow the media at all, you definitely bobbed your head along to MTV Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick’s single that hit the Top 10 on various music charts before it was even officially released.  After TMZ leaked a 52-second clip, it went viral and instantly garnered over 40 million listeners around the world.

Thanks to the musical talents of Andy Stein, a Birthright alum from East Brunswick, New Jersey, Pivarnick was able to rebrand her image and regain her stardom after leaving the popular show.

Rabbi Alter Klein “ACE"s It with Adventure, Challenge, and Education

“Here’s a mattress - now build your own bed!”

This is what ACE students are told when they arrive at Moshav Tarom a small Moshav near Bet Shemesh, Israel, their campus and home for the year.