From the Desk of Rabbi Samuel Ross

Shalom!

It has been quite some start to the 2016-17 year! Vancouver has the energy and vibrancy to be a region all to itself!

Record numbers over Rosh Hashana, a spectacular Shabbaton in Vancouver, a first of its kind adult only event, back to regular Wednesday night dinner and discussions and much more besides, please see the pictures below and enjoy!

Vancouver Shabbaton

The final weekend of October was super eventful as 115 teens from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Seattle enjoyed a wonderful Shabbaton full of inspiration, Jewish pride, friends and fun! With a delicious Shabbat dinner and lively services at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue, the students had time to mix and mingle during Friday night activities. Rabbi YY Rubinstein proved as hilarious as he is inspirational, and on Shabbat morning addressed the entire Synagogue.

We bid shabbat farewell and welcomed in the new week with a Saturday night cruise! Sunday was packed with more food and activities! The students were kept fed, happy and smiling. It was a great first local Shabbaton!

See more pics here

Scotch Tasting Event

The weekend was also eventful for 30 special guests of NCSY! October 30th we celebrated the Spirit of Youth , the first event of its kind, with an afternoon of whisky tasting & gourmet hors d'oeuvres, hosted by Marty and Louise Wright . They were so fortunate to have had their exclusive event led by world acclaimed speaker and author Rabbi YY Rubinstein . Rabbi Rubinstein is a regular broadcaster on BBC National Radio, and is presently compiling, "The Queen's Lives: The Secret Diaries of Queen Elizabeth II," under the Queen's approval. A lively bagpiper added to the afternoon.

LIVE2GIVE

Live2Give is a new Social Action program that will meet every other week on Sunday's beginning in November to make a difference around Vancouver. This can qualify for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. To find out more about Live2Give or the Duke of Edinburgh Award, email Gila.

Whistler Shabbaton

Next up is a winter Shabbaton retreat in Whistler, December 2-4
It seems this is a going to be a popular one, as 80% of the spots sold out since registration was opened last night!

Highlights:

Fun, inspirational and enjoyable retreat in beautiful Whistler!
Top activities including skiing and snowboarding!*
Awesome options for non skiers too!
Luxurious accommodation at The Tantalus Lodge!
Awesome advisor team from The Vancouver Shabbaton!
Amazing speaker,"The skiing Rabbi"; Rabbi Leiby Burnham from Detroit!
Gourmet Maple Grill Catering!
Earlybird pricing through November 7!

* Skiing/snowboarding and exact activities dependent on snow levels, the Visitor Centre Whistler is predicting snow, and for the mountains to be open well before the Shabbaton.

* Please note that the hotel is sold out of all suites for the weekend of the Shabbaton, other than the ones that NCSY booked in the summer, so once we sell out the spots, unfortunately there is no way to get extra spots at this stage.

Summer Programs

It may only be early November, but 10 Vancouver teens have already registered for The.Best.Summer.Ever!

Teen Leadership Board

In VIP style the NCSY leadership board began planning for a fantastic year! Kickoff was a VIP board day which included a downtown limo scavenger hunt.

Regular board meetings are taking place and lots of amazing stuff is happening and being planned!

See more pictures here

National Yarchei Kallah in New York

Yarchei Kallah is a week long trip over winter break and is the highlight of the school year for so many teens as they learn, shop in NYC, and make friendships with 300 teens from across North America.

This years trip from Vancouver is sold out.

Junior NCSY

People always ask what does NCSY stand for? Not even rain Can Stop You!
Junior NCSY and Bar/bat mitzvah class built a sukkah for Yaffa house.

Torah High off to a great start!

This year Torah High has a bunch of new course options.

We have already seen teens from the following list of schools, it isn't too late to join!

Steveston London Secondary School
Hugh Boyd Secondary School

Lord Byng Secondary School

Magee Secondary School

Kitsilano Secondary School
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
Mcmath Secondary School
Mcroberts Secondary School
York House School
King David High School
Prince of Wales Secondary School

Prince of Wales Secondary School TREK program

West Vancouver Secondary School
Macneill Secondary School

Here are the courses we are happy to offer, subject to interest.

Hebrew Language
Epic Jewish Eats
Business Track
Management Fundamentals
Philosophy

Jewish Studies
Israel Advocacy
Jewish Ethics
Israeli Dance
Tzedaka Project

The Tzedaka Project

The Tzedaka Project is a unique project, just being launched! Each participant will be given money and then allocate it to a charity of their choice! The program is designed to show participants the impact of their choice allocation to the charity.

The focus of the project is to connect with the concept of tzedakah to make it a part of our weekly or monthly lives, thus developing future philanthropists. We will be focusing on creating the ideal experience of giving.

Click here to learn more about the Tzedaka Project

SEE OUR EVENTS CALENDAR

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Samuel and Gila Ross

Vancouver NCSY

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