By: Esther Waks
The Awards Ceremony of the Jewish Summer Fellowship Ivy League Program Women’s division (J.S.F./I.L.T.S.E.) took place last Sunday.
Whilst enjoying a sumptuous luncheon, the students shared their experiences at the program and received awards for attending the 6 week learning program in upstate NY (Kingston).
The awards were given by Mrs. Baila Hecht, women’s program director, and Mrs. Malka Werde, long time teacher at the program and shlucha at Chabad of FIT. Attendees of the ceremony included Rabbi Shea Hecht from NCFJE; Tibor Spitz, a Holocaust survivor; members of the Kingston community and students.
“The awards ceremony was a great way to conclude the program after having been enriched and inspired. I really appreciated the practical lessons I’ve learned and plan on implementing them in my day to day life as well. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to study Judaism in such an uplifting and down to earth way!” Chana Jaimovich, engineering student at Florida Atlantic University, said.
The Jewish Summer Fellowship is a learning program run by the NCFJE in appreciation of Mr and Mrs Ira Rennert. It’s geared towards Jewish college students to help them connect to their heritage. The students get to spend 6 weeks breathing the fresh air of Upstate New York while attending classes and taking part in fun activities during breaks. They also receive a generous stipend at the completion of the program.
The men’s program director is Rabbi Yitzhak Hecht, Chabad of Ulster County, and the women’s program director is Mrs. Baila Hecht. Some of the instructors were Rabbi Shea Hecht, Rabbi Dayan Berel Bell, Rabbi Moshe Kalmenson (Chabad of CIA), Rabbi Mendel Karczag (Chabad of Woodstock), Rabbi Aaron Leib Raskin (Chabad of Brooklyn Heights), Mrs Malka Werde (Chabad of FIT), Mrs Cipi Junik and more. The madrichim and madrichot, Adam Benezra (men’s division), Oryah Bunder and Esther Waks (women’s division), impacted the students tremendously.
For more information visit: myjsf.org or @jewishsummerfellowship on instagram
Or call the NCFJE office; 718-735-0200
Anyone I speak to who attended the program have shared how solid and enriching it has been for them. Looks like a lot of fun.
Thank you to everyone who made this program possible! It gave me the necessary tools to be a proud and confident observant Jew.
Thank you so much to all who were part of making this program happen. Was such a meaningful and inspiring program.
That’s me and my friends!! This was such a great time and I know I will never give up all the amazing things I learned. I will never let down all the teachers and friends who taught me so much!
Such a positive and uplifting environment! The teachers are amazing and the girls are super inspirational, especially the madrichot! Highly recommend this program!
This was a fantastic program and a beautiful article! Nice momento of our summer <3 well done and thank you so much for teaching, supporting, and caring for us!
Hearing the passion in the comments makes me wonder why I never had that opportunity
NCFJE for caring and teaching and embracing these students!
Thank you to all involved in the program.
blown away by all we heard!
Rachaeli – so proud of your award 🙂
May you all be blessed!
Bryski’s Calif
To see that the program is still prospering. I remember how much it influenced me over 20 years ago.