Someone told me Erev Tisha B’Av “My whole life I was waiting for a reason to believe in G-d. Tonight I finally got that.” We had such a meaningful Tisha B’Av. Although it was sad I cannot even explain how many of our eyes were opened up to a new spiritual world. I think I…
USS Midway and the San Diego Zoo Even though Monday fell right before Tisha B’Av, TJJW Bus 4 still managed to visit two major San Diego landmarks while still having time for a morning workshop and to prepare for the Tisha B’Av fast. I don’t consider myself as a good writer, so I’m going to…
Saturday: Today was the first Shabbat I have ever observed, and to say the least it was many others first time as well. I Truly did not know what to expect; yes I knew what Shabbat was all about after learning about it long ago in her new school, yet I never actually celebrated the…
Today was wonderful! The day started with an exciting dance party on the bus, which turned a three hour bus ride to what felt like minutes. When we got to our location-a salt water tubing, everyone was ready (after chugging a bottle of water of course). We all dragged around our huge tubes down to…
Today, we started our TJJ journey early in the morning. We started with a thrilling jeep tour of the beautiful Sedona. Its red rock and peaks made for a scenic tour with our cowboy jeep drivers who provided interesting tidbits, all while driving the off road vehicles. From there, we made our way toward the Grand…
Hey guys my name is Mordi Spero and I’m really pumped to party it up the next two weeks out west with you guys! I’m 22, grew up in Baltimore, and an currently going for marketing at the university of Maryland university college, while working for NCSY greater washington and studying part time in the…
Sup, yo. My name is Avi Schwartz, and I’m suuuuuper excited to be YOUR advisor this summer on TJJW! I was born in Queens, moved to Long Island, moved to Boston, moved to West Orange, NJ, lived in Israel for a year and a half, and now live in New York City. So you can…
Malya Levin has an alter ego: she’s the unofficial mother of the bus. Jokingly called “Mom,” she is always there for you with a smile, a listening ear and a hug (well… only a shomer hug for the guys). Malya is originally from Charlotte, NC, but has been living in Baltimore, MD for the past…
Our awesome Co-Director, Rabbi Yitz Levi, is always there for you with a smile, a joke, and good piece of advice. This is Rabbi Levi’s first year on TJJ but definitely not his first experience with NCSY. Rabbi Levi has been the City Director for Philadelphia and Cherry Hill NCSY for the past four years. He…
Rabbi Arieh Friedner is not only the amazing Co-Director of TJJW Bus 4, but a world renown Pan troglodytes specialist, as well. Fun fact: the Bonobo chimpanzee species was named after him upon his recent discovery- Bonobo was his given name at birth. About 14 years ago, he left his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee to fulfill his…