Reva made Aliyah from West Hempstead, NY with her family in 2012 as a 5th grader.
“It was a trial period,” says Reva. “But us kids made really good friends, and everything worked out, so we stayed.”
An accidental meeting on a bus with an old friend brought her to NCSY. “My best friends come from NCSY,” says Reva. “They’re all different ages, and it doesn’t matter. What brings us together is our shared experiences as English speaking olim. A lot of people come to NCSY without knowing anyone, and because everyone is there to meet people, you can make friends really quickly. It’s easy with all the fun activities. We have incredible shabbatons all over Israel, with the best activities. They are always changing things up and you never know what to expect.”
When asked how NCSY strengthen her Jewish identity, Reva says, “NCSY showed me what a bracha it is for me, as a Jewish girl, to live and belong in Israel. The amazing advisors taught us how to appreciate that bracha every day.”
Reva comes from a family with a history of activism, with her father on the advisory board of NCSY Israel, and two of her older brothers serving as advisors. Reva herself is on the chapter board of NCSY Gush Etzion where she offers her feedback and helps to plan events. She also spends time volunteering in Shaare Zedek Hospital, as well as with seniors and running a clothing gemach. Next year she will be completing her sherut leumi at Nefesh B’Nefesh where she will help others making Aliyah. After sherut she plans to learn in a midrasha or do shlichut abroad.
By Pnina Baim