Emily Seligson, a recent graduate of Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy, has been inducted into NCSY’s prestigious Ben Zakkai Honor Society as a candidate member.

Seligson, regional president of NCSY and a member of National Board, will be spending next year learning at Machon Maayan in Israel. Upon her return from Machon Maayan, Seligson plans on attending Washington University in St. Louis.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by an organization that has given me so much,” said Seligson. “NCSY taught me how to truly love being a part of the Jewish community and now I am beyond honored and humbled to be a part of the exclusive Ben Zakkai community.”

According to the press release from the West Coast NCSY, Seligson has made a tremendous impact on the region in the last four years. Active in the Stamford Chapter and in building friendships and connections across the region, she has led the regional board in an incredibly effective year of projects and giving back—from virtual bonding events, to holiday packages, to chesed projects.

Seligson said she started NCSY in ninth grade to expand her social scene, but quickly realized NCSY was something more special. After every Shabbaton, she gained tons of inspiration and some amazing friends along the way.

“By the end of my freshman year I knew I wanted to get more involved,” Seligson said. “By junior year I made it onto regional board as chair of social action (chesed) and this past year I became Northeast regional board president and served on the national board. I worked hard building programming, planning events and talking to new NCSYers to try and give them the same opportunity to build new friendships and gain inspiration.”

A positive influence on everybody she is in contact with, NCSY said that Seligson embodies a deep, genuine care and concern for all around her. This has made her an incredible friend, and an even more incredible leader.