This past August, the Young Israel of New Rochelle welcomed Rachel and Jordan Benditzson as its new youth directors.
Shortly after Tisha B’Av, the Benditzsons announced: “As we head into the new year, the Beit HaMikdash has not yet been rebuilt and Moshiach has not yet arrived, the question remains: What is our mission while we are still in exile, scattered across the globe?
“This year, our YINR youth will embark on a journey ‘around the world,’ embracing the profound idea that we are scattered across the globe with a unique purpose, hoping to gather the sparks of holiness found in every corner of the earth. Buckle your seatbelts and get ready for a year of exciting events, programs and more.”
The first “stop” for the YINR youth, in September, was Honolulu, Hawaii, for the kickoff event, a luau. At the event, each child received a passport with their picture. The directors’ hope is for each participant to acquire stamps of each place they “visit” this year (in shul) with the YINR youth department. The luau featured Hawaiian punch and flower leis.
Their next stop was Japan for candy sushi making, in the sukkah. The sushi was made with gummy fish, gummy worms, fruit roll-ups, rice cereal and marshmallow. Following Parshat Noach, the tour continued with an African safari animal show, and included birds, lizards, tarantulas, alligators and snakes.
For the middle school youngsters, the YINR youth department began the year with an end-of-summer barbecue and then a movie night in the sukkah. Each Shabbat, the Benditzsons are also naming a youth leader of the week. The winner is featured in the weekly youth newsletter.
Rachel, raised in Highland Park/Edison, and Jordan, from Skokie/Chicago, described the goals they have set for their tenure in New Rochelle. “One of the most important things is just creating a positive atmosphere and a positive association with going to shul and Judaism specifically,” she said.
Jordan said: “Reflecting on my own experience at shul when I was younger, I can’t tell you everything I learned, or davened, or even all the games we played, but whenever I go back to that shul I feel a warm feeling more than to any other shul I’ve been to, because I can associate that with my positive experiences of the past.” Jordan described his selection during davening groups of one kid to be the chazan. The hope is to build each youth’s confidence. Jordan explains to the chazans the impact they have on the other kids. “Associations they have to shul, the positive association with Judaism, and excitement; a feeling so small can really go a long way.”
The Benditzsons noted that they have been working to not just interact with the YINR youth but to connect with all members of the shul; the parents, the youth leaders, grandparents, and even parents whose kids have aged out of the youth department. “It’s a great experience being able to just interact with so many types and ages of people.”
Rachel and Jordan commented how welcoming the community has been towards them since their arrival. Rachel expressed: “During kiddush, people who don’t know us come up to us and introduce themselves. We always talk about that and how much we appreciate the friendliness. We have been invited out every Shabbos since we moved here.”
Jordan is studying at Yeshiva University in the RIETS semicha program and also at Wurzweiler, pursuing a degree in social work. He plays guitar, has mastered the Chinese yo-yo, known as a diablo. Rachel is currently in dental school at Touro.
