106 high school girls from the Chicagoland area, 17 dedicated college-aged mentors and advisors, one amazing guest speaker, and a top-notch staff – the perfect formula to an incredible, inspiring weekend with NCSY!
Held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Northbrook, the annual Midwest NCSY 4G Shabbaton – named as a reference to the 4G “For Girls” environment, is the highlight of the year for many of the girls who participate in NCSY’s 4G Programming.
Led by Directors Avigayil Strulowitz and Shuli Tsadok, and currently, in its fourth year of existence, NCSY 4G aims to provide inspirational educational and social programming for frum high school girls. 4G holds monthly Shabbos events, weekly Latte & Learn programs where girls learn with college-aged advisors, and an annual Shabbaton where the group spends Shabbos together singing, dancing, and being inspired.
Midwest NCSY created the 4G program after noticing a need in the community – observant teenage girls who were looking for Jewish inspiration in an informal setting. NCSY is an organization known worldwide for its premiere inspirational programming for Jewish teens,
however, many girls who would greatly benefit from the warmth and approach of NCSY do not participate in these programs because of their co-ed nature. NCSY recognized this challenge and started the 4G program in the Fall of 2014 to meet the needs of our community.
At the most recent 4G Shabbaton on December 8th-9th, the girls were treated to a compelling educational program entitled “Go for the Gold!” This theme was explored throughout the weekend through the learning sessions, the girls’ own Divrei Torah, and by Yaffa Palti, a well-known speaker and lecturer who joined for the weekend. Yaffa shared with the girls that they can all “Go for the Gold” in their own lives by pushing themselves and striving to be the best they can be. She discussed how we all have the tools and inner strength to be successful, and that often the choice is between what’s right and what’s easy – and we all have our push ourselves to do what is right. Through these challenges is how we can develop ourselves as strong Torah Jews and be the best version of ourselves.
The girls were all very moved by Yaffa’s messages and by the singing, dancing, and other activities that went on throughout the weekend. All the girls left with a feeling of passion and excitement about their own Yiddishkeit. 4G NCSY is committed to being on the forefront of inspiring the teens of our community. These girls are not just our teens today – they’re also our future community leaders. NCSY is proud to be a part of inspiring our Jewish future!
