GIVE

Girls Israel Volunteer Experience (GIVE) is a 5 week Israel summer program where extraordinary high school girls are given the opportunity to experience hands-on Judaism through the art of giving back.

On GIVE, we visit an array of chesed organizations and experience firsthand what it means to be a responsible member of the Jewish people by helping those in need. From soup kitchens to medical clowning, greeting a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight to painting kindergartens in underprivileged communities, GIVErs are able to contribute to the many needs of those Jews living in Israel.

While GIVE’s primary focus is volunteer work, touring and exposure to the land of Israel continues to be a major piece of the summer. When not engaged in chesed activities, GIVE takes you to many of the major tourist attractions throughout Israel. Some highlights include spending Shabbat in Tzfat, banana boating on the Kineret, hiking in the Judean desert and the Golan, mountain rappelling and floating in the Dead Sea.

GIVE is an opportunity for girls to give back some of the good that they have received in their lives to those less fortunate. For an amazing summer that allows you to experience tangible Judaism in an incredibly exciting environment, while making friends from all over, sign up for NCSY’s GIVE!

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Trip Summary

Eligibility:

Current 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Program for Girls

Price:

$6,399 USD

Location:

Israel,

Duration:

5 weeks

Dates:

July 09 2012 - August 13 2012

Contact Information:

p: 212-613-8167
f: 212-613-0789

Downloadable Forms:

Medical Form Recommendation Form

GIVE Sample Itinerary
 

Day 1
Depart JFK on LY002
Overnight:
Aircraft
Day 2
Arrive at Ben Gurion, Israel
Tayelet - Orientation
Kotel
Check in and Dinner at Mevaseret
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 3
Hod Yerushalaim Old Age Home
Old City and Lunch
City of David
Light & sound
Warrens Shaft
Hizkiyahu Tunnels
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 4
Visit to Har Herzl
Or Meir Uvracha
Neve Michael
Shlock Rock Concert
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 5
Shuk Machne Yehuda
Preparation for Shabbat
Shabbat Candle
Kabbalat Shabbat
Seuda
Oneg
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 6
Shabbat
Tfilla
Kidush
Educational Program
Seuda
Rest
Shabbat programs
Mincha
Seuda Shlishit
Ma'ariv and Havdala
Pizza and activity
Overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 7
Medical Clowning training
Lunch at Mevaseret
Practice medical Clowning in Hospital
YOM NCSY
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 8
The Home Game at Mevaseret
Meet Anita Tuker
Yad Vashem
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 9
17th of Tamuz
Activy in Mevaseret
Break the fast at Ana Ticho
Kotel and Kotel Tunnels
Third entrance
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 10
Leave For Masada
greet the sun on the mountain..
Dead Sea
Ein Gedi
Back at Mevaseret
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 11
Yad Lakashish
Chazon Yisha'ya
Lunch
Travel South
Bike ride Lahav reagon
Check in
overnight:
Yerucham
Day 12
Nachal Gov Hike
Coach Latet, Yerucham
(Clothing Gmach)
Day 13
Shabbat
overnight:
Yerucham
Day 14
Yad Lakashish
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 15
Day with Sderot
overnight:
Mevaseret
Stand together
Day 16
Travel to Binyamin
Tel Shilo - dig the past
Tour of Mishkan Shilo site
Lunch
Meet Ulpanat Dolev Girls
overnight:
Mevaseret
stand together
Day 17
Travel North
Nir David - Raft building
Nir David - kayak basketball game
lunch
Swim in the kinneret
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 18
medical clowning
Shalva
Early dinner
NA Laga'at
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 19
Drop off at OU center
Drop off at Arlozorov train station
Depart for Shabbat by Families
Shabbat Candle lighting
Overnight:
By families and Friends
Day 20
Shabbat
Shabbat by Families and Friends
Day 21
Pickup from OU center both groups
Pickup from Arlozorov train station
Crawl through the Biar tunnel
Burger Lunch on the water spring
Enjoy the cold water of the ein Sajma
Found a new trail in Gush Etzion
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 22
Leket Israel
Intra
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 23
Chazon Yisha'aya
Yad Eliezer
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 24
Absorbtion Center, Tzfat
Overnight:
Tel Aviv Hotel, Tzfat
Day 25
Project - Livnot Ulehibanot
Overnight:
Tel Aviv Hotel, Tzfat
Day 26
Rehabilitate the Carmel Forrest
Visit to Otsar hastam
Shabbat Candle lighting
Kabalat Shabbat in Tzfat Shul
Friday Night Meal
Tish/Oneg Shabbat
Overnight:
Tel Aviv Hotel, Tzfat
Day 27
Shabbat
Tfilla
Kidush
Shabbat Meal
Educational Program
Rest
Walking Tour of Tzfat
Mincha
Seuda shlishit
Ma'ariv and Havdala
night trip to Meron
Overnight:
Tel Aviv Hotel, Tzfat
Day 28
Project - Livnot Ulehibanot
Travel Back to Mevaseret
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 29
Tour of Chevron
Me'arat Hamachpela
Kever Rachel
Seuda Mafseket and Eicha
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 30
Tisha Be'av
Educational Programs
Rest
Break the fast
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 31
zichron menachem
Chaims (Hatsori School)
Activity
BBQ
overnight:
Mevaseret
Day 32
Dialogue in the dark
Paintball
overnight:
Mevaseret
Go to Tish by Rabbi Baruch Farberman
Day 33
Machne Yehuda
Meah She'arm
Candle Lighting
Kabbalat shabbat at the kotel
Seuda
overnight:
Jerusalem Gates Hotel
Day 34
Shabbat
Tfilla
Kidush
Shabbat Meal
Educational Program
Rest
Mincha
Seuda shlishit
Ma'ariv and Havdala
Pizza in Town
overnight:
Jerusalem Gates Hotel
Day 35
Plant a tree In Israel
Last minute shopping
Farewell Banquet
Ben gurion Airport
Day 36
depart on flight LY001
05:40
Arrive at JFK
Leshana HaBa'ah Beyerushalaim
לשנה הבאה בירושלים...

Q: How do I apply for an NCSY Summer Program?

A: The application will be open late October, please continue to check back on our website for updates.


Q: What forms do I need to fill out before I can be accepted?

A: Acceptance decisions will not be made without a completed application, recommendation letters, and medical waivers. ** Please note, all programs require a telephone interview before an acceptance decision is made.**


Q: I have applied, now what?

A: Upon completion of your online application, you will receive a confirmation email. All NCSY Summer Programs also require a brief telephone interview as part of the application process. In the unlikely event that you do not receive a phone call to schedule your interview within three weeks of submitting your online application, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU.


Q: Until when can I apply for the programs?

A: All programs work under a rolling admission system which means that there is no final date to apply to the program. Once the program reaches capacity, we will stop accepting applications for that program. Most programs fill to capacity sooner rather then later so applying early is always recommended.


Q: Are scholarships available for NCSY Summer Programs?

A: Yes! The financial aid application is part of the online registration process. Scholarship decisions are based on need and are made after an applicant has been accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Please note, many outside organizations offer scholarships for summer programs. You might consider calling your local Federation, ZOA, JCC, Synagogue or local NCSY office for scholarship assistance.


Q: What forms do I need to send to NCSY before I can go on a program?

A: After being accepted, you must submit a packet of legal forms and medical forms. All forms will be sent to you in a confirmation email upon completion of the online registration process


Q: When will I know if I have been accepted?

A: All programs will be accepting applicants on a rolling basis. You can expect to have an answer about three weeks after interviews have been conducted. If more than three weeks have passed since your interview and you have not been contacted regarding your participation, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU.


Q: When can I expect to receive an information packet for my program?

A: Packets will be mailed out before Passover. These packets will include packing lists, itineraries, flight information, specific program codes of conduct and other VERY IMPORTANT information. It is crucial that you read through the entire packet and mail in all appropriate forms. If you need this information prior to Passover, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU. Please note, most of this information will also be available on our website (http://www.NCSYsummer.com) around Passover time.


Q: Can I extend my stay in Israel?

A: Yes. To extend a ticket, you will need to contact the Summer Programs Associate assisgned to your program. He or she will give you the direct email address for our travel agent who will make the accommodations. Program Associates cannot arrange flights. Note: Any additional fees associated with the change are the responsibility of the program participant.


Q: Once the program has departed, how can I be in touch with my child?

A: For domestic programs, numbers will be provided. For the overseas programs there will be cell phone rental service required through a third party. There will also be an emergency number available. Some programs will also have access to fax machines and emails.


Q: Once the program has started, whom do I contact with problems or questions?

A: If you have a question regarding billing, flights or any other matter concerning your program, please contact the NCSY Summer Programs Associate assigned to your program at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU. If your specific questions were not answered in the FAQs above, please feel free to call 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU, or email your inquiry to Summer@ncsy.org


If your specific questions were not answered in the FAQs above, please feel free to call 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU, or email your inquiry to.

Dialogue in the Dark/Silence
August 11th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Today our buses visited two branches of a very powerful museum near Tel Aviv. The museum offers a journey through which one experiences total silence and a journey through which one experiences total darkness. The Dialogue in the Dark, as it is referred to, allows campers the abililty to feel, for just a short moment, what it is like to be blind or deaf (chos v'shalom). As many of the people we have interacted with the summer experience these life challenges, it was very powerful for our girls to momentarily step into their shoes, giving new meaning for us…
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Volunteering… and folk dancing
August 11th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
We had such a nice day on Wednesday, with bus 1 volunteering at Chazon Yeshaya, a local soup kitchen and bus 2 volunteering at Zichron Menachem, an organization that provides for children with cancer. After a tasty lunch in the park, the buses returned to Mevaseret to go swimming in a nearby spring. It was beautiful! After returning to our campus, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ and then prepared for our super exciting night activities- Israeli folk dancing followed by Ask The Rabbi!  Our Israeli madricha, Renana, set up an enormous speaker and blasted classic Israeli songs throughout…
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Tisha Ba’av
August 11th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
To prepare us for Tisha Ba'av, we spent Erev Tisha Ba'av at Kever Rachel- burial site of our matriarch Rachel- and Ma'arat Ha'machpeilah- burial site of our patriarchs and matriarchs, in Hevron. It was a very spiritually uplifting day that helped place us in the proper mindset for the fast. Though we anticipated and yearned for the coming of Mashiach, this year, sadly, we again spent the 9th of Av in mourning over the destruction of the first and second Beis HaMikdash, temple. We came together Monday night to hear Eichah read by Rabbi Felberman and then headed…
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The Holy city of Tzfat
August 7th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
We were so enveloped in the kedusha of Tzfat that we did not even have a chance to update the blog! Our apologies.  This past week, Wednesday through Sunday, we had the honor of visiting the Holy city of Tzfat. Some highlights of our visit included:     - Working with Livnot U'Lehibanot, an organization that works to beautify and rebuild the city of Tzfat     - Painting an elementary school in Afula     - Touring the DeKarina chocolate factory... and making chocolate of our own!     - Eating the chocolate…
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Bringing Torah to Life
August 2nd, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Bus 1 spent the day in ancient Shilo, where the Mishkan stood over 3000 years ago. To watch history come to life and stand where Chana and Shmuel HaNavi stood, connected us to our roots in a way which we never thought imaginable. We then headed to the Yekev Winery, participating in interactive trivia games, watching videos and learning oh so much about wine making! Bus 2 started off their day at Leket, an organization formally known as Table to Table, which helps collect vegetables left in the field during harvests. This is a huge mitzvah as all…
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... and we’re back!
August 1st, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
The GIVErs and staff met up early Sunday morning after a weekend of R&R, ready to dive back into our GIVE experience. We spent the day in the Gush, hiking through the Biar water tunnels, working the land and clearing new paths into the beautiful hills of the Gush. We returned to Mevaseret, tired after a long day of hard work, but not too tired for... A MACCABEATS CONCERT!!!!!  Oh wait. Just kidding. COLOR WAR!!! (Such a shame for everyone who was super pysched to see the Maccabeats live, when all they got was their advisors in costume.)…
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Free Weekend
July 29th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Have fun with your friends and family! We'll miss you NCSY GIVErs!  See you on Sunday iyH.  
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New Modes of Communication
July 29th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Bus 1 spent the day in the Tel Aviv area, working alongside the visually impaired in a factory in Ramat Gan and then heading to Save A Child's Heart, to spend time with children who are waiting to receive heart transplants. We then headed to Shuk HaCarmel to shop and get to see a cultural side of Tel Aviv. Bus 2 started off the day with medical clowning at Icholov Hospital and then traveled to Shalva, an organization which provides free services for children with mental disabilities.  Both groups then met up for dinner before making our…
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Standing Together
July 28th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
We often take for granted that we are able to travel around Israeli feeling safe and protected. Yet, without the hard work and dedication of the soldiers in the Israeli army, we would be leading very different lives. What better way to recognize our soldiers for their commitment than by doing something for them to show our hakaras hatov and say "thanks!"? For the last 3 nights, GIVE has been sending groups of 30 girls to nearby army bases through the organization called Standing Together. We supplied Standing Together with sodas and cakes and the program director put…
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Fun in the Sun!
July 27th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Today was a blast! Both our buses spent the day having fun in the sun while partipating in various water sports. The day began with a bus ride to Nir David in the North in which our girls participated in fun team-building activities. The girls were split into two inter-bus groups. While one group raced to both build a raft and then sail across the Amal River, the other group played water basketball on kayaks. The groups then switched so everyone experienced the same refreshing fun of Eretz Yisrael! The girls then had lunch followed by free time on…
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We love Israel!
July 27th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
  Yesterday was another fantastic day on our ever successful program! While the two buses engaged in seperate activities, both buses particpated in fun packed days of touring and chessed. Bus one eagerly rolled up their sleeves as they painted an assisted living facility. They had lots of fun getting dirty and doing chessed all at once! The bus then rolled on over to their second chessed of the day- Chames, an organization which services children…
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Sderot Carnival and GIVE’s BIG VICTORY!!!
July 26th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
You're probably curious- what big victory is being addressed in the title of this post? I'll just cut to the chase... NCSY GIVE BEAT NCSY MICHLELET IN OUR ANNUAL BASKETBALL GAME!!! This was a HUGE moment for NCSY GIVE as this is the first year in history that we have won! Our team was led by Yael Mashiach (Chicago), Esti Prero (Chicago), Rivka Abbe (NYC), Marissa Pollack (NY) and Dara Zuckerman (OH), but everyone who played contributed to our success. Aside from not having the home court advantage, our GIVErs had also never played basketball together before. But…
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Day 14- Back to Yerushalayim for some chessed and carnival prep!
July 26th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Bus 1 spent the day at Zichron Menachem, an organization that provides for children with cancer, and at a home for mentally disabled women in Mevaseret. Both were very powerful experiences for the GIVErs. Bus 2 assisted at an organization called Shekel, which employs the mentally disabled in a production factory. As we helped piece together calendars with the employees, we sang and joked around with them, creating womderful relationships. From there we traveled to a lovely park which needed to be developed. We helped clear pathways and assisted in beautifying the area. Though a tedious job, the girls…
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Shabbos in the Desert
July 23rd, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Friday marked our first full day in the desert, as we prepared for our upcoming shabbos in Yerucham, a small city about 1 hour from Baer Sheva. Bus 1 spent the day planting a vineyard, a contribution which will leave its mark on Israel for generations to come. Bus 2 began their day with a water hike and then headed to a clothing gamach to help sort through and organize donations. This gamach, known as Koach Latet (The Strength to Give), sells all of its products for 1 shekel and all proceeds go to tzedukah. Their goal is to…
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Day 11- Soup Kitchens and the South
July 22nd, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Thursday was chock full of exciting chessed projects with both groups visiting Chazon Yeshaya, a Jerusalem soup kitchen and then heading to Yad Lakashish, an incredible operation which employs elderly immigrants and teaches them a trade. In the soup kitchen, we focused on preparing the meals for those that would come later that day and boy did we chop a lot of vegetables! At Yad Lakashish (which literally means "a hand to the elderly"), we sang, danced and brought simcha to everyone around. We then purchased some of the beautiful handmade pieces created by the employees of Yad Lakashish.…
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The Early Wakeup…
July 22nd, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Today we woke up VERY early and headed to Massada for our sunrise hike. And guess what? WE MADE IT! The sunrise was beautiful and truly enhanced our tefillah. After a short tour, we headed back down the mountain and made our way to the Dead Sea. Many GIVErs collected the valuable salts to bring them home as a souvenir. We were joined for dinner by Mr. Yossi Stechler, Chairman of the NCSY Youth Committee, and then had an optional Mishmar learning program with Rabbi Baruch Felberman, our GIVE Rabbi.  
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17 Tammuz
July 22nd, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
After a late wakeup, so the GIVErs could catch up on their rest, we had the honor of hearing from world-renowned speaker and beloved NCSY educator, Rabbi Menachem Nissel. We then held a learning program in memory of one of our GIVEr's mothers z"l, whose first yartzheit is this Friday night. She will be making a siyum on Pirkei Avos along with the entire GIVE family. May her memory be for a blessing.   In the afternoon we traveled to the Kotel for mincha and then broke our fast at Beit Ticho, a delicious restaurant in Jerusalem.…
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A More Serious Day…
July 19th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Today we learned about the disengagement from Gush Katif that occured several years ago. We began by watching a film called Home Game, which tells the story of the disengagement from the perspective of teenagers living through it. We then had the honor of hearing from American oleh, Anita Tucker, who came on aliyah in the late 60's and settled in Gush Katif with her family. She told her personal story of the disengagement and helped us to gain perspective of what the experience represented for both the Jews it effected directly and the greater Jewish people. Afterwards,…
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Medical Clowning and Yom NCSY
July 19th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Sunday morning was spent decked out in costumes as we learned the art of medical clowning.  Jeff Gordon, a long time medical clown, taught us how to improve our laugh, make balloon animals and make the patients feel more at ease in the hospitals. The GIVErs did an excellent job "clowning" around and were even better in person at the hospital. It was such a Kiddush Hashem watching the faces of the patients light up as our GIVErs entered their rooms. We…
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Shabbos at Camp GIVE is GIVE-ALDIK!
July 16th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
To prepare us for shabbos, we had our first Mishmar of the summer on Thursday night. Led by our GIVE Rabbi, Rabbi Baruch Felberman of Shaalavim for Women, we had over 50 GIVErs show up to the optional learning session to get them into the proper mindset for the upcoming shabbos and for a summer of chessed. It was both uplifting and inspiring. On Friday, Bus 1 traveled to Aleh, an organization that provides services for the extremely disabled. Through song and dance, the girls brought smiles to the faces of people who had not exhibited emotion in…
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Day 4 on GIVE
July 16th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
  Our morning began as we watched the movie of Michael Levine, an American who enlisted in the Israeli army and lost his life defending our land. From there we traveled to Har Hertzel and learned about the important historial figures buried there. What was most impactful, though, was seeing the graves of the young soldiers who were buried there, many of whom are just a few years out of high school. The girls began to recognize and internalize the sacrifices made every day by our fellow Jews to ensure that we have…
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Beit Avot and the Old City
July 14th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Yesterday we visited a Beit Avot, nursing home, in Jerusalem. The GIVErs took the residents by storm, singing and dancing to some Jewish and Israeli classic tunes. We even had an opportunity to sing along with one of the residents who is a former chazzan! It was such an empowering experience to be able to brighten someones day by simply sharing a smile. From there we traveled to the Old City of Jerusalem where we toured and explored. One of the highlights was trekking through the Chizkiyahu Water Tunnels, where we felt our way through the darkness and waist-high water.…
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We made it!
July 12th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Shalom from the Holy land! After a long day of travels, we arrived safely in Israel and settled into our new home in Mevaseret. We sat down to a delicious dinner and then piled back on the buses en route to the Kotel for an opportunity to daven, reflect and begin recharging our batteries with the inherent holiness of Eretz Yisrael. Tomorrow the real fun begins, as we dive into our first official chessed project (though the teamwork exhibited today in removing all of the luggage from the buses was nothing short of an incredible chessed as…
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Welcome to GIVE 2011!
June 28th, 2011 | GIVE | Comments
Give flight information: Sunday July 11 Carrier Flt #
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