Developing leadership skills and instilling a genuine passion for volunteering in their own communities and around the world!
Increasing awareness and compassion for those less fortunate while deepening their appreciation for their own lives.
Strengthening their Jewish identity and connection to Jewish values through an immersive, hands-on experience of tikkun olam, as well as follow-up activities.
We here in the Lower 9th Ward are so appreciative of OU Relief Missions! You all are helping out so many people here. Christmas came early. The kids here are so excited. If possible, I would hug everyone!
Working with OU Relief participants for more than a decade has been an amazing experience. These participants are helping so many people in their time of need. They are lifesavers.”
Ezra Academy girls experienced a transformative journey when they traveled to New Orleans. This OU run chessed mission, infused values in the girls that are tough to teach on an academic level. Building homes, nurturing the environment, feeding the homeless and fostering Jewish identity were experiential moments that will live with them forever. For these young volunteers, the trip to New Orleans was more than just a service project; it was an opportunity to connect with their faith, culture, and the wider world around them. As they rolled up their sleeves to assist in the construction of homes for families in need, they found themselves not only building structures but also forging bonds of solidarity and empathy. Their commitment to environmental stewardship was equally commendable,. Whether cleaning water barrels, priming water barrels or painting water barrels after being educated on the importance of the work, these young women demonstrated a profound respect for the environment and a dedication to the preservation of the water projects around the levies in the Lower Nine. Yet, perhaps the most profound aspect of their journey was the internal transformation each girl experienced. Through acts of service and moments of introspection, they unearthed hidden strengths, discovered new passions, and deepened their understanding of themselves and their place in the world. In fact their interactions with the members of the community and in particular Burnell, of Burnell’s market in the Lower 9 taught them the character trait of resiliency in ways they have never encountered before. These girls carried with them not only memories of their impactful deeds but also a renewed sense of purpose and connection. The time they spent with Rabbi Katz in closing ceremonies demonstrated how potent the experience was and how powerfully they were affected by the five days of service. This type of hands on occurrence cannot be matched by classroom learning. The girls were forced out of their comfort zones and have grown tremendously because of it. We are looking forward to continued chessed projects (and another mission) in the coming months years…
I am thrilled to endorse OU Relief Missions, an exceptional initiative that has left an indelible impact on our HAFTR High School community. Our students have participated in two transformative missions with OU Relief Missions, one to Houston and another to Fort Myers. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping their character and worldview.
SBP is tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of OU Missions volunteers. The enthusiasm and sheer impact of their service have been felt across the United States and in Puerto Rico. They are a great extension of our team and mission. Thank you to all OU Mission volunteers for helping us rebuild communities impacted by natural disasters, and bringing families home faster
“Over the past 7 years, Green Light New Orleans has received the help of NCSY students on a regular basis. The volunteers from NCSY have been crucial in helping advance Green Light’s mission to build a more sustainable city. The groups have been involved in all our programs; they have helped install thousands of energy-efficient light bulbs, painted dozens of rain barrels, and improved access to healthy food through Green Light’s backyard vegetable garden program. We highly value the long term partnership we have with NCSY. Involvement over a long period of time brings the highest value to our mission!”
“NCSY chessed relief missions provide a unique Jewish ‘out-of-the-box’ educational experience for public school teens. The missions take the teens out of their comfort zone, allowing them to grow their leadership skills and learn about Judaism in a new and meaningful way. Through work in other communities outside of their own, the teens learn that Judaism is not something that only exists in their Hebrew schools or JSU clubs, it is something that is much greater than their personal community.”
“In Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Tarfon, reminds us that it is not on us to complete the task, though neither are we free to abandon the work. Though the recovery efforts in Texas following Hurricane Harvey will continue for years, NCSY-ers who participated in Act Now Houston’s volunteer initiative, indeed lived their Jewish values of repairing the world. Over the weeks and countless hours that the teens helped to re-build damaged homes, they not only increased their own competency, confidence, empathic understanding, and moral character, they also strengthened community. And one might wonder, is it possible that unskilled, unexperienced volunteers could learn how to install new floors and sheet rock and actually be helpful? The simple answer is absolutely. With the right tools and (equally important) intention, anyone with a few hours can make a contribution to the incredible work of helping to bring a family home. It is about the collective joining in solidarity and action, showing up to meet the needs of those you serve, and the compounding contributions of volunteers who build upon the work that came before them and pass their work to those who will come after, which restores and revitalizes humanity.”
“In just a few short days, NCSY gave my students a sense of purpose and helped them feel like they were making a real difference. You should have seen the students’ reactions when the homeowners came outside with tears of thanks. It was incredible.”
