Highlights of the Twenty-First Annual Ben Zakkai Dinner

Friends and supporters gathered this past January at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York to attend this year’s Ben Zakkai Honor Society’s NCSY National Scholarship Reception.

The annual event recognizes the achievements of NCSY alumni who provide meaningful service to the klal. Proceeds from the dinner provide scholarship funds for high school NCSYers to attend summer programs in North America and Israel, and to enable teens to continue their Jewish education after high school.

Three honorees were presented with awards: Terry and Dennis M. Eisenberg of Brooklyn, New York; Dr. Murray Leben of Teaneck, New Jersey; and Rabbi Dave and Chani Felsenthal of Passaic, New Jersey. Rabbi Felsenthal is Director of the OU’s Next Gen Division, which provides outreach programs to college and post-college students across the country.

The night of celebration also saw four new inductees to the Ben Zakkai Honor Society, NCSY Alumni’s “Hall of Fame”: David Cutler of Staten Island, New York; Eli Weinstein of West Hempstead, New York; David Statman of Los Angeles, California; and Elliot Tanzman of Queens, New York. David Cutler serves as Director of NCSY Summer Programs.

“The vitality and success of NCSY is largely a tribute to the devotion, dedication and passion that our inductees and honorees bring to every aspect of their personal and communal lives,” says OU National Vice President Dr. David Luchins, who co-chaired the dinner along with his wife, Vivian, Chair of the NCSY Summer Programs Committee.

Honorees Terry and Dennis M. Eisenberg are presented with the Ezra Ben Zion Lightman Memorial Award. From left: International Director of NCSY Rabbi Micah Greenland; Mr. and Mrs. Eisenberg; OU Executive Vice President Allen I. Fagin; OU National Vice President Dr. David Luchins and his wife, Vivian, Dinner Chairs, and OU Vice President Isabelle Novak, Chair of the Ben Zakkai Honor Society. Photos: Kruter Photography

Director, OU Next Gen Rabbi Dave Felsenthal and his wife, Chani, are awarded the Rebbetzin Elaine and Rabbi Pinchas Stolper Service Award. From left: Dr. and Mrs. Luchins; Ms. Novak; Secretary of the Ben Zakkai Society Allison Katz; Rabbi and Mrs. Felsenthal; Mr. Fagin; Director, Association of Jewish Outreach Professionals Rabbi Yitzchok Lowenbraun and Rabbi Greenland.

Dinner honoree Dr. Murray Leben, surrounded by family, receives the Enid and Harold Boxer Memorial Award. From left: Leor Leben; Donny Goldin; Tamara Leben Goldin; Dr. Leben; Regional Director of New Jersey NCSY Rabbi Ethan Katz; Mr. Fagin; Oren Leben and Shana Leben.