Tova Sklar’s first experience with NCSY was on a relief mission to New Orleans with New Jersey NCSY director Rabbi Ethan Katz. Dubbed the “disaster rabbi” by local press for his work helping out underprivileged communities, Tova was immediately impressed with Rabbi Katz’s selfless devotion to the principle of “tikkun olam,” fixing the world. Tova’s enthusiasm also caught Rabbi Katz’s eyes.
“Tova’s leadership qualities stood out during New Orleans,” Rabbi Katz related about the trip where NCSYers from NJ built houses with Habitat for Humanity. “There was no question she was going to rise up the ranks.”
The following year, Tova was recruited for NJ NCSY’s Leadership Experience And Development program (LEAD), a pipeline leadership program created by Rabbi Katz. A handful of teens are selected each year and partake in a variety of activities and team building exercises, including working with Habitat for Humanity; developing a Jewish curriculum for a Jewish school in Buffalo, NY; staffing NCSY Shabbatons; and attending the national AIPAC Policy conference in Washington, DC. Successful graduates of LEAD are eligible to become part of NJ NCSY’s regional board the following year.
Tova Sklar (left) together with NJ NCSYer Rachel Rogers at NCSY’s Leadership Boot Camp.
The team’s work in Buffalo was especially eye opening for Tova, since the LEAD fellows became role models for many of the students.
While helping create enthusiasm at NCSY Shabbatons, Tova gradually realized the power of NCSY.
“I knew how much of an impact NCSY was making on public school students — how inspiring it was to them — but I realized that I could make an impact as well and I shouldn’t wait until I became an advisor,” she said.
Her time in NCSY also affected her own religious values.
“NCSY changed my view on Judaism,” she stated. “I met a bunch of public school students who were struggling to keep Shabbat and all this time I had taken advantage of how easy it was for me to keep it. Seeing how they were so devoted made me realize how fortunate I am and made me more motivated in my own Judaism.”
At Leadership Boot Camp, an invite-only Shabbaton over the summer where teen leaders of NCSY plan for the year ahead, Rabbi Micah Greenland, international director of NCSY, asked Tova if she was willing to lead NCSY and become the first national president from New Jersey NCSY in a decade.
“Tova is an extraordinary role model, from whom all of us in NCSY — her peers, as well as staff members, from all backgrounds — can learn a great deal,” Rabbi Greenland said. “It is her leadership by example, combined with the aspirational vision that she feels for NCSY, that has me so excited about her presidency.”
“We’re incredibly proud that Tova will be representing NJ NCSY,” added Rabbi Katz.
Tova’s official position was announced at the end of the Leadership Boot Camp Shabbaton. Her plans for the upcoming year include developing a national NCSY day of learning and chesed as well as further augmenting NCSY’s online programs including a web-chavrutha platform.
“I really want to be able to spread my love of Torah to other people,” she said.