Etan Vann – Southern NCSY
They say that you are religious because that’s how you were raised. My story disproves that. True I was raised religious, but I also started going to public school in 4th grade. I started to get out of touch with my heritage. I went to minyan, but didn’t know what I was saying. I learned Torah, but not on my own time and often wanted to get out of class as fast as possible. I knew I was Jewish, but I didn’t know what that meant. I wanted answers, but I didn’t know where to get them. There were times when I broke Shabbos, I ate non-kosher, and just didn’t care about Judaism.
When the time finally came to go to high school, I wasn’t too thrilled about being involved in NCSY. However, one Shabbos, when I was walking around shul wondering what I was doing there, I caught a glimpse of a sign that said: “Jewish National Treasure: Come Learn This Topic at Latte & Learning.” For once I saw a topic in Torah that was interesting and appealing to me. I went and had such a great time! I started meeting new people and learning little by little.
Midway through the year, my chapter fell under the leadership of one of the most amazing Rabbi’s I know, Rabbi Nahum Zak. Rabbi Zak truly opened my eyes to Judaism and made me want to go to every NCSY meeting there was. During the summer of my sophomore year, I went on NCSY Summer Program TJJ and truly connected with our homeland of Israel. I met amazing advisors and met friends who I still talk to this day.
Etan presents his d’var Torah to a room filled with students at National Yarchei Kallah’s Jewish American Idol competition.
However, the summer ended and I missed my friends and advisors who I went on TJJ with. Although regionals were advertised, I shrugged them away. But last year, I went on my very first regional and had the time of my life! It didn’t take long for me to fit in – I felt at home with NCSY. I had finally reconnected with my Judaism and I started wearing tzitzit in school. I recruited two people for TJJ this summer (and counting) and this past winter break, went on my first Yarchei Kallah, which was truly one of the most life-changing weeks I had ever experienced.
So to all the Rabbis, advisors, friends, and leaders of NCSY, thank you SO much for restoring the Jewish flame inside me! Thank G-d that NCSY exists and continues to ignite the fire that burns within all of us!