NCSY Teens Repair Homes in Puerto Rico on Distenfeld Chesed Mission

Posted on June 22, 2018
Alex Levit, Mili Chizhik, Noa Strupinsky

Alex Levit, Mili Chizhik, Noa Strupinsky

Twenty teens from NJ are currently building temporary homes and repairing roofs in storm-damaged Puerto Rico with NJ NCSY’s Fred and Rose Distenfeld Chesed Mission.

The 2018 Distenfeld Chesed Missions support rebuilding efforts in Houston, New Orleans, Nashville, Charleston, and Puerto Rico. Its day school partners for these trips include Jewish Education Center (Elizabeth, NJ), Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls (Teaneck, NJ), the Frisch School (Paramus, NJ) and the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies (Ridgewood, NJ). Other participants come from public schools across the state.

“This trip taught me that even a little smile can change a persons day. I hope our work changes the lives of many people for years to come,” said volunteer Alex.

Yona Weinrib, Natan Mendelsohn

Yona Weinrib, Natan Mendelsohn

NJ NCSY has earned accolades for running teen disaster relief missions throughout the country for the past eleven years. The organization has sent teen mission groups to Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, Georgia and Puerto Rico. While volunteering, teens work hands-on with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, South East Recovery, Hike For Katrina, Nechama, and Green Light, working to construct and repair buildings and homes as well as the lives of their inhabitants. The program inculcates leadership training to these teens who take their experience back and are motivated to participate in additional social justice programs.

The 2018 Fred and Rose Distenfeld Chesed Missions to Puerto Rico were co-sponsored by a generous donation from a prominent national foundation.

View more photos on Facebook

NJ NCSY staff rebuilding in storm-damaged Puerto Rico on Distenfeld Mission

NJ NCSY staff rebuilding in storm-damaged Puerto Rico on Distenfeld Mission