NCSY, Los Angeles
Rabbi Effie Goldberg was originally hired by NCSY, West Coast in order to bring more Torah content into their programs. He started by running 4 JSU, public school clubs, and learning with 5 yeshiva day school students. The year began with West Coast’s first ever Yeshiva Shabbaton, and with Rabbi Goldberg working closely with the local day schools to encourage the juniors and seniors to learn about their Israel options. He created educational and social activities for both day school and public school kids, e.g. ice skating, bowling, broomball, baseball, trips to ball games, etc. Twice a week he ran Latte-and-Learning in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica with 30 students in attendance and arranged weekly chavrusa study sessions ending his first year with over 120 students. His success was tangible – the local chapter saw 70 kids at the Friday night ‘onegs’ in his home. His hospitality at home and the many visits that he made to local schools helped him to connect with hundreds on a weekly basis. He taught an interesting array of subjects, such as: Shabbos with light halacha, kashrus, Shomer Nigia, Current Events eg Stem Cell Research and Halachic Ramifications, Five Levels of Pleasure, Moshiach, Tichias Hameisim etc.
Then in 2005 Rabbi Goldberg assumed the position of Regional Director of NCSY. This involved managing 7 employees, running a regional shabbaton with over 400 teens, and managing a significant budget. In those 4 years he raised nearly 2.5 million dollars via regional campaigns and one-to-one solicitations, and expanded the total NCSY budget for his region from 1.1 to 1.8 million. He increased the professional staff by 50% and managed to direct this new manpower effectively by introducing techniques geared to helping each one succeed. For instance, he implemented weekly and monthly documentation to enhance professional quality control and skill development. In dealing with the youth he also introduced many new and innovative ideas, thereby increasing student attendance and activity by 130%. He published and disseminated “Blueprints” (10 commandments re-written for teens in magazine format) and also published and disseminated “Doing Jewish” (a JSU curriculum handed out to 500 Jewish youth professionals). In addition, Rabbi Goldberg has secured a functional and operative website with 1,000 unique hits monthly. He has also created an NCSY parenting track which includes yearly retreats. In 2009, Rabbi Goldberg became the Executive Director with a mission to make the West Coast the center of Teen outreach.
In 2012, Rabbi Goldberg assumed the role of West Coast OU Development Liaison to the OU National office located in NY, and was charged to consult, train, fundraise, and raise community awareness for OU subdivisions including: IPA – Institute of Public Affairs, Yachad – addresses the needs of Jewish individuals with disabilities, JLIC – Jewish Leadership Institute on College Campus.
West Coast NCSY currently operates 9 chapters throughout the West Coast with 54 JSU public and private school clubs and engages 4,000 Jewish teens each year.