Kol CRUSY second issue

Issue No. 2
KOL CRUSY
CENTRAL REGION USY
How to Write
a Dvar Torah
By: Andy Weissfeld
Junior, BSUSY
•••
Many of us USYers are frequently
asked to write or read a Dvar Torah
for our chapters and congregations.
Here are a few helpful steps and tips
for writing and reading a dvar torah.
1. Make sure you know the deadline
for your Dvar Torah at least two
weeks in advance. Clarify the parsha
name with your rabbi or Rel/Ed. After
this you may begin the writing
process.
2. Look for online summaries of your
portion or read out of the chumash or
Rashi commentary. Decide what
details of the parsha you would like to
include in your dvar torah and what
point you would like to make.
3. Write your dvar torah. Open with a
strong introduction. Maybe use a
personal story of yours or a dilemma
that relates to the portion to grab the
audience’s attention. Make sure you
use strong verbs in your body
paragraphs in order to keep the
congregation’s attention. Finally,
finish with a strong conclusion. Tie it
CRUSY has...RUACH!!!
By: Gabby Master and Jordana Rosenfeld - Junior/Senior, BuckUSY/BSUSY
Funny dances+ loud teenagers+ an
assortment of Disney songs=
amazing CRUSY ruach! Out of all
17 regions in USY, CRUSY is known
for having the loudest, proudest,
and most intense ruach sessions.
The best ruach around is led by
yours truly Gabby Master and
Jordana Rosenfeld. Fast screaming
ruach is led during shabbas after
dinner Friday night and after lunch
Saturday morning. Following
Saturday night dinner is slow
harmonious ruach. We can be
intense; so freshman, don’t be
intimidated. If songs sound like a
ton of nonsense and the gestures
that go with them are confusing,
don't worry, there are ways to
shorten the learning curve! Words
continued on page 2
continued on page 2
BRIAN DICKSTEIN “My
favorite ruach song is probably
Ivdu et Hashem because I
just love singing it and doing all
the beats to it”
MAX ZACK YOFFEE “I love
Yom Zeh M’chubad
because my big brother Eli
Kaufman passed it down to me
last year”
ALLISON SCHWARTZ “Kol Sasson which is
really called m’heira hashem) is my favorite
ruach song because it’s so beautiful and
meaningful...but really it just sounds so beautiful
when everyone harmonizes together. We sing it
at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and it brings back
so many memories”
DORI TOBACHNIK “I like Yom
Zeh M’chubad because it is upbeat
and it hurts my hands”
In-Review: CRUSY Fall
Boards/Freshman
Kinnus 2011
By: Hannah Reikes
Senior, Derby USY
•••
On September 15th, the CRUSY year
started off with a huge bang at Fall
Boards/Freshman Kinnus in Toledo
CRUSY has...RUACH!!!
(Continued)
to the songs are available online at www.crusy.org (in the members
section) or in a B'kol Echad.
Screaming your head off or harmonizing with your friend during ruach is
amazing, only if you know the words. Don’t be discouraged, Gabby and
Jordana are here to teach anyone ruach songs, just ask them! We also have
iDaven, an online database of all things ruach! It can be found at
www.usy.org/yourusy/reled/idaven/.
Ohio. The Wild West themed
convention brought board members
and freshmen out from all over the
region to bond, dance, sing, raise TO
money and work to get the region
moving forward in the coming year in
addition to extending a ruach-filled
welcome to the class of 2015. The
congregants of B’nai Israel
Synagogue were fabulous hosts and
everyone had a great time. The
programming was amazing and the
board meetings and money
allocations went smoothly and
productively. Highlights included a
game of Capture the Flag to raise TO
money, beautiful Shabbat services, an
Israel Trivia program, Frisco Kid
Shacharit, seeing old friends, making
new friends, awesome freshmen, the
most amazing senior class that ever
Ruach is the craziest upon craziest places to be. Everyone is all together
dancing, singing, and laughing; it’s a time to be a family. CRUSY is known
for its ruach because each member has an undying, to infinity and beyond
love for singing their hearts out during ruach.
How to Write a Dvar Torah
(Continued)
back to your introduction if necessary and have a strong a good closing
sentence. This is what people will remember about your Dvar Torah.
4. Have friends, your Rabbi, or Rel/Ed look over and possibly edit your Dvar
Torah for mistakes in accuracy and mechanics. You want to sound
professional by using correct grammar while reading your Dvar Torah.
5. Practice reading to yourself in front of a mirror. Read slowly. When you
are ready practice in front of friends or family.
6. This is the big day. Be sure to start with a friendly Shabbat Shalom or
Chag Samech (whichever it is). Read slowly and don’t panic. Mske sure to
get a drink of water before so your throat does not dry out.
You are now all set to write you Dvar Torah! There are many opportunities
to write a Dvar Torah. Whether you write one for you congregational led
minyan at shul (if your synagogue has one) or for USY services. Use this
advice and your Dvar Torah will always sound great!
lived, and CRUSY’s unstoppable
ruach.
PHOTOS FROM FALL KINNUS!