SAM AVISHAY
A Senior at Granada Hills H.S., Sam is hard working, motivated, and always seeks opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community. He has been on his school’s ASB, water polo team, and Speech and Debate team for the past three years, has been SAVP for his TYG (TASTY) for the past 4 years and attended NFTY-EIE Spring 2009 (January-June 2009). He has led, organized, and participated in many tikkun olam projects and is passionate about social justice/action and Tikkun Olam.

RUSSELL LYONS
Russell is a life-long member of San Diego’s Congregation Beth Israel. He enjoys spending his week-ends at events sponsored by his own and other youth groups, as well as at regional and national NFTY events. Russell is a Senior at Laurel Springs Academy. His Sunday mornings are spent as a teacher’s assistant at Beth Israel’s religious school. In his free time, Russell fences, SCUBA dives, volunteers at the San Diego Zoo, and acts. He has his driver’s learner’s permit and looks forward to getting his license so he can visit more youth groups.

ALYSSA MAGIER
Alyssa Magier is a part of TASTY-Culver City. She grew up at Temple Akiba, and when they decided to join NFTY and start a youth group in 2008, she was immediately drawn to the idea. She helped form TASTY’s first board, and spent last year as TASTYCC Social Action VP. Alyssa loves playing Lady Gaga on the piano and making new friends wherever she goes. You can usually find her at the closest frozen yogurt place. She loves being a part of NFTY SoCal, and is super excited to see what her future in the Jewish community has in store for her.

ZACK ROBINSON
Zack Robinson is a 16 year old in 10th grade at L.A.C.E.S. It’s his third year in NFTY, and he proudly sports his NFTY necklace everyday (with a lightning bolt charm that says Lady Gaga on it). He spent three years on T.A.S.T.Y. Board (since its foundation in his 8th grade year!).Besides being an avid NFTY-ite, Zack loves music, and plays piano and guitar pretty well. He is very social and loves to talk to people, especially when they smile. And that is Zack Robinson!

SHANEN SILVERMAN
Shanen Silverman is a dedicated, and friendly young adult who works hard achieving his goals while maintaining a welcoming, approachable atmosphere around him. Committed to maintaining a comfortable and friendly environment is one of Shanen’s top priorities as a leader. By creating an open and social environment, Shanen strives to include everyone in activities. When facing challenges, Shanen is solution oriented. As a forward-thinker, he plans ahead to anticipate and avoid any problems he and those with whom he associates with may encounter.

SOPHIE TRAUBERMAN
Sophie Trauberman is sixteen years old and lives in West Los Angeles. She loves dancing ludicrously, watching Woody Allen films, helping the planet any way she can, and gardening at school instead of doing her math homework. She has been vegan for two years, owns two pet clownfish, and has very long hair. Sophie is outgoing and full of energy! She loves to use her infectious personality to share her beliefs, thoughts, and inspire those around her. Sophie loves NFTY more than anything and is ecstatic to be SoCal President!

MADDY WINARD
It’s not hard to spot Maddy Winard in a large crowd holding her lime green Nalgene while spreading love with her contagious laugh. However, it’s more than that…it’s her fire burnin’-on-the-dance-floor hair and passion for everything Jewish. After seven years at Camp Newman, Maddy decided to spend four months in Israel to continue learning about her religion and her faith. Maddy’s heart extends from Haifa to Eilat and is ready to take on the challenge of RCVP. After living and breathing in the Holyland 24/7, Lady Mad is ecstatic to rep Israeli culture back in SoCal.