Elias is NCSYer of the Month because he represents the courage and strength that we can all strive for in being a member of the Jewish people. Wanting to ensure that Judaism remained an important part of his, he chose to go to a Jewish school. In his own words, he wanted to be in a Jewish school so he would stay Jewish. On a recent NCSY event, he asked the van to wait, in front of all his friends, so he could run back to the school to get his tephillin. He truly represents the commitment and steadfastness of the great generations of Jews before him and is paving the ways for great generations ahead of him. Congratulations Elias!