Rabbi Israel Lashak was born in Mexico City, Mexico. He attended high school in Baltimore Ner Yisroel Yeshiva where he also received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Talmudic Law. He has an additional Masters degree in administrative science from Johns Hopkins University. In 1992, Rabbi Lashak received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Yochanan Zwieg in Miami, Florida. Rabbi Lashak began his career with NCSY over 20 years ago and became the Regional Director of the Southwest region in 1996. Along the way, Rabbi Lashak has had an immense impact on Klal Yisroel. From founding a school to running Birthright Israel trips, Rabbi Lashak has left no stone unturned in his quest to inspire all Jews of the Dallas community. Of course, his greatest impact has been on the Jewish teens of Dallas, and those from around the country, who have come to thousands of Latte & Learning programs and Shabbatonim or traveled to Europe and Israel on NCSY Summer Programs. He is also a co-founder of NCSY in Latin America and has spent countless hours teaching Spanish-speaking students of all ages, all over North and South America. Rabbi Lashak is also known as a passionate and dynamic public speaker who has thrilled audiences of all sizes and all ages in English, Spanish and Hebrew in twenty-seven different countries.

Hi all, my name is Yisrael Katz from beautiful Denver, CO where I run Denver NCSY throughout the year. I love spaghetti and meatballs and any of the big three sports. If you can tell me what IR7DJ2 means on the first day of Euro Ice, I’ll buy you ice cream. I’m looking forward to spending time with everyone this summer in Europe and Israel but also looking forward to having my beautiful wife and daughter join us as well.

Hey y’all!! My name is Elana Penn and I’m an advisor on Euro ICE this summer! I’m from Los Angeles, California but I currently live in NYC and attend Stern College. I’m a psych major and a huge history nerd. When I am not in school or doing NCSY you can find me either volunteering at a pet shelter (I love people but I like cats a little more), enjoying a psychological thriller, debating politics, on the tennis court, or on the phone with my triplet counterparts.

I am super excited to be a part of Euro ICE this summer and cant wait to meet you all!

Hello chevra!
My name is Sammy Katz and I can’t wait to go to Europe for the first time this summer. I just started YU so my life is taking a downhill spiral from here on out… except euro ICE of course! I am from Teaneck NJ the most Jewish of places and I can’t wait to explore more amazing places this summer. I love Israel and I love America too and golfing. Super excited to meet you all! Sammy 

Hi guys!! My name is Sam Hanover (I’m the one on the right). I’m the great great great granddaughter of the founder of Hanover pretzels and my second cousin twice removed is the owner of the Hanover frozen vegetable line. I hail from the great, but very small, Springfield NJ and have the privilege of living three doors away from the Simpsons. I don’t usually take pictures with donkeys but, this one asked me really nicely. I’m SUPER pumped to meet each and every one of you in 14 days and have the best summer ever !!!

Hi I’m Tali Bean, and made very poor fashion choices as a 7 year old!! Don’t worry, I’ve ditched the glasses/belt/khaki skirt/giant white sneakers look (thanks Mom). As you can tell by my shirt, I’m clearly an out of towner – I’m from Denver, CO, so by default I love to ski and eat granola. Not sure I ❤️ NY but I’ve been living there for the past three years, and just graduated Stern College with a Biology major. Next year I’ll be going to Rutgers dental school, so if anyone is scared of the dentist, I’m really scary. My dream is to visit the giant bean statue in Chicago (look it up) and take a Bean family photo, but I guess going to Vienna, Prague and Budapest with the EURO ICE Ohana will have to do instead! Can’t wait to meet all of you in 16 days!! Get ready for the best summer ever!