For Yana Latz, a freshman at Minnetonka High School, the relief mission was a hands-on opportunity to make real change.

Whether painting a home, working on an organic farm, or feeding the homeless, Yana says she “learned first hand how even the smallest contribution can have a big impact.”

“I can incorporate that information into my life back home, and I can keep it in mind when I am helping others,” she says.

For Yana, the mission also proved to be an opportunity to learn about the Jewish values around which the trip was built – and to ask her  own questions about Judaism.

“I got to learn more about Judaism by asking questions and being surrounded by others who valued learning as well as teaching about Judaism,” she says.

The mission also gave Yana a stronger connection to Jewish community.

“I was able to grow as a Jew while meeting new people,” she says.