Talia Feinberg, 17, is a junior at New Trier High School. For Talia, the highlight of the trip was volunteering at the Houston Food Bank, where the teens helped pack more than 3,400 meals for those in need.
“I really enjoyed giving back and being able to hear the difference in the community we made,” she says.
Talia adds that the trip was also about “connection” – on many levels.
First, she says enjoyed connecting with teens from across Chicagoland and with teens from Minneapolis NCSY/JSU, who joined the Chicago contingent for much of the mission.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with other Jewish teens,” she says, “I hope to stay in touch with all of the people I met.”
Second, Talia says she feels more connected to Judaism and Jewish community.
“Through Shabbat and other Jewish activities, it was great to connect with the Jewish community and also learn more about certain customs I had not been exposed to,” she says.