For the 40+ Midwest NCSY teens who are now in Israel, it’s been no ordinary summer.
Like every year, the teens are taking in the sites, making new friends, and experiencing Israeli life and culture. But this year they are experiencing something even more powerful.
The teens, from across NCSY’s Summer Programs, say being in Israel during wartime is teaching them positivity, hope, faith, and resilience.
And it’s teaching them that “Am Yisrael Chai” isn’t just a catchy song. It’s an affirmation of the continuity of the Jewish People, and a directive for living one’s life as a Jew, in all places and in all times.
Read on as our teens share their experiences…
Tzofia Dean (l.), an incoming Junior at Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, MO, spent her summer on TJJ, NCSY’s summer trip to Israel for public school teens.
For Tzofia, the trip was an opportunity for Jewish growth.
“TJJ has helped me grow as a Jew in so many different ways, from strengthening my connection to the Land of Israel to learning from my amazing advisors in chaburah [learning groups,]” she says. “It was the perfect environment to help me be able to stay consistent with the mitzvos I wanted to work on and also take on.”
Tzofia adds that being in Israel specifically during the war made her feel supported – and connected.
“It was so amazing and special, constantly being surrounded by Jews and people who care and will fight for the State of Israel,” she says.
“I really felt connected to the Land and to the people around me.”
Rochel Gertz (2nd from l.), an incoming Junior at Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov in Chicago, IL, is spending her summer on Michlelet, which combines Torah learning and chesed.
Rochel describes the learning as “enjoyable and relatable,” and says she appreciates the wide variety of chesed opportunities, including a carnival Michlelet participants ran for displaced families and families of soldiers.
“I’m surrounded by so much inspiration, incredible speakers, and amazing friends,” Rochel says.
Rochel adds that she felt the impact of the war most when the group met with Hadas Loewenstern, the widow of American-Israeli reservist Rabbi Elisha Loewenstern who was killed in Gaza.
“[Hadas] went through this terrible tragedy… [yet] she spoke so positively about all the events that occurred until now in her life,” says Rochel. “She really gave me a new outlook on how to stay positive even through the hard time we are going through now.”
And this message of positivity is something Rochel says she is experiencing the entire summer.
“Michlelet has shown me how to stay positive through these hard times and continues to show me so much inspiration,” she says.
Jack Marshall (front), an incoming Junior at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, is spending his summer on JOLT in Chicago, IL, which focuses on leadership development while touring Israel.
This year the program features several war-related activities, including a meeting with Yaakov Argamani, father of rescued hostage Noa Argamani.
Jack says he found this meeting particularly inspiring.
“Through all of it, [Yaakov] never lost hope,” says Jack. “Even in a time where it would be so easy to look and say, ‘There is no G-d’ or ‘G-d has abandoned me,’ Yaakov stayed true to his beliefs and never gave up his confidence that one day his daughter would return.”
Jack adds that Mr. Argamani taught him a lesson for life.
“I think Yaakov’s hope is something that we can all learn from, that we must not lose faith in Hashem, and we cannot stop fighting for every last one of the hostages until everyone is home,” he says.
Josh Miller, an incoming Junior at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, IL, is spending his summer on NCSY’s new Derech program, which he says provided “the incredible opportunity to deepen my Torah learning and engage with the vibrant Jewish community [in Israel].”
For Josh, being in Israel during these difficult times adds a new dimension to the experience.
“[It] has been both humbling and inspiring, [seeing] the resilience and strength of our people and… the profound significance of this land to our heritage.”
Josh calls his experience “transformative” and says, “[It has] reinforced my commitment to living a meaningful Jewish life and incorporating Hashem in everything.”
Top photo: JOLT teens meet with Yaakov Argamani (center), father of rescued hostage Noa Argamani.