With the war in Israel as the backdrop, nearly 80 high school girls gathered at Beis Medrash Mikor Hachaim in Chicago for “Friday Night Lights,” a full Friday night program run by 4G, NCSY’s girls-only division, on Nov. 10.

The program included davening, a Shabbat meal, chaburah learning with advisors, and an oneg and kumzitz.

Mashie Perkins, a freshman at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, appreciated the “very warm environment.”

“I loved to meet people from different schools and grades,” she says.

The program included several elements that infused it with what 4G teen leaders call “achdus and meaning.” Each participant was given the name of an IDF soldier to pray for, and the group completed the entire Sefer Tehillim as a merit for the soldiers, hostages, and all the people of Israel.

The theme for the learning component of the program was “Having Emunah/Faith in Dark Times.” 4G advisors facilitated discussions on how the teens can feel Hashem’s presence even in times of challenge. The evening culminated with a moving kumzitz that strengthened the girls’ bonds to each other and to their extended “family” in Israel.

Avigayil Cohen, a sophomore from Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov, says she appreciated the Israel focus.

“I really liked that we brought Israel into it,” Avigayil says. “It was showing our support in our own way, and I felt that was very, very beautiful.”

Aviva Shabat, a senior at Hanna Sachs Bais Yaakov, says she likewise found the program meaningful.

“We spoke a lot about Emunah, and it just was a really inspiring experience,” Aviva says. “I can’t wait to see what else 4G brings us this year.”