Over 40 Midwest NCSY teens are getting ready to head to Israel this July for summer fun – and inspiration.

Teens from Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, and St. Louis will be participating in a wide array of NCSY Summer Programs, including Derech, Euro Israel, Give, Jolt Israel, Kollel, Michlelet and Michlelet Mechina.

Last week, girls from Chicago got together for a Pre-Summer Send Off, led by 4G Director Avigayil Strulowitz.

The teens enjoyed meeting each other, while hearing from trip alumni about what to expect in Israel. And they say they are looking forward to a meaningful summer – one that might be more meaningful specifically because of what’s happening on the ground in Israel.

“Even thought there is a war… I’m still excited to go since it means there are more chessed opportunities for me to do, and I’ll hopefully be able to make a difference in a soldier’s life,” says Rivky Belsh, an incoming junior at Ida Crown Jewish Academy and a Give participant.

Ava Glickman, an incoming junior at Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov who will be attending Michlelet, shares a similar sentiment.

“[I want] to grow and learn and experience things I never did before,” she says.