Evie Gardner (c.) says she loved everything about her summer in Israel – from the water sports to the new friendships to what she describes as the “unity and strength” of Israel’s people.

An incoming junior at St. Paul Academy in Minnesota, says she was particularly moved by a visit to Mt. Herzl where Israel’s fallen soldiers are buried.

“You hear about all these deaths that seem so far away, and then you get to see the sacrifice [these soldiers] made for Israel and for you to exist and live your life, and it’s so inspiring,” she says.

Another highlight for Evie was the daily chaburahs, or study groups, led by college-age advisors.

“My advisor emphasized the point of making [Judaism] your own,” Evie explains. “Because you can go through the motions and it’s still great, but once it means something to you, it becomes so much more powerful.”

Most of all, Evie says, on TJJ she found Jewish community.

“I don’t have a huge Jewish community where I live, and sometimes I find it difficult to really share who I am as a person because of my views on Israel and my love for Judaism,” she says. “But when you are around like-minded Jewish teens, it’s so nice to really share every part of yourself.

“[It] was so magical that we could unite over being Jewish.”