39 Teenagers – One Family

By Jolie Pressburger, NFTY in Israel Participant, Bus 2

One thing I’ve noticed as the days left of our Israel experience become numbered and our trip begins wrapping up, is how truly amazing it is that 39 teenagers from all different parts of the US and from all different walks of life came together this past month to form the most loving community that you wouldn’t think would be possible. I personally am joined on this trip by other campers, both first and second session, from my summer camp, GUCI. This trip is seen as time to bond the campers from both sessions as they continue on next summer back at camp. Without hesitation, my favorite part of this trip has been being here with all my friends, some I’ve known for years and some I’ve known for weeks, and exploring the beauty and culture of Israel with them by my side. I can admit it was hard for me to submerge myself into a new place with new foods, a new language, a new way of life, but the one thing that made it worth it every single second of every day was my friends that stood by me, that made me smile and laugh, knowing that I was going to remember my time here with them forever. The most beautiful part of it all is that outside of Israel, outside of camp, chances are I wouldn’t even know most of these people. Yet, here we are able to all bond over our common love of this remarkable country that I never want to leave. Four weeks ago I couldn’t have told you what this trip had in store for all of us, but looking back I can tell you that I can’t fathom it happening any other way. I walked into JFK airport knowing only a portion of my group and I go home with the comfort of knowing that I have 39 new friends, some that will be lifelong. Every single inside joke, meaningful moment, and breathtaking view I will forever remember and it makes me so happy that even though our time here in Israel is coming to an end, the friendships I’ve made here are far from over.

July 8th, Ein Avdat and Sde Boker

July 8th, Ein Avdat and Sde Boker

Written by Leo Kushnir and Nathan Liebman, Yallah! 2024 Participants We started with an early morning in the kibbutz, which was actually our last day waking up here before heading off to Eilat. As usual, we woke up relatively early and got together with friends to...

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Experiencing Auschwitz after 10/7

Experiencing Auschwitz after 10/7

  Written by Eitan Klieger, Yallah! 2024 Participant *This article originally appeared in The Times of Israel Today I walked through Auschwitz. Our teen group went through the gates and saw the camp with our own eyes. We walked the same path that one million Jews...

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First full day in Israel

First full day in Israel

Written by: Lily Gartenlaub, Daria Blyveis and Alex Gutman, Yallah! 2024 Participants Hi all! It’s Lily, Daria, and Alex writing the first teen blog of the summer! We woke up bright and early in our kibbutz rooms and got breakfast together. Then we bussed to...

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Arrival to Israel

Arrival to Israel

Written by Ben Markbreiter, Yallah! 2024 Madrich Today we welcomed the first 16 teens to arrive in Israel this summer with Yallah Israel/MBI! We had an exciting time meeting at the airport where we all learned each others’ names, situated ourselves geographically, and...

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Treblinka

Treblinka

Written by Sophie Math, Yallah! 2024 Participant As I walk along the paths of Treblinka, the only thing I can feel is shock. Every part of the camp was destroyed, completely eradicated to hide any proof of Jewish extermination - a way for the Nazis to avoid taking...

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