By Izzy Lashley, Bus 2 Participant
GUCI: a place with magic, ruach, and one of my favorite places on this Earth. Having gone for six years prior to 2019, the thought of my friends and I coming on NFTY in Israel together was so far out of my mind. I was worried when I began my journey this summer the mysterious magic of GUCI would not follow us all the way to Israel. We’ve been here only a few days, but evidence of it is everywhere. Being on this trip has helped me realize that the magic is not the place, but the people. It is the community that we create and the amazing environment that is created with the presence of the people who have come from GUCI. Personally, I have brought the leadership and mindset that GUCI has taught me to make this experience the best that it can possibly be for me and my friends. The goal is for us to come together as one kehillah (community). Coming on this trip, not all of us were as close as we could be; coming from different sessions, there were difficulties that could have appeared with all the differences. However, if GUCI has taught us anything, it is to create bonds that last a lifetime, and that is exactly what we are doing. Throughout this trip all of us will use the ideas and subjects we learned about during programs at GUCI and apply them to whatever we do here in Israel. Being together with our camp friends, outside of camp, has brought a new side to everyone and will strengthen our bonds.
Camp has taught me how to be responsible for myself and not to rely on people to do things for me. Being in Israel, so far away from home in Cleveland, Ohio, these skills will be tested, but I know that GUCI has prepared me for this fully. There is not a better community or place that could have made this better. GUCI was what helped me to decide to join NFTY and it was one of the best choices I have ever made. It helped me to gain skills that I have already used while on this amazing trip and it gave me something to bond over with the various kids from not only GUCI but other camps around us. The energy that occurs at GUCI, throughout the song sessions, programs, and various themed days has prepared us for the long and exciting days ahead of us. Through bunk nights and yom sport we learned teamwork, good sportsmanship, and how to build each other up. Those ideas have helped us when we have to achieve the task of climbing up a large mountain, drinking water, or even just using the bathroom in the middle of the desert. GUCI is one of my favorite Kehillot in the world and I can’t wait to experience the rest of this amazing country with the people in it.
