Mechina rolls around for the second time. I went on the RCVP trip, which let me meet those in my network and start forming connections. It was amazing to see how one of the members of my own network from the year before, Rio Blue, was now the head of the new group. I began to consider my own future in NFTY, something that occurs frequently. I spent the rest of Mechina meeting the amazing leaders that are in our movement, and seeing the incredible things that we are poised to achieve.
My first event of my senior year finally came. I had spent four weeks at camp, and spending the fifth there with NFTY was very good for me. What wasn't so good was what was going on at home. My mom had, halfway through the summer, been diagnosed with breast cancer. I had discovered this the day before I left for camp, so it was most definitely plaguing my mind. Having the chance to be with NFTY allowed me to ease my mind and to be comfortable with those around me. Frankly, I was comforted by the company of my best friends.
Two moments stick out for me as the turning points of Summer Kallah and my term as RCVP. The first was on Friday night, during services. My friends from school had just arrived and the weather outside featured a nasty thunderstorm. We cam together for the first time as a full community. I don't remember what the theme was for the service. It didn't even matter. We sang and prayed with an enthusiasm I don't think I have ever seen before or since. We enjoyed Shabbat with all of our hearts and were moved by the experience. It was a life-changing moment for everyone involved, and still gives me chills when I think about it.
The second moment came during Havdallah. I created a Jewish star with candles and allowed each person to light one, completing the star with light. I had no idea what would come from this. What resulted was a single photo of a illuminated Jewish Star that blazed across the wallpaper of every phone in NFTY CANOe. Many NFTYites still have this wallpaper for their phone, even now so many months later. This was an example of making something tangible, despite the loftiness of my religious duty.
As my senior year in NFTY progressed, I spent more of my time working beyond simply writing services. I tried to write blog posts to open the eyes of my region. I tried to incorporate Judaism into the lives of all NFTYites.
Now we come to the most significant time of my NFTY life: my second Convention. Before the event, I decided that I, after serving two years as the Chicago Area Region Religious and Cultural Vice President, I wanted to move up to the next level. I would run for the North American RCVP position. This is a position that many had encouraged me to pursue and that I knew I could do. I also knew that this would be my way of remaining in the movement for the benefit of both the organization and myself.
Once at Convention, it turned out I could relax a little bit (I was running unopposed), yet I also wanted to make sure that all of those in NFTY knew how much I loved it and how much I was willing to do to advance the movement.
Over the course of five days, I was involved in amazingly eye-opening services, educational programming, and intense fun. I also saw close to 800 Jews come together to rock out with our greatest Jewish musical artists. Nothing is more meaningful than rocking out while praising God.
At the end of the event, elections took place where I and three others (eventually four) were selected to be the next leaders of the North American Federation of Temple Youth. I am so excited to get the chance that so few have ever had, and to truly make the organization that I love so much a meaningful experience for all young Jews.
More later.
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