Welcome to NFTY-GER’s Lit Team corner #2! Here you’ll find great personal stories, poems, pictures, and other things created by NFTY-GER participants. Since we all need a little more NFTY-GER in our lives, this is a great place to come to bring back memories from our events. It’s sure to make you smile every time you stop by! Also, feel free to add your own stories in the comments below!
-Pam, NFTY-GER Youth Programs Manager
———-
I find it ironic how at a Kallah with the theme “Find Your Voice” I lost my voice… for the first time in my Kallah (Kallot?) history. Although I drank 2-3 cups of tea with every meal I ate, and went through an entire bag of cough drops, I was unable to save my voice from the horrible, croaky-frog-ness it is at the moment.
But aside from the fact that my voice is a complete mess, I had a fantastic weekend. I lead a service with two of my best guy friends (besides the fact that two of us were having horribly voice days). I experienced writing and leading a program with my wonderful UMC co-chairs. I bought some pretty cool items at the UMC auction (first pillow pet ever, a Hebrew Coca-Cola shirt, and a vintage looking Star Wars lunchbox). I bought an insanely comfortable pair of sweatpants and gloves that are waaaay too big for my miniscule hands. I had interesting conversations in some of the rooms of the Mo and enjoyed spending time with one of my two UMC roommates until about one in the morning. I had wonderful heart-to-hearts with people, attended an impact session that made me sob, and met some people who, over the course of four days, became really good friends.
There’s something about the community that my school friends have never, and will never, be able to understand. I suppose that one of the major components is that over the course of four days you can meet your new best friend and form friendships that will hopefully last forever. Another reason is that you are all people who can hold intellectual conversations, yet, at the same time, be incredibly goofy. We’re a group of people who actually understand each other’s passions, and even if we don’t, we will take the time and listen to a friend instead of ignoring them. We give each other respect, which is a thing that many high schoolers seldom see. It’s a community where no one is judgmental and where we can be ourselves without fear of discrimination or being looked upon as weird. It’s a safe haven.
These were the fastest four days of my life and I adore the fun, eccentric, supportive, and accepting community of NFTY-GER. This event was fantastic and I saw GER once more astonishing me by growing into a community that can somehow be more loving each time I set foot in it.
Love forever,
Becca Anolick
———-
Winter Kallah was, as always, incredible! One of my favorite parts of the event was the UMC auction. Everyone buys everything for such absurd prices, and it’s so much fun to watch! When the box of pizza was sold, and later a single leftover slice was sold and they were close to the same price, I couldn’t stop laughing. Only NFTY-GER! Anyway, we raised SO much money for UMC scholarships. Because I went to UMC this past summer, it means a lot to me that we all came together for this. The program changes not only the people at the job sites’ lives, but the participants’ lives as well. I’m very thankful that GER could put such a large sum of money towards such a wonderful program, and have fun while doing it! I’m so proud of our region (:
- Michelle Bivas
———-
Two years ago was my first Winter Kallah.
Two years ago, I fell in love with NFTY.
Two years ago, I did not know how to speak up and use my voice.
At this past Winter Kallah, I was reminded of my passions and how to find my voice. In Jenny and Eddie’s program, I was able to see how many other people felt the same way about certain causes when we all shined our flashlights onto the ceiling. In Jared’s program, I learned the importance of teamwork and the effect that we can have if we work together. In Ish’s program, I learned how to use my voice to speak up for what I believe in.
At every event, Havdallah is so special to me. However, this Havdallah at Winter Kallah was significant. As I walked inside holding hands with my best friends, I looked around the spiral. New Members, current members, the staff standing behind us, and past NFTY members were all mesmerized by the candlelight. All of our singing voices were together as one. Every single person in that room was connected at that very moment. When I looked at everyone holding hands, I realized how powerful our voices can be together. Yes, as a person you can make a difference. Though, imagine the effect that 150 people can have together. It’s amazing.
At Winter Kallah, I rediscovered my passions and causes that I care about.
At Winter Kallah, I listened and learned of what other people are passionate about.
At Winter Kallah, I learned how to speak up and use my voice.
- Miriam Edelstein
———-
When a bus is filled with so many friends
When you’re not even thinking about the end
When getting your roommates brings great cheer
When you can’t wait for everyone else to get here
When finding your voice is why you came
When you lose your voice all the same
When song sesh can never get too loud
When EPIC DANCE POSES makes you stand out in a crowd
When you can have Havdallah on a Monday
When Jon makes it awkward, but you enjoy it anyway
When the Tochnits have the most interesting name themes
When you see things are easier done as a team
When spontaneous dance parties break out on their own
When the power of the first follower is shown
When a walk in the rain with your friends can be sweet
When you find a new table, there are so many people to meet
When the Greenhouse is a house that’s painted green
When free time in the Mo is a sight to be seen
When watching hair shaving is a whole event
When the thing that matters are the good feelings being sent
When the issues that matter to us are exposed
When we’re shouting our opinions till our cases are closed
When being awkward is completely accepted
When you feel welcome, cause no one’s rejected
When being thrown in the lake is a promise, no threat
When I’m still waiting cause they haven’t done it yet
When receiving a GER-am makes you smile
When we’re getting phone numbers, cause we won’t see each other for awhile
When Leaving on a Jet plane is a sad song to sing
When a pile of shoes is a beautiful thing
When the sight of buses fills you with dread
When all our sorrow filled good byes are said
When we know what’s so wonderful about GER-ites
When we have to hold each other tight
When they’re more than words ‘live and die’
When we know we are ‘N-F-T-Y’
- Morgan Wilinksy
———-
Second Chances
Last year, I rode the bus to Winter Kallah anxiously; I was giving NFTY a second chance after not loving my first event and was so nervous. I really did not know very many people and most of the good friends I made at my first event were not going to be joining me for my second… But by the end, I really enjoyed Winter Kallah and it was the beginning of my love for NFTY, even though it was not yet a solid love. I made some of my best friends at that Kallah even as I may have made some mistakes along the way. So I hope that all members who were giving NFTY a second or third (or even first) try were able to feel the same way I did by the end of the Kallah last year.
One special memory I will never forget from Winter Kallah last year is when I became sure that I wanted to spend at my summer at Urban Mitzvah Corps. That is decision that led to an incredibly amazing experience that has totally changed my life.
It is so awesome to look back and see how much things have changed and they have definitely changed. As I reflect on my experience this year, I can definitely sum it up with a sentence: Another fantastic NFTY event, another great experience, and another million memories. And I know that these are the days that I’ll never forget.
- Jenna Wyatt
