This summer, I attended CLTC 3. It was one of the best experiences of my life. At CLTC, I formed amazing friendships with people from all over the world and learned so many things about leadership, but the most impactful part for me was connecting with my Judaism.

When I first joined BBYO in 8th grade, to be frank, being Jewish was not all that important to me. After my Bat Mitzvah, I had no aspirations to continue learning about Judaism or practicing. However, that all changed once I discovered BBYO. 

My journey discovering my Jewish heritage and identity had been a slow one until I attended CLTC. Being part of this organization has brought me an amazing community and taught me about the meaningful experiences I could have and the value I could get out of being Jewish. It was the little things like doing the Birkat Hamazon, the blessing after meals, and listening to my friends about what Judaism meant to them that made me want to connect more with my own Judaism.

However, there was one moment that truly made me realize how much of a privilege it is to be Jewish. The First Friday Shabbat service made me feel more connected to G-d and my culture than ever before. Everyone was sitting together and singing words I've known all my life, but I’d never understood their meaning before now. The impact of this moment is indescribable; my heart had never felt more full, and I'd never felt more at home. After the service, the night continued with activities and Shabbat experiences, and that feeling of connection remained.

I grew up multi-religious. My dad’s side of the family is Christian, and my mom is Jewish, so I've spent my whole life celebrating both the Jewish and Christian parts of my heritage but never really feeling connected to either. Growing up, being Jewish felt like an obligation, not a choice. Going to Sunday School every week felt less like learning about being Jewish and more like being forced out of bed too early in the morning. However, at CLTC I was given the option to connect more with Judaism, and I took it not out of obligation, but out of love. Choosing to learn about being Jewish led to the Shabbat that showed me how amazing it could feel to connect with Judaism, and that has made me wish to continue strengthening this connection for the rest of my life. 

I will forever be thankful to CLTC and BBYO for creating a space where experiences like this can happen, where I could find a safe space to explore and connect with Judaism on my terms. CLTC gave me so many amazing things, friends, experiences, and most importantly, a Jewish connection that I intend to maintain.