Over the past five days, we’ve been busy making new friends, electing our movement’s next leaders, exploring Philly, and holding the largest Shabbat dinner ever (Yes, really). 

Nearly 3,400 of us showed up, representing 511 chapters across 76 regions and communities. Forty-nine North American states, districts, and provinces (maybe next year, Wyoming & Idaho), fifty-two countries from six continents– all coming together in Philadelphia for one unforgettable week.

But almost as crazy as where we came from is how we got there.

We collectively travelled fifteen million, one hundred twenty thousand, eight hundred miles traveled to make it all happen. To put that into perspective, that's 607 trips around the Earth or 31 round-trips to the moon.

We participated in thirty-five LEADS programs (51 if you include AZAA & BBGG), developing leaders, and learning from real-world experience. On Sunday, we went on twenty-five sightseeing experiences across the city. We ran forty-one Shabbat services and thirty-six Limmud programs (not even including amplifiers), diving into learning, identity, and big conversations.

Supporting it all were three hundred staff members, working tirelessly 

More than 900 adults joined us, from speakers to performers, to philanthropists, clergy, alumni, business leaders, educators, partners, volunteers, parents, and so much more. In addition, thirty partner organizations collaborated to bring content, opportunity, and connection to life.

These numbers may seem like a lot. And they are. But beyond it all, it was the people.

It was the Alephs and BBGs who chose to show up.
It was old friends reconnecting in crowded hallways.
It was first-time delegates realizing just how big this movement really is.
It was communities standing together for the first time.
It was late-night conversations that won’t be forgotten.
It was Shabbat melodies echoing across thousands of voices.
It was teens stepping onto stages they never thought they would stand on.
It was leaders growing in real time.
It was pride.
It was energy.
It was 3,400 stories unfolding at once.

It was IC 2026.

See you in Baltimore!

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