Just over two weeks ago I was on a plane to New York City, and I had no idea what was waiting for me when I arrived. It was a weekend I had been looking forward to all year: the Rise UP cohort’s shabbaton and the two days following at the ADL Never Is Now Summit. Back in June, when the ILN applications opened up, it was the first thing that caught my eye. A group where I could meet teens from all over the Order, share my experiences with antisemitism that are often so isolating, and learn how to combat this hatred, all inside of BBYO. Sign me up! 

And so I did. I wrote out my answers and submitted the application as soon as I could. Best decision ever. Come October, and we had our first meeting. It was an amazing feeling, even over Zoom, to see so many teens committed to the same conversations and workshops as me, and eventually, projects on combating antisemitism. Fast forward three months, and the projects began. We were able to choose between working on an advocacy, education, technology, or research project, and were split into groups of people who picked the same topic. I picked advocacy and, a few weeks later, had my first call with the group. Over our project calls leading right up to the culminating trip, our group leaders brainstormed an amazing acronym, STAND. Then we took STAND and ran with it. 

STAND stands for Stand up against antisemitism, Teach yourself about Jewish and Israeli history, Allocate time for teaching in your community, Nurture cross-community relationships, and Dedication to Jewish heritage. This easy to remember acronym, which in itself is a reminder to STAND up for ourselves and the Jewish community, has a page of resources and a vast variety of responses and advice for dealing with antisemitism corresponding to each letter. Over these calls, I watched this one word be brought to life, and watched my own ideas and experiences, along with those of my fellow group members, fuel STAND into action. 

Finally, Friday morning came, and it was time to fly to NYC for our shabbaton. I sat waiting at the airport, nervous to join a group of people whom I knew none of, yet something in me said this was going to be a trip to remember, and it was. One long, delay filled travel day later, our group of nearly 30 teens, from five different countries and 24 different communities, gathered as one for the very first time. I watched as we turned from strangers and acquaintances into friends, and the connections blossomed almost instantaneously. Shabbat began and we walked to a synagogue, attended services, then walked to the NYU Hillel for dinner, where we had the privilege of hearing from a current NYU freshman, and former GCR N’siah, on her experiences there. 

Saturday took us to a new synagogue, then to the park for meaningful conversations on our experiences at the synagogues we had been to, which differed from one another. The afternoon led us to more small and large group discussions on identifying antisemitism and antizionism, and sharing personal experiences. What struck me throughout those conversations was how connected our group had become and how, when one person spoke, everyone truly wanted to listen. This was a group of people where every person had valuable opinions and experiences they shared, and we listened to each other. Next, presentations of each group’s projects came. I was amazed by the effort every group had put in, and also by how every project managed to be completely unique from the others. When it was my group’s time to present, I honestly had so much fun. Watching all the hard work come together was an incredible experience. Through skits, debates, and hands-on activities and games, every person in the room walked away from the presentations with new knowledge and confidence for the next time they may encounter antisemitism. I certainly did. 

The rest of the night was filled by dinner and even more deep discussions, along with a beautiful havdalah. While in our havdalah circle, surrounded by newfound friends, I looked around and felt a community that, to my amazement, only met a mere 24 hours before. One of the best parts of BBYO, in my opinion, is that there are truly people from all over the world, and we all come together as one. This cohort was a microcosm of that quality, and in that moment I truly understood that I am a part of something much bigger than myself, and that in Rise UP, along with BBYO as a whole, you are never alone. 

The rest of the weekend and ADL summit passed in a whirlwind. Sunday took us to Ellis Island and Soho, where the afternoon’s freedom allowed us to bond with one another even more (and be the best NYC tourists we could be). That night, we headed uptown for a deeply impactful show, written and performed by Ari’el Stachel, Tony award winning actor. Monday and Tuesday led the group to the Javits Center for the ADL Never Is Now Conference. We heard from some of the biggest voices against antisemitism, practiced our networking skills and learned about all the efforts constantly being put towards stopping antisemitism and increasing Jewish joy. We even watched two amazing group members, the leads of my project group, speak on a panel about their own experiences with antisemitism, and they crushed it.

Before we knew it, it was time to part ways and go home. Immediately I found myself struggling to say goodbye. What I gained over these five days is 100 times greater than what I could have guessed going into it. I found confidence in myself and what I have to say, learned how spread Jewish joy and combat antisemitism, and best of all, found 30 new best friends from all over the Order, Alephs and BBGs whom with I share values, memories, and a drive to fight for a better future, because we are the future, and that future starts now. Join the Rise UP Cohort. You won’t regret it!