This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to go to Perlman. It truly was a magical once in a lifetime experience. If you are hesitant about going, here are my top 10 reasons why you should go to Perlman and have the best summer of your life!
Arriving at Newark airport and running to hug your best friends from IC, CLTC, or other summer programs is one of the best feelings in the world. With all the time to sit around in the airport, you get to meet so many people. With over 200 people at Perlman, you meet so many new people every day in your dorm, at meals, and at all the programs!
In Blueprint and all of the Yesod (elective) options, you learn some of the basic BBYO leadership skills, for example, how to follow MRIHA. But you also have the opportunity to dive into niche electives to expand your knowledge on anything ranging from new member education, to brachot breakdown.
One of the biggest takeaways I had from ILTC was community planning time. This was a time when your region would gather and discuss what you could do to help your region, set goals, and use your knowledge from the blueprint sessions to brainstorm how to better your chapters back home.
Every region has its own unique traditions, and when you have people from all across the country and the world, you can learn about traditions you’ve never heard of and take them back to your own community. Things like cheers, separates, elections, and so much more that look different depending on the region.
The Blueprint leaders at ILTC are some of the best of the best who have so much experience working with BBYO, and they are amazing resources. The Madrichim have been in our shoes, leaders in their regions and campers at Perlman, and are amazing role models. The amazing speakers at Kallah are experts in their activism or work, and it is such a valuable opportunity to learn from them.
Everyone always told me that the Perlman tree was magical, but I didn’t believe it until I was standing under it, surrounded by people who were once strangers to me but are now some of my closest friends. Welcoming a new week with your best friends in one of the most magical places on earth is an experience that is so meaningful it is almost impossible to put into words. Standing in the same place that leaders in your community stood in years before makes you realize that you are a part of something so much bigger, and it is such a special experience.
Kallah is all about exploring your Jewish identity. Through the numerous pluralistic Shabbat options, from a camp-style Shabbat to a traditional service, there are so many opportunities to try something new and grow your Jewish identity.
Even though ILTC seems like a lot of learning and classroom work, we still were at a camp and did the classic camp activities. Swimming in the pool and lake, yoga, Rikudim (Israeli dancing), crafts, sports, and so many more! Chofesh (free time) was a highlight of both programs. This was when we all had time to hang out and rest. The canteen would be open, and we could enjoy our snacks while chilling in our hammocks.
During ILTC, we took a trip to Cooperstown, New York, and visited the Baseball Hall of Fame, caves, and golf courses, and we spent time wandering the main streets of Cooperstown. During Kallah, we traveled to Philadelphia, visited the Constitution Center, saw the Liberty Bell, and ate the famous Philly cheesesteak and water ice. It was so much fun to get out of camp for the day and explore a new town and city!
Going to Perlman this past summer was an unforgettable experience and an amazing opportunity to meet people from all around the world and learn so many valuable skills and lessons that I have brought home with me. I highly recommend that everyone go on Perlman and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Madelyn is a BBG from the Baltimore Council, and she plays basketball and lacrosse
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.
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