She Fell In Love In the First Place
So, JYG = Amazing. But really, who would ever expect anything less? Not I, the person who has attended 4 JYG programs - 2 as a PP and 2 as an RA. I came home and wrote following email to the Presidents network - it sums up my feelings regarding the weekend.
Hey there aMaZiNg presidents!
Just thought that I would drop you all a line from the wonderful Ohio Valley.
This past weekend we held our 8th annual JYG event at Goldman Union Camp Institute. We had about 70 7th and 8th graders, 17 NFTYites, and of course a group of amazing advisors. On Saturday night during our friendship circle we asked the kids to raise their hands if they were planning on coming to a NFTY event in high school...everyone in that circle put their hand up in the air. What an incredible feeling.
As I am nearing the end of my time in NFTY (we only have one more event for the year), I have found myself becoming nostalgic at times...but as always, JYG reminds me that although there might be small glitches along the way, we have to look at the big picture and relish in the little moments that sparked our initial love with NFTY. There is a line in the song 'Freshman' by Verve pipe that goes She fell in love in the first place...it kept running through my head and I realized that I fell in love back in 7th grade. I fell in love with the people, the movement, the idea of being able to create change...I fell in love with NFTY.
As we are winding down the year I ask each of you to take a look back. It might sound sappy and silly, but please take that moment. What we have done as a group of people will affect so many in the years to come. Don't forget what sort of impact that you can have and have had.
B'ahava v'ruach,
Elyse