10 Things You Don’t Know About Me – Amit Castel
Get to know Young Judaea’s new Central Shaliach and Director of Israel Education, Amit Castel!
Month: October 2023
Our National Mazkir on Israel
By Jonny Jentis, National Mazkir 2023-2024
Spoken at the YJ Community-Wide Havdalah on October 14, 2023
Shalom everyone,
My name is Jonathan Jentis and I am the national Mazkir this year. I am a senior in high school living in New Jersey. Having been in Young Judaea, Zionism and Israel have been major parts of my life. Even this summer I was able to journey to Israel on Gesher where I saw a perfectly peaceful Gazan border and experienced the joys and wonders of Israel. With that in mind, I would like to speak, not about the shocking and disturbing events that we have all heard and seen over the past few days, but about my experience and the whirlwind of contradictions I have faced.
Saturday morning started like any other; I woke up about 2 hours after my alarm, rolled out of bed, and meandered downstairs to my kitchen. There I was greeted by a snapchat message from one of my friends in Israel from the Gesher trip; The message read “I am in a bomb shelter right now. My parents are in the south where Hamas attacked. I haven’t heard from them in 3 hours.” This is how I found out about the attack; not a news article, not an Instagram post, not some random Tiktok. A desperate cry of fear and anxiety from someone I had lived with for almost an entire month over the summer. A cry for help from someone I had no way of helping. I sent thoughts and prayers and tried to help them stay positive, but from what I knew, I was almost certain their parents were dead. That’s how I spent Saturday with contradiction #1; trying to convince her that her parents might still be alive while being almost certain they weren’t.
By some miracle, the IDF did manage to save her parents. This gave me time to process my other emotions and see other reactions. Expecting unilateral Israel support, I found a friend from school posting a Palestinian flag with the caption “Takeover is near”. This led me to another contradiction: What’s the difference between Pro-palestine and Pro-hamas? At the end of the day I advocate for peace, and as I tried to explain how problematic the post was, my classmate seemed to indirectly justify the actions Hamas took. “War is war” and “Israel does it too” were her responses to me. The line between wanting peace in the Middle East and terrorism should not be close; the ideas should not even be considered as alternatives to each other yet Hamas’s heinous actions have pushed the limits so that supporting one has become synonymous with the other. We as Young Judaeans have to be able to call people out when they cross the line; for the safety of ourselves, the Jewish people, and the state of Israel.
It seems that everyday, a new email comes in marking the passing of yet another alum from our Young Judaea community. Friends, counselors, family; everybody knows somebody. It is more important than ever that we stay connected even while separated across the country. We have lived together, we have laughed together, and now we mourn together as a YJ community. But there will come a day when we will celebrate together again.
That brings me to one of my final contradictions: supporting Israel’s right to defend itself from this horrendous act but also a cry for peace in the Middle East. Israel needs to defend itself from this attack but more death will not bring back what we all lost. In support of peace, my Maz (teen board) and I are looking for ways to contribute. Keep on the lookout for more Israel initiatives by following the @yjteens Instagram. Hopefully any teens on this call will join us tomorrow for a community Israel event to learn and digest what is going on right now. Please look out for a link to donate to help fund many of the actions YJ is taking in Israel. Our Year Course teens are already working to do what they can in Israel, and we hope to raise money so YJ can support refugees, package supplies, and give relief and aid to all who need it.
Lastly, we must address Israel. I know in the past I have been critical of Israel’s government and its decisions; just like America, or the UK, or any other country in the world, Israel makes good and bad decisions. But being critical does not mean we have to denounce Israel. Everyone here I’m sure has a variety of opinions on how Israel should handle the coming days and weeks; but the important thing is that the people of Israel need our support. Something one of my Rabbis said to me this past Thursday at a vigil has stuck with me: “In the first 12 hours of Hamas’s attack, we saw what it would be like if Israel didn’t exist”. Israel is a safe haven for us and needs the support so as to not be destroyed by the many enemies it has. I know for certain, I and many others may still criticize the decisions of the Israeli government, but, no matter what you or I believe, my support (and hopefully yours) will never waver. Israel doesn’t just deserve to exist; its existence is a necessity for the Jewish people and the generations to come.
Shavua tov and good night.
A Statement from the Maz
The following statement was released from the 2023-2024 National Mazkirut on October 9, 2023 following the horrific attacks in Israel.
Currently in My Tower
By Gabriella Stein, Year Course 2023-2024
I was sitting on the floor in my basement. I had just spent thirty minutes picking out the perfect outfit for my Barbie doll. I had the most perfect story planned out, she was gonna go to the prom and dance with the Ken doll, and by the end they would fall in love and get married. I don’t know when I blinked. But I did. And suddenly, the world is excruciatingly more complicated.
I don’t know why they don’t prepare you for it. For feeling like the world is playing against you in a really intense thumb wrestle. You go in pretty confident, you’ve got a pretty strong thumb and a killer strategy, but after you count down, you realize your thumb may not be as prepared as you may have thought. As the thumbs dance around each other a few times, you’ve faked out your opponent. Maybe they’re thinking you’re stronger than you look? Nope. The other thumb grabs you quickly. Your thumb is being pushed into your index finger. It hurts a little, but you’ve only been playing for a few seconds so you scramble back to the starting position. Now you’re nervous, you can’t get too cocky. Now you know what you’re dealing with, and you know there’s a chance you come out a failure but you’re not willing to go down without a fight. That is high school.
I had assumed since I won the thumb war (and let me tell you I’ve earned bragging rights) I wouldn’t have to keep playing such a childish game after graduation. Good thing I didn’t have enough time to give that thought too much attention. Because here I am, three months out of high school faced with a thumb that resembles a Palestinian terrorist. (No, seriously.) I write this strange metaphor for you from my room on my Gap Year program in Israel, three days after Hamas initiated the war against Israel.
Now as I mentioned, I am fresh out of high school. I was blessed with a late birthday, so I’m not even eighteen yet. To be totally honest with you, dear reader, I was not terribly good at paying attention during social studies class. It is not my fault that at the time I needed to put my mind towards the attention of my notebook where there were doodles that simply had to be drawn. My dad told me on the phone today he wished I had paid more attention, since I am sitting smack in the middle of a war zone. While I do agree, maybe it would’ve been benefical to understand truly what was happening around me, I think maybe it’s a good thing I had been doodling. Because, at age seventeen I shouldn’t really have to understand war. I should not have to expirence it firsthand. My teachers taught me to take a stand in my writing, not to waiver between different opinions. But, my opinion in this case is one with a few different perspectives. Maybe I should’ve paid more attention, maybe I should’ve plugged my ears with earbuds and blasted Copacobana and danced around the room, maybe I should’ve been advocating they teach my public school peers the truth about the debacle in the Middle East. But honestly, I’m not sure which reality I choose. Choose to understand and comprehend the magnitude of my situation? Or choose to live in ignorance? I’d continue to type, but my answer to my own question is becoming clear. Maybe my doodles could’ve been saved for later.
It’s hard. As I’ve begun to educate myself and my leaders on this program have been teaching us, it’s still hard to truly wrap my head around what is happening. I read the stories and watch the videos, but my simple mind is unable to truly comprehend the massacre I’ve been lucky enough to dodge. I’m a total outsider, living within a guarded community in the country. I am a total foreigner, living in a bubble. In a bubble I don’t know how I landed a spot in. How is it that mere miles away from me are people that are living in terror, and I am sitting wrapped in a blanket with a pillow behind my back as I type? How do you comprehend that? How could it possibly be true the things I read? There is simply no way. We live in a world where people play with dolls and dress them up, how are innocent people being kidnapped? How is it that the world I once lived in, where nothing bad ever really happened, was really an illusion? What can I do to help? But does helping mean putting myself in a dangerous position? I want to hide. But hide from what? Hide from the monsters I cannot hear or see, but I just know are there?
Imagine sitting in a protected tower. Your magical golden hair locked away, because if the wrong people were to get their hands on it, there would be nothing left of you. You have a visitor come through the secret passage into the tower. The visitor tells you there is war surrounding the tower. You believe them, because you see the terror and sorrow behind their eyes. But you cannot see it. You just know you are surrounded, but the war doesn’t really have anything directly to do with you, but if you were to get involved your magical hair would be too valuable to the soldiers and they would take you away. So all you can do is sit in your tower and pray. Pray that those who aren’t as fortunate as you are to be protected, have a way to stay alive.
Luckily, you sit in the tower with your friends. Some new friends, some you would consider to be family. You all sit together in the tower. Keeping each other busy, but still discussing the condition of the world around you. Some of your friends understand better than others. And they want out. They want out of the tower. Out of the kingdom. They want to go home to their families, living safe and sound in a far away land. (Oh, did I mention that your friends also have magical hair??? You’re all distant relatives of Rapunzel. It’s complicated, just go with it.) You know you’re safe in the tower. The fire breathing dragons that surround the place keep it pretty safe. There are even magical owls that come every once in a while to teach you and keep you company. But still, your friends want out. All you want is normalcy. You’ve only just moved into the tower. You’ve only just gotten used to the idea that you could get to enjoy a whole year of magic with your favorite people. That’s when the Palestinian thumbs started the war. They took away that feeling of relief once you were out of high school and no longer had to play anymore. You’re heartbroken the inside of your bubble is falling apart, but how could you possibly feel that way about your situation when all around the tower there is war. I could be wrong, but even if I had paid closer attention, that wouldn’t have taught me that in social studies.
I hope you’ll excuse all the metaphors and made up scenarios. They are helping me to explain. Because the reality is, there is no easy and straightforward way to explain this reality. Hence the thumbs, magical hair, and dragons. Hopefully it was easy enough to follow. If so, do you want to explain to me what you gathered? Because I’m still trying to make sense of it all.
Year Coursers turned NYC Roommates
Edan Coben, Ilan Goldstein, Jared Schermer, and Jake Siegel were all brought together through various Young Judaea programs, culminating in having the time of the their life on Year Course! Now, the four of them live in New York City and recently hosted the 20’s/30’s Shabbat Dinner on October 20th (with over 50 attendees!)
We caught up with them to ask about their friendship, and favorite YJ memories.
How did you all meet?
Edan: I met Jake and Ilan on our amazing Year Course. I met Jared shortly after (and many others) through my Year Course friends.
Ilan: Jared and I met for the first time at camp Tel Yehudah in 2011 but did not really become friends until 2018 during our first unofficial YJ winter trip. I met Jake in the summer of 2014 a few months before our Year Course started when he was visiting some of his camp friends who were my close friends from high school. It was then that I officially became his first friend on Year Course. I met Edan in the first week of Year Course at one of our Siyurim in Bat Yam and within six weeks we became roommates during the volunteer period shuffle.
Jared: Edan, Jake and Ilan went on Year Course with my best friends from Camp Judaea. So when they got back we became close over the years. I like to say I became friends with them without having to pay for it, but I definitely still have Year Course FOMO.
Jake: I met Edan and Ilan through Year Course, and I met Jared through Coby Tuchman, Ari Lusky and Leon Faigenblat after YC in Miami. All of us have been brought together both directly and indirectly by Young Judaea.
What YJ programs did you do?
Edan: I grew up going to CYJ Texas where I was a counselor for two summers when I got older and then had a blast on Year Course!
Ilan: I spent two years at camp Tel Yehudah, where I first became convinced that I would go on Year Course. After coming back from Year Course I attended 3 annual JNF conferences as part of the YJ delegation.
Jared: Camp Judaea (2006-2010, staff 2013 and 2015), TY and Machon.
Jake: I actually hadn’t done any YJ programs in the past, me finding Year Course was a purely serendipitous happening. One that has had a profound effect on my life.
What are you all doing in NYC now?
Edan: I’m working as a Software Engineer for an agriculture company and connecting with lots of amazing Jewish people.
Ilan: I currently work in clinical research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and spend my free time exploring the city and introducing my YJ circle to other friends who live here.
Jared: I work as a creative at an advertising agency. Edan also filled a wall in our apartment with like 120 restaurants, venues and experiences around NYC, so we’ve been trying to hit as many of those as we can. Ask him about it.
Jake: Lots of time spent with the Young Judaeans in the city, playing soccer, and shredding up the guitar.
What’s the most unforgettable memory from Young Judaea?
Edan: Celebrating my 19th birthday on Year Course in Jerusalem with so many amazing people. Love the friendships we built.
Ilan: Walking around the Old City of Jerusalem during one of the first days of Spring with three friends who I had known for 18 years, 5 years, and 6 months (in order of oldest to newest) and feeling equal love for all of them and spiritual connection to the space around me.
Jared: It’s got to be the Camp Judaea trip to NYC when we were in Kesher. A lot of stories have withstood the test of time from that.
Jake: Sorry to be this way but truly the entire year of Year Course was unforgettable and something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life
Can you share a funny or unexpected incident from a Young Judaea event or camp?
Edan: The kitchen raids I led as a camp counselor, we had permission to sneak into the kitchen and “steal” ice cream but the kids had so much fun I’ll always remember how happy it made the campers.
Jared: One time a camper climbed a tree at CJ and people thought he was missing. For like hours. Turns out he just fell asleep in the tree, and he was really surprised when he woke up.
Jake: I dropped Edan on his face while trying to spin him around on Year Course, luckily he forgave me soon after and we can laugh about it now.
How has Young Judaea influenced your Jewish identity?
Edan: My time with Young Judaea has made me very proud to be Jewish. It has challenged me to think deeper about what is means to be Jewish and how it can enrich your life.
Ilan: I have unofficially been a part of Young Judaea since I was in the womb. As a legacy Year Courser (Dan “Spor” Goldstein, ’79-’80) and former resident of Kibbutz Ketura, I’ve grown up with strong Zionist values and a drive to be part of Tikkun Olam.
Jared: YJ gave me my friends, spirit, life outlook and a sense of humor, all of which I’d say are pretty Jewish. It also gave me a strong connection to Israel that’s only grown since.
Jake: YJ helped my communication skills while discussing Jewish life and Israel with others. It’s important because it’s a big piece of my identity and I’m grateful to my Year Course experience for growing that part of me.
Meet the 23-24 National Mazkirut!
Words from our YJ National Mazkir
Shalom Chaverim,
My name is Jonathan Jentis and I am the new National Mazkir for 2023-2024. I am a High School Senior in New Jersey. Growing up, I went to Camp Sprout Lake for six years and then continued my YJ journey to Camp Tel Yehudah. Unfortunately my first year of TY was ripped away by COVID, leaving me longing for more Young Judaea. While TY-fi (virtual TY) was a fun substitute, it was not nearly enough, until I discovered the wonders of year-round YJ (now known as YJ Teens).
Instantly in love with YJ Teens, I decided to see how I could get involved in my regional chapter, but I found that, after COVID, New Jersey didn’t have a Maz (teen board). Jumping into action I contacted the LINYC (Long Island/New York City) mazkirut to find out how to create my own. I gathered a group of camp friends to set out and create something; the only problem was that none of us had ever done any year-round events and were completely lost. Bumbling around, we planned some great events including our very own Purim Party. The next year at the Northeast convention we were able to elect a full New Jersey Maz! I felt as though I had done my job but I wanted to do more to bring the YJ experience to even more people. After two years as New Jersey Mazkir, I have now made my way up to National!
Young Judaea is a place for teens to grow and discover themselves. In an ever-changing world where Judaism and all religions are fading in newer generations, Young Judaea allows young teens like myself to keep that connection.
The National Maz and I are working to create easier entry points for people into Young Judaea events. Often teens are hesitant to risk entire afternoons or weekends if they don’t know if they will enjoy it. One entry point we want to create is through fundraising for the kitchen that caught fire at Tel Yehudah this past summer by creating merchandise and donating the proceeds; this will be an easy way for teens to link together their camp and YJ experiences. Another opportunity we want to explore is Zoom events like Challah baking; this could be a calm and easy activity for everyone to join.
A goal of mine is to expand to reach teens outside of Young Judaea. Establishing a stronger YJ teens presence in places like the Southwest and Southeast would allow for more participation across the country. I am excited to continue building our already established regions like the Midwest and Northeast, and strengthen all of the regions’ connections to one another. On a more regional level, attempting to work with organizations outside of Young Judaea like JCCs and synagogues could create a steady and easy way to reach a new base of teens we would never have been able to reach before. All this is to say, throughout this year I am looking forward to working with the rest of National Maz to bring the Young Judaea experience we all know and love to more and more teens across the country!
As the song of YJ says ‘ani v’ata neshaneh et ha’olam’, you and I will change the world. I look forward to working with everyone in and out of YJ to build an even stronger and wider community!
Jonny Jentis
National Mazkir, 2023-2024