Dear NCSY Family,
This summer, over 1,800 NCSY teens and staff traveled to Israel with EL AL, and some of the most meaningful moments happened in the spaces between the itinerary: on bus rides, in unexpected conversations, and even on the flight itself.
They’re the unexpected moments that remind us a journey to Israel is about far more than the places we visit. It’s about the way we grow, the people we meet, and the impact we can have on those around us.
A TJJ (The Anne Samson Jerusalem Journey) group from New Jersey experienced that lesson in two unforgettable ways.
Early in the summer, after meeting soldiers who hadn’t had a minyan (ten men for communal prayer) in ten months while serving in Gaza, three public school teens woke up at 6:30 a.m. to ensure those soldiers could daven with a minyan. For those teens, waking up early was a small sacrifice compared to all those soldiers had given to protect the Jewish people. It was their way of saying thank you.
But perhaps the most remarkable moment happened before the program had even begun– on an EL AL flight.
Inspired by the excitement and sincerity of the New Jersey TJJ teens, an EL AL flight attendant approached the group and asked to learn how to wrap tefillin. Simply by being themselves- davening, doing mitzvot, and proudly living as Jewish teens- they inspired someone they had only just met.
Before their flight had even touched down, the connections being built on TJJ were already reaching beyond the group and into the world around them.
That is what NCSY Summer is all about- and, in many ways, that’s what the journey to Israel is all about.
The beauty of a journey to Israel is that inspiration flows both ways. We travel to Israel to learn, to grow, and to deepen our connection to our people. Along the way, we also discover that each of us has something meaningful to give in return.
We’re grateful to EL AL for helping over 1,800 NCSY teens and staff begin that journey this summer. Our greatest hope is that this summer is only the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Israel.
If your family is already looking ahead to its next special moments in Israel, EL AL is offering special winter fares for Hanukkah and winter break travel. Parents can also register their children for EL AL Young, a free program for travelers ages 2 through 21 that allows young travelers to earn Matmid Frequent Flyer points while enjoying an in-app experience with videos, games, and fun facts designed just for them.
[Plan Your Next Israel Journey]
