By Michal Mizrahi
"Look around the room, these are the people who are going to be at your wedding.” Rabbi Cohen said this the first day of the opening conference. I did as he said and I looked around the room. It was odd to hear that a group of people I had never seen before would become so dear to me that they would ‘be at my wedding’. Everyone was so different; different backgrounds, different practices, different beliefs. At first it seemed hard to relate and connect. Just a few days later, however, I thought back to what Rabbi Cohen said and it did not seem odd at all. Over a short period of time the group bonded so fast and so closely. The opening conference and further programming had facilitated an environment for us to connect in both a fun and light spirited way as well as on a much deeper level. Some days we were out experiencing the land of Israel, like jeeping together and the Iron Chef dinner competition, while other times we were sitting in on seminars which encouraged us to introspect and challenge our beliefs in order to strengthen them. Even in our free time our connections and conversations are impacted by our programming. When we sit around our apartment it is an open and safe place where we are able to reflect and process with each other on a deeper level. The conversations we have individually and collectively as a cohort are meaningful, thought provoking, and insightful.The connections we made and continue to strengthen are so impactful. Everyone truly feels like family and is here to support each other through this process of growth and exploration.
