By Eliana Rohrig
Cohort Four of the Nachshon Project is comprised of forty-one college juniors who are all active leaders in their campus and camp communities. There are 41 leaders, each passionate and bright, but there is a component to this cohort that could not be read or synthesized through our resumes or applications—our energy and persona. Most of us did not know each other prior to our arrival in Ben Gurion Airport. The community that has been built in the last month is nothing short of spectacular. The kaleidoscope is the metaphor that comes to mind to aptly describe the unification and bond I feel with this cohort and the ideas and inspiration that my cohort members have inspired within me.
As we take the bus up north to the Galilee, we sit and huddle around each other to passionately discuss sexual ethics and Halacha, Jewish continuity, and failures of Jewish literacy across different institutions across America. The respectful space within which these discussions exist within was so seamlessly cultivated because of the deep sense of honor we feel to be around one another. Additionally, what has been startling is the hopeful mindset in which ideas have been presented. I find that the people around me want to think critically about the topics at hand. At times, exposure to material that does not fit into the background one was raised with feels uncomfortable. Yet, the attitude that being uncomfortable promotes growth has felt intellectually appropriate and sophisticated throughout. Every day I enjoy the time spent with the friends I’ve made here, who have held me accountable to the goals I set to achieve and who are invested in my progress. I do not take this commitment lightly and feel grateful to be part of such special group of people.
