Hey everyone! My name is Shayna Winter and I’m so excited to be an advisor for you guys this summer! WOOHOO!!! I hail from Los Angeles, California where I went to Bnos Devorah High School. I then went to Michlalah and I am currently a senior in the Stern business school (no, no not the NYU business school). I absolutely love to sing, read books, chill with friends and play sports. I also LOVE food 😀 (yup, I’m gonna be that advisor with a suitcase full of food).  Can’t wait to meet all of you at the airport! It’s going to be an awesome summer!!!

SHALOM ALL! My name is Eliana “Lani” Diament, coming to you guys from Edison, NJ. I am super stoked to be traveling throughout Spain, and the holy land of Israel with you guys this summer. I went to Bruriah for high school, and then headed off to MMY for some good Torah learning. I am currently a student in Queens College, and you better all fly in to attend my graduation in the spring! In addition, I have been working for NJ NCSY for three years, but this will be my first official summer program! Ready for some fun facts: I have a twin brother, love to play the bongos, and would rather skip than walk. I cannot wait to spend the best.summer.ever, with some of the most incredible people! Can’t wait to meet you all at the airport!!!

Zoie Wittenberg is one of the few orthodox teenage girls in her community in Atlanta, Georgia. She is firm in her beliefs and continues her growth on Euro ICE. Here are a few of her thoughts regarding her experience on tisha b’av and about her growth on this program:

Yesterday, being Tisha Ba’Av, we spent the day talking about the main reason behind the destruction of the Second Temple: sinat chinam or baseless hatred. People shared personal stories and opinions on the subject of hatred. I came away from the night feeling both incredibly inspired and unbelievably angry, angry that sinat chinam is still a problem. Angry that my Ohana, my brothers and sisters on this program, has to put up with constant hate. When it was my turn to speak, I told a story that pained me to recollect, then I retold what my mother told me: These are opportunities to educate the world on the truth, to advocate for G-d, and to support each other. It is our job to set an example of a hate-less nation. It is our honor to show the world the truth.

I was born in the last year of the twentieth century.
I have two Jewish parents.
I practice my religious beliefs, all my beliefs for that matter.
I love G-d and serving Him.
I am supposedly lucky to have been born when I was.
I live in “an accepting world,” one “full of lovers,” “the twenty-first century.”

Yet
I leave my town to find judgmental hateful people.
I encounter hatred towards me because I am Jewish.
I must hide who I am.
I hide my Hebrew necklace.
I pocket my siddur.
I cover my father’s kippah with a hat.
I hide myself.

Now
I am traveling Europe with a Jewish group.
I hear the boys getting snapped at to put on a hat.
I witness chaos unfold every time we practice Judaism in public.
I am a victim of baseless hatred.

Yesterday
I told my tale of being victimized by baseless, anti-Semetic hatred.
I listened to countless others tell their tales.
I was told that it was my fault for not giving back to end this.
I feel that it is quite difficult to be a savior while I am crumpled on the floor.
I was implored not to hate back.
I find it hard when they hated me first.

Although
I was told that at the end of days
I along with all of my brothers and sisters will teach G-d’s ways.
I will bring an end to baseless hatred against me, you, and every other creation made in the image of G-d.
I know that we lost G-d’s home away from home to countless acts of baseless hatred.
I also know that the only way to bring it back it to abolish it from Earth.

So
I may live in the twenty-first century.
I may be free.
I may live in an open neighborhood.
I still cannot be me.
I wait for the day to come for the day to come when I can teach the world to love.
I want to live by example.
I want to be an educator of G-d’s ways.
I want to wear my necklace proudly.
I want to hold my siddur out and pray.
I want to see my father’s kippah worn proudly.
I want to show myself.
I want an end to baseless hatred.

As a group, we have been working on defeating baseless hatred within ourselves. Between “DMC’s” including two or three people discussing our backgrounds and life stories, Rabbi Lashak’s shirim about the tikkun and purpose of each individual on this Earth, and studying various sefarim that educate about the tzelem Elokim with each of us with a chavruta we have learned to better appreciate the power and importance within every single human being. I, for one, know that I have grown drastically in the character trait of hakarat hatov, appreciation for the good, not only for the things in life, but also the people. Our focus as a group has been to discover the good within everyone to remove any baseless hatred that may have existed. We expect more of each other now, more love, more appreciation; we are each planning to bring these valuable life lessons with us back home to work to create a hate free world to hasten the coming of Mashiach.

In Canada I go to a public high school, and while there’s a couple Jews here and there, the majority of my friends don’t have a clue about anything Jewish except how good latkas are.
Euro ice has really pushed me to reach for more, whether our bus ride departs at 4 am or I want to learn after curfew, the advisors are always there, books in hand, ready to start a discussion.
I do a lot of ncsy and I’ve had run ins with a lot of advisors, but to say the least this group is incredible, they are so open and inspirational; each chaburah, shiur and story is better than the last.
I was able to go to a Jewish private school for elementary and middle school, and while it taught me all the concepts of judaism, euro ice has opened my eyes to how it all interconnects (people say they like to watch me during rabbi’s shiurim because my jaw drops every time).
Not only are there options for learning, but im amazed by how many people jump at those offers and go out of their way to learn an extra mishna or another chapter.
When advisors aren’t available, we often learn by ourselves in small groups; Ice has given us all the material, equipment but most importantly the drive to inquire and dig deeper.
While I learned a lot in my 8 years of private education, I can confidently say that euro ice has taught me so much more about Judaism and my Jewish identity in the span of 4 weeks, this has been the #bestsummerever!

Miriam Maes, Toronto, CA

I am on a 7 1\2 ferry from Croatia to Italy and finally have a chance to reflect on the past 3 weeks of the trip. Euro Ice has truly been an enjoyable and educational experience for me. Throughout the trip, I have taken more pictures on my phone than I have during the past year and a half. I had previously never slept a night in Europe before and have now made unforgettable memories with my 40 new brothers and sisters in Greece, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. In Greece we divided ourselves onto two big boats and sailed out in to the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. We then jumped off the boats and had a blast snorkeling in the blue waters, looking at the surrounding green mountains above. Touring Venice, Italy we sang proudly in the rain and even danced around some random little Italian boy for his birthday. The little boy could not hide his smile and his parents showed their gratitude. In Slovenia I went white water rafting for the first time, and in Croatia I experienced a meaningful תשעה באב with all of Euro Ice. But what makes Euro Ice such a special program, is not the exciting traveling and once in a lifetime activities that we do. It is that Euro Ice allows us to love our Judaism and wear it proud. On this program religion is not forced, it is encouraged in a positive light so you want to learn and connect. Slowly but surely people began to become more enthusiastic about their learning and campers often learn with advisors and friends voluntarily on bus rides. The learning is also mainly based on what the campers are interested in. During Rabbi Lashak’s Shoot The Rabbi sessions, we ask questions that trouble us and he often gives meaningful analogies and stories so we can relate to his answers. His powerful voice often sends chills throughout my body. Rabbi Lashak also treats us as adults and is willing to discuss any heavy topic, including Kabbalistic ideas dealing with gematria, free will, jealousy, reincarnation, and the coming of the messiah. Shabass is always an amazing experience where we all daven together and sing out hearts out. I have had so much fun on this trip and feel that I’ve learned a lot about myself, Judaism, and European cultures. I am sad that the trip is coming to an end, but am still hopeful for the exciting last week that awaits me.

Joey Trubnick, Chicago, IL

This past week, Euro Ice spent Shabbos and Tisha b’Av in the beautiful country of Croatia. Although we were not able to spend Tisha b’Av with our brothers and sisters in Israel, I was able to partake in the most meaningful Tisha b’Av experience of my life with the 40 brothers and sisters that I have made this summer.

In our hotel, we had a kumzits that was incredibly spiritually uplifting, especially when every single person is singing their hearts with their last remaining energy that had been depleted due to the fast. Hearing everyone sing in unison strengthened my belief that we are all family, and that every single person in that room is my brother and sister. Something that hits home, is the repeated phrase and reason for the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash: baseless hatred.

People hating other people for no reason was why the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed. Every time we do good for another person, or fight baseless hatred, we put another brick in the wall towards the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash, and one step closer to salvation from our exile.

My overall spiritual experience on this trip has been amazing. In 3 weeks, I have been more inspired than 15 years of schooling. It’s unbelievable how much 3 weeks can affect you. As the program gets closer to ending, due to Rabbi Lashak and all the amazing advisors, I feel confident that I can take all the inspiration that I have gained and everything that I have learned and apply it to my daily life when I get back home. When I come home, I want to share the message that as a Jewish nation, we are all family, and that baseless hatred amongst ourselves is only prolonging our exile. By doing what I can to fight baseless hatred, I am helping to rebuild the Beis Hamikdash one brick by one brick.

Euro ICE is an experience that I struggle to even describe. I could tell you all about the amazing friendships I have made, all the people I have met and all the stories I have heard. Or I could tell you about the amazing learning that goes on here- it doesn’t matter the time or place. On a bus ride back to the hotel after a long day, there will still be learning going on. I could even tell you about the nature I have seen. מה רבו מעשך ה׳ – Our G-d, Hashem, has created a world so beautiful and intricate that it is difficult to comprehend.
After being inspired by these people and my surroundings, I personally decided to take on the challenge of trying to say Modeh Ani every morning. It can be very hard to remember to say it first thing in the morning but at the same time it is so easy. If you think about it, your body does not have any chargers! The human body is by far the “coolest” thing to ever exist. The fact that we go to bed at night and our soul leaves our body and then Hashem allows us to wake up the next morning is amazing. Wow! He is letting us live another day and He is giving us the opportunity to fulfill our purpose in the world. So, if Hashem allows me to live another day the least I can do is say Modeh Ani.
Last night we all agreed that, as a family, we will each take on something to improve. I can tell you honestly that I have grown so much on this trip that I can’t wait to grow more. The hard thing to imagine is that in a week from now we will be back home, we won’t have the support of our siblings, advisors and Rabbi or Wifey to push us- it will be up to us. I hope that no matter what the future has in store for us that me and my other 40 ICE Siblings stay strong בני תורה. “Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind.”

Pirkei Avot says, “Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.” Here I am, in Slovenia, a place I have never heard of. I’ve been inspired by the words of my campers, the Torah of my director and the hand of G-d in the creations around me. Never did I think that I would be inspired by a native in Bled, Slovenia.

Today was a day when campers could choose to be a “Golani”, to go and hike in the rain, or to do “spa” and stay back, do some facials, and relax. I managed to get one of the few available spots for a massage, and I’m so glad I did.

I met a wonderful woman named Lesna. Lesna was my masseuse for the day. I figured I would have some quiet relaxation time; little did I know I was about to have one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Yes, the massage was good, but it wasn’t the massage that got me. It wasn’t her hands that impacted me, but rather her words and her soul that were internalized and changed me.

Lesna seemed like the classic female masseuse, except her countenance was more cheerful and welcoming than other masseuses I’ve previously encountered.

She asked me about Israel and if I lived there. At first I was a bit frightened, since I didn’t know her feelings toward the Jewish people and the Holy Land. I told her we were from America and that we had a change in itinerary and we weren’t going to Israel, but that one day I do wish to live there. She said that she was disappointed for us that we couldn’t go, but she was glad that we could explore European countries like Slovenia. Her sincere and genuine reply showed me that she was someone special and I was determined to find out why.

She began telling me about her tolerance for other religions, how the people in Slovenia don’t have blatant hatred and how no one should. A devout Catholic, she always makes sure that when she sees Jewish people in her hotels on Shabbat, she lights a candle on Friday night to show them they are safe and welcome.

I wondered why she felt this close to the Jewish people. She told me that she always felt sympathetic to Jews and she never understood why they were picked on out of all of the other religions and sects. Later on in life she discovered that she came from a Jewish family in Austria, but her grandfather intermarried. He then assisted the partisans during WWII and as a punishment, he and his family were sent to Auschwitz. Her father was the only member of his family to survive. Once he returned, he told no one of his heritage and since he looked Aryan, he was able to blend into society.

She told me how important my job on this program is. She emphasized the need to pass on one’s heritage. She explained to me that she would never want to take up new rituals instead of old ones. “Why take up something 100 years old if I have a couch that old” she stated.

She asked me questions about different concepts in Judaism and with every response I gave her, she replied with “that makes sense” or ” that’s not so crazy, once you get used to it it’s probably fine”.

I’ve had so many rabbis enlighten me with words of inspiration-insights to enable me to be proud of my heritage-but it was her who has inspired me more. Lesna, the Catholic Slovenian masseuse, taught me more about Jewish pride than anyone else had before.

I am privileged to be a member of the Euro ICE staff. I am able to witness the growth of teens who are inundated with tests and temptations I have never dreamed of. These teens have chosen a program that enables them to explore their roots, understand the customs of our people and create lasting connections with their brothers and sisters.

Here on Euro ICE, we are doing exactly what Lesna preached; we are not trading in our heritage for customs “as old as couches”. We are strengthening our beliefs and our pride and I am honored to be a part of that mission.

I have seen how much Euro ICE has impacted others and continues to impact them, but now I see how Euro ICE has truly impacted me.

Wishing you all a wonderful Shabbat,

Bari Fuchs

Bari has been involved in NCSY for over 7 years. She has been an advisor on two summer programs and is employed by YACHAD during the year.