Some special teens take the message of Succos to heart by going out into the world of kiruv

Succos is the time of year when we leave our homes and are enveloped in Hashem’s embrace: the succah. There are some special teens out there that take this message to heart by going out into the world of kiruv. They teach others about the majesty of our mesorah — what it means to be connected to Hashem, not just on Succos, but all year long

Miriam

My first experience with kiruv — although I didn’t know what it was called, at the time — was at my parents’ home every Shabbos. My parents always had guests over, from all kinds of backgrounds, and doing kiruv at the Shabbos table each week was standard for us.

Then I got involved with NCSY of Toronto. Although the NCSY youth programs in Toronto primarily attract public school kids, I used to join their trips because I loved the inspiration, the speakers, the music, the passion for Yiddishkeit. I looked up to the madrichos on those trips and was just awestruck — they were so smart, accomplished, passionate, and fun, confident in their Yiddishkeit, and on fire to give it over to others. I didn’t dream I would be able to be like them one day.

It was after seminary, when I was in college in New York, that I heard about a NCSY Toronto shabbaton in the area, and I decided to go as a madrichah. Although I’d never done it before, I was close enough to my own teenage years to remember what it was like and what I had appreciated about the madrichos on those trips. I knew how much I’d loved it when they approached me to ask how I was doing, or pulled me in to join the dancing, or were just full of ruach and energy. So I decided to be that kind of madrichah. On that first shabbaton, I made it my business to approach as many students as possible, ask them their names, and engage them in conversation. I tried to show passion and energy throughout the program and bring students into the dancing, singing, and ruach.

NCSY asked me to help out on more shabbatons, and of course, I said yes. I went on several trips with them and finally joined a five-week Israel trip. That was when my life changed, because I loved Israel and didn’t want to leave! I ended up enrolling in nursing school in Israel (another story!) and didn’t have much time for kiruv programs. But I missed it.

Then, someone asked if I would help out with a group that was on an Israel trip. They wanted to know if I’d meet the group in Tzefas and spend Shabbos there. And that’s where I met Rabbi Klatzko, a world-famous mekarev who was running one of his incredible Akiva trips to Israel.

As soon as I arrived, I loved it. I felt so connected with the students and the inspiring atmosphere. Even though I was in nursing school, for the rest of the trip, I kept finding time to rejoin the group and spend time with them, building relationships and being part of the kiruv process.

Rabbi Klatzko offered me the opportunity to join future trips as a madrichah… and so I was back in the world of kiruv and loving every minute of it.