Best Years of My Jewish Life

Anthony Gluck with his parents.

The years 2014-2015 have been the best years of my Jewish life. I was going into my senior year and I wasn’t involved in PROVTY (Providence Temple Youth) nor had I ever been to an overnight Jewish camp. My parents encouraged me to go to the URJ Kutz Leadership Camp this past summer and become active in PROVTY.

Upon arriving at Kutz, I was greeted with a warm “Welcome Home.” This greeting washed away any concerns or worries I might have had. At camp, my major was “Creative Arts.” I always liked drawing, and I learned new ways to draw and do art. We also had minor and elective classes which were either fun, educational or both.

I liked every aspect that Kutz had to offer from praying, studying, singing, dancing, playing, attending concerts, etc. I experienced Shabbat as I have never experienced it before. I grew as a Jewish teenager and learned leadership and life skills. I became more independent and met people from all over the United States and Israel. I made wonderful friendships and connected with so many new people. I still have contact with them today. 

Kutz showed me that what I learned here at temple was also true on a larger scale. Many of the customs I learned here were also known by others from as far away as Israel. From the simple greeting of Boker Tov and hearing familiar songs made Kutz feel like home. It was the greatest summer of my life. I vowed I would return to it one day.  

At camp, I came to the realization that this connection to other Jewish teens and the NFTY experience had been missing from my life. NFTY made me realize how much fun I was missing and how much more interesting my Jewish life could be. I became active too late and missed out on a lot of wonderful regional opportunities and events. So, I became active in PROVTY and attended NFTY regional events. I attended the Leadership Training Institute in the fall to learn about social action programs that PROVTY could do for our temple.  I attended NFTY Institutes, Conclavettes, the Spring Kallah, and the National Convention in Atlanta. Now, I find myself being a NFTY cheerleader advocating at regional events or at home. I tell my friends that they need to get their brothers and sisters involved in their temple’s youth groups, attend NFTY regional events and URJ camps so they too will be connected to other Jewish teens and will not miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

During February vacation, I went to NFTY’s National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. At the Marriott Marquis, 1,300 teens and adults spent four days packed with social activities, services, singing and dancing and learning. Prior to attending, I chose the Social Justice track led by the Religious Action Coalition. Sunday was an offsite activity. NFTY assigned me to “How to Run a Jewish Film Festival.” I learned how they put together “The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.” It was taking place while we were there. This session was held at Atlanta’s oldest and largest Reform synagogue, known as “The Temple.” We also toured this historic synagogue that had a major role in the civil rights movement.

Shabbat services were amazing. On Friday night we had a guest speaker who was a wheel-chair-bound NFTY alumni. He spoke about his experience as a camper and how NFTY could be more inclusive to those who have disabilities. On Saturday, we had Regional Worship. Each region had brought its own Torah. After services, we had a Hakafah into the ballroom for Torah Study. It was awesome seeing the parade of Torahs.

 My time with NFTY has now come to a close. A new chapter is about to open as I go to CCRI and URI. I hope to get involved with Hillel at URI and go to Israel through Birthright. I will miss coming to temple on Thursdays and Sundays. Perhaps I’ll have the time to be on the Social Action Committee. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful year. Shabbat Shalom.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This speech was presented at the Temple Beth-El Religious School graduation. An edited version is reprinted with permission.