teernteen

Young Leaders

Bnei Akiva convention bring teens
together to interact and learn.

Elizabeth Kirshner

Teen2Teen Staff Writer

igh school students involved
in Bnei Akiva attended Kenes
Manhigei Chevraya Bet (leader-
ship convention) in Los Angeles where
representatives chosen from each galil
(region) learned ways to improve their
leadership skills and programming in
their respective cities.
Akiva students Ilana Goldmeier, 15, of
Southfield Dovi Snider, 17, of Oak Park
and I attended the convention along with
about 50 other teens and Bnei Akiva
national leaders.
Bnei Akiva is a Religious Zionist
(Modern Orthodox) youth movement that
encourages young people to take an active

role in the present and future of Judaism
and Zionism by supporting Israel and liv-
ing according to the Torah.
Icebreakers allowed participants to
begin to interact and work together as we
learned about fundraising, brainstorm-
ing and planning events. At one point,
each region met separately to discuss
its strengths and weaknesses, then the
groups connected to share ideas and learn
from each other.
Friday evening, the cohesive group of
teens congregated in white and blue for
singing and dancing, greeting Shabbat
with a unified sense of ruach (spirit). This
enthusiasm was carried into the rest of
Shabbat, including a festive oneg and later,
a lively Seudah Shilishit and Havdalah,
where a feeling of harmony was apparent.

Dovi Snider especially enjoyed
this aspect of the Shabbaton, com-
menting that when "all of us were
just sitting together and singing, the
spiritual feeling and togetherness of
the atmosphere amazed me:'
Sunday morning was spent at
Will Rogers National State Park,
hiking in the sun. This was a chance
to appreciate the beautiful day,
Akiva students liana Goldmeier, Dovi Snider
to interact with new friends and to
and Elizabeth Kirshner
reflect on the weekend's experiences.
on the beach. The kenes was more than
At the end of the hike, each person shared
a convention; it was a chance to unite as
his or her highlights.
teens focused on growing as leaders and
The trip culminated with an afternoon
as friends.
at Venice Beach, where the Philadelphia
region carried on its tradition of shatter-
Elizabeth Kirshner, 16, is a junior at Akiva
ing a coconut together to celebrate a suc-
cessful weekend, and breaking out in song Hebrew Day School in Southfield.

To The Fullest

FJA senior makes the most of her last year in high school.

Carly Cykiert

Teen2Teen Staff Writer

"And so its time to change our ways.
But I've loved these days."
— Billy Joel

T

his lyric sums up the feelings I
have right now about graduat-
ing. As I walk down the halls of
Frankel Jewish Academy one last time, I
look around and realize I had the best four
years of my life in this building.
I've made lasting friendships, stepped
outside my comfort zone and strived in
my academics. I loved my high school
experience.
My whole senior year has been dedi-
cated to lasts. At the beginning of the year,
I decided this was going to be my year
to appreciate everything. I didn't want to
take any moment for granted. I went to my
last all-school dance and danced from the
time the music started until the last song.
I got decked out in blue wearing my spirit
week shirts and shouted, "One Oh, You
Know!" at the top of my lungs when the

for a brunch and
then participated
in a scavenger hunt.
We experienced our
first and only senior
prank. We all gathered
together at 6:30 a.m. to
block out the student
parking spots and sat
together in the center
of our "car circle" to
eat breakfast and bond
as a class. A closed
lunch was dedicated
to "senior send-off"
where we were all in
A group of FJA seniors rev up during spirit week
our college apparel.
As you read this, we
will have traveled to Israel for three weeks,
seniors were announced the winners of
gone to our senior prom and walked
spirit week. I walked around the hallways
down the aisle of Temple Israel in West
of FJA with a backpack that played music
Bloomfield in caps and gowns to accept
just to make people smile. I brought my
our diplomas.
camera with me to school every day.
Looking back on my last four years,
However, this last month or two has
I can honestly say I'm more than upset
been full of firsts and only. The FJA
about leaving high school. Becoming a
Class of 2010 experienced its first and
freshman again is exciting and I'm ready
only senior skip day where we all met

to make the University of Michigan my
new home, but I know that I can always
go back to high school and call it home. I
have never been more appreciative of my
family for giving me the opportunity to
attend a school where I could call all 54
students in my grade friends.
To the people who have not yet gradu-
ated: Every year goes by so fast. Try to
overcome the stress you feel around finals,
create memories at school and appreciate
the four years you have because before you
know it, you have a diploma in your hand
and you're now an alumni.
To the class of 2010 at every school:
Congratulations! The day we've been wait-
ing for since freshman year is here and
it's now time to call ourselves the Class of
2014. ❑

Carly Cykiert is a graduating

senior from Frankel Jewish
Academy in West Bloomfield.
She will attend the University

of Michigan this fall.

May 20 • 2010

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