By Shelly Faharan, Consortium Tri-Teen chaperone (Indianapolis)

I am actually very sad the trip is over. I have been looking at flights to get back to Budapest as soon as possible. Overall it has been a truly life changing journey. I have learned so much about myself as a Jewish educator and about my identity as a Jew and an American. The trip opened everybody's eyes to our similarities and differences. I wish more Jewish teenagers had a chance to take part in this program. I know the competition among good summer programs is stiff yet I really feel that the uniqueness of this program stands out.

I will write in many more details a little later but for now I can say that there are only a few things that could be improved. The Israel portion of the trip was amazing and we defiantly partnered with the Western Galilee. The only criticism I have is that the children did not have the chance to see Tel-Aviv, the Hungarians had never been to Israel before and I feel they are missing the cosmopolitan Israel. I cannot say enough about the Israeli staff, the tour guide, Doron, and shomer, Ido, really connected with the group. It was so difficult for us to say bye to them when we left for Hungary.

The Hungarian camp was phenomenal. It was so cool to see Jews from around the world come together in the middle of rural Hungary. The Budapest weekend was very unique, the city was beautiful and everybody was sad we did not have more time to see it.

Lastly, I know this is not so easy because of funding, but I think everybody felt we should have made America a part of the trip. It wasn't a complete "triteen" trip without the last part. I think seeing New York's Jewish community and maybe a smaller community in the east coast (or Indiana!) would have been valuable for the Hungarians and Israelis to understand American Jewish Identity.

The personalities of the Madrichim were matched almost magically. There was no tension or undermining each other's authority. We respected and cared for one another. They have truly become my best friends in the last three weeks. We fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I think this was pure luck. Adam, Anna and Yaeli are special people and have a lot to offer. I feel so lucky that I had the chance to work with them and learn from them. We plan to keep in touch for years to come.

I think the leadership that had hired all of us must of done a great job in selecting the right madrichim. Adam was the best at leading group discussions, Anna was the best at organizing and leading games and activities, Yaeli was so great at making the kids listen to us and I was the Jewish Momma (not my words- the kids said it). Our duties and responsibilities overlapped and blended perfectly.

There was NEVER any discourse, disagreement or tension among us. We had honest and close work relationships and friendships. The positive energy affected the kids in our program as well as others in the camp. The other madrichim were a bit jealous of how close our group had become in a short period of time.

Looking into the future I would love to participate in "advertising" for the tripteen experience. I think that the kids could be our best ambassadors. One of the teenagers who participated in this program last year couldn't wait to see me as soon as I arrived back to talk about the camp and compare pictures from the two summers. His experience was very similar to mine.

How great would it be if we had some sort of a reunion that would include bringing the Hungarian and Israeli madrichim to the US to promote the program? Maybe the madrichim could come to the US as a part of the shaliach program. I feel that they are very talented, intelligent Jewish young people that can share their heritage with the American Jewish Commuinty. They can share what it is like to be a modern European/Israeli Jew.

I knew very little about today's European Jewry and the challenges it entails even though I am a Jewish Studies major and I have travelled to Israel many times before. They have taught me an immeasurable amount. How can I not mention how wonderful our campers were? The kids were incredible, kind, caring and ready to meet the challenges of the program. I miss them all so much it hurts. Each one was a true asset to the triteen program.

Finally, if there was ever an experience that taught me that all Jews were responsible for one another- this was the one. I felt so proud to be a part of the world's Jewish community. I consider myself privileged to have had a chance to be involved in the triteen program. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Please feel free to give my name to any prospective interested parents or kids.

Sincerely,

Shelly