After attending two summer programs, one international convention, and over ten years of sleepaway camp, I often wonder how I will be able to maintain the connections I’ve made with people all over the world. The friendships I’ve built through these experiences are ones that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life. They are the people I celebrate my Jewish joys and wins with, the ones who understand the unique and powerful environment we’ve grown up in. When I think about how to keep these relationships alive, I’m reminded of one of my fondest memories—one that BBYO and Judaism’s value of Kehillah, community, gave me.

In the summer of 2024, I attended CLTC 4 along with three other girls from my region. I was super excited to have my first taste of international BBYO. The program ended up exceeding everything I hoped for. I made incredible friends, and even with people I wasn’t especially close to at first, I found ways to stay connected long after the summer ended.

One moment that stands out to me happened during winter break when I visited Los Angeles. I reached out to someone I had met the previous summer at CLTC. We weren’t best friends during the program, but I figured our shared experience was a great opportunity to start something new. Taking that small chance ended up creating a friendship that will last a lifetime. Our moms are now friends. I visit her and she visits me. What started as a simple message has grown into something truly special.

This experience taught me the real beauty of communication. Staying in touch doesn’t always mean long conversations or constant texting. Sometimes it’s the simple things. A “Shabbat Shalom” text to my Kallah friend group, a voice note to my Israeli counselors, or even sending a picture that reminded me of someone. These little gestures show that the relationship matters, even across different time zones and busy schedules.

But what I’ve also learned is that not all friendships look the same. Some people I talk to every day, while others I reconnect with every few months and pick up exactly where we left off. There’s something incredibly comforting about that kind of connection. Showing that distance doesn't weaken the bond, but instead adds to the story.

And so, I’ve learned that maintaining friendships across the world isn’t about distance at all—it’s about heart. It’s about being brave enough to reach out, thoughtful enough to check in, and grateful enough to recognize when someone becomes part of your story. Because when a connection truly matters, sometimes all it takes is one small message to keep it alive.