As we begin the parasha of this week, Devarim, we also begin to read the final book of the Torah. Slowly, we are approaching the end of our Jewish calendar. Similarly, Moses is approaching the end of his time as the Israelites leader, as he is not allowed to enter Canaan. We see this theme of a closing chapter leading to an opening one quite often in our personal lives. For me, my term as chapter Nsiah has come to a close. Being Nsiah was one of the most challenging, but most fulfilling times of my BBYO journey. I was recently elected as my region’s Shlicha. One of the positions I had strived for and worked for for a very long time and when I heard my name called, I had truly seen all my hard work come to fruition. 

Moses will be watching from afar as Bnei Israel enters the Holy Land without his leadership and guidance, something that is scary after being able to lead so well for such a long time. Having to give my Nsiah gavel onto the next one was difficult for me. On one hand, I was grateful to close that chapter of my life which was incredibly difficult for me. On the other hand, it's sad for me to finish an era where I was able to grow so much, learn many different things about myself, and help guide my board into a very successful term.

When we look deeper into Devarim, at first glance it looks like a book of just looking backwards. Moses spends most of his time looking back on the Israelites successes, failures, and everything in between. Moses isn't doing this to dwell on the past, in fact he does this for the purpose of seeing how the Israelite’s past can shape their future. We do a very similar thing here at ILTC. We spend a lot of our time dreaming about the future and thinking of building up our chapters and regions, but while doing so, we're looking directly back to the legacies of Sam Beber and Anita Perlman. By looking to our past, we see mistakes we've made brat should likely not be repeated, at the same time that we see successes that grew our movement into an international order. Reflection is never about staying where you are, it's about giving yourself the confidence and the wisdom to keep pushing forward. 

To me, this is exactly what ILTC is pushing us to take home. We all arrived here and were told that we are the strongest leaders in the international order. If you were to ask what the interesting part is to me? Many of us don't hold board positions. Leadership is not about the title we hold, but more about looking back on our experiences. To be the amazing leaders we strive to be, we must learn from the people around us to discover who we are. Just as Moses prepares the Israelites to lead without him, ILTC prepares us to come home to our regions ready to strengthen our chapters and inspire those who look up to us.

Personally, as I'm beginning my next chapter as Regional Sh'licha, I'm trying to have the same mindset Moses did, gratitude for what is to come and even more gratitude for what brought me here. My time as Chapter Nsiah gave me experience I truly wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, which I deeply cherish, and prepared me immensely for what's to come next. Every ending creates space for a new beginning, and eventually gives leaders the opportunity to pass the torch. My hope is that we all left ILTC remembering that leadership isn't defined by what we hold, whether it's regional board, chapter board, or none, it's defined by the impact we make on the people around us. Any day when we make a positive impact, is a day that makes us better. 

With love from Kallah,
Alma Shalev
Rocky Mountain Region
Shabbat Shalom BBYO!!