Perlman Summer is an experience highlighted to Alephs and BBGs across the movement. The summer prior, I attended CLTC, and after the incredible experience I had during those 12 days, I took the leap and signed up for Perlman Summer 2026.

Throughout the year, I looked forward to Perlman more than anything. However, the week before camp, I began questioning whether I had made the right choice. Should I have just signed up for ILTC? Or should I have signed up for only Kallah? The thought of spending six weeks at summer camp intimidated me in the days leading up to the program. But June 24th came, and I left home for Perlman Camp.

Upon arriving at Perlman, it felt surreal to finally be at camp. However, the six weeks that loomed ahead of me still scared me throughout the first couple of days. As ILTC began, though, I started to soak in everything Perlman had to offer. Whether it was "how-to" sessions, Blueprint, or simply sitting at picnic tables talking to new friends, I began to understand the impact this summer was about to have on me.

As ILTC continued, I had the opportunity to serve as a Maccabiah admin alongside seven other teens. This day was truly incredible to watch come together. Not only did I get to help run a day filled with fun activities, but the experience gave me confidence in who I was as a leader. ILTC taught me that strong leadership comes from taking advantage of opportunities, stepping outside your comfort zone, and learning from those around you.

Before I knew it, those 19 days had flown by. I remember waking up on the final day of ILTC, unable to understand how the program had gone by so quickly. The same six weeks that once felt intimidating were suddenly moving faster than I ever could have imagined. Then came transition day, and within just a couple of hours, Perlman went from nearly 250 teens to just 65. The camp that had felt so full of energy and people suddenly became much quieter. Yet, as one experience ended, another was just beginning.

Up next came International Kallah, a program that surrounds teens with opportunities to explore their Jewish identities, ask meaningful questions, and learn from numerous perspectives. Kallah gave me the ability to question what I believed, explore ideas I had never considered, and better understand what being Jewish meant to me personally.

One of the most meaningful parts of Kallah was realizing that there is no single way to experience or express Jewish identity. Every person arrived at Perlman with different backgrounds, traditions, beliefs, and experiences. Through conversations with other teens, educational sessions, and moments of reflection, I began to appreciate how much we could learn from one another. Kallah was not about finding one correct answer to every question. Rather, it was about becoming comfortable asking questions and recognizing the importance of having those conversations.

What made Kallah especially meaningful was the community surrounding me. After spending three weeks at ILTC, I had already developed friendships that felt as though they had existed for years. Now, with a smaller group of teens, those connections only grew stronger. The conversations became deeper, the friendships became closer, and Perlman began to feel less like a summer camp and more like a second home.

Throughout those six weeks, some of my favorite memories came from the simplest moments. Sitting around picnic tables, looping with friends, spending time together after a long day of programming, and having conversations that lasted far longer than expected. These were the moments that made Perlman special. It was not necessarily about what we were doing, but about the people we were doing it with.

Looking back, one of the greatest lessons Perlman taught me was the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone. Before arriving, I was worried about spending six weeks away from home. I questioned whether I would enjoy being at camp for that long and whether I had made the right decision. Yet, the very thing that intimidated me became the experience I wished would never end.

ILTC strengthened my confidence as a leader, while Kallah challenged me to think more deeply about my Jewish identity. Together, these programs gave me something far greater than I could have expected: a community of people who inspired me to grow, friendships that extended far beyond camp, and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

When the final days of Perlman arrived, I found myself wishing I could go back to June 24th and experience everything all over again. It was difficult to believe that the same person who had been nervous about leaving home for six weeks was now struggling with the thought of leaving camp.

To any Aleph or BBG considering Perlman Summer, especially those intimidated by the length of the experience, my advice is simple: take the leap. Whether you attend ILTC, Kallah, or the full six weeks, allow yourself to embrace everything Perlman has to offer. Meet new people, ask questions, take advantage of opportunities, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

Six weeks may sound like a long time, but I promise that once you're there, it won't feel nearly long enough.

I arrived at Perlman counting the weeks until I would go home. I left wishing it didn’t end, and with friends from across the world.