The word “Shemesh” in Hebrew means “sun,” but to me, it has come to mean so much more than that. It represents a place, a group of people, and a special feeling that I cherish. 

Life can become a lot, between school, responsibilities, and friends, and sometimes it can feel like there is always something to worry about. But when I step into Shemesh meetings, all of the stress from before seems to fade into the background. For that hour and a half, I get to be with the people I love most and do the things that make me the happiest.

Shemesh has become my escape from reality, but not because it helps me ignore the world around me. It gives me a place to take a break from it. Being a part of Shemesh reminds me every day that even when things feel stressful or complicated, some people and moments can make life feel a little bit lighter. 

Not everyone realizes how much a chapter can mean to someone. Most people might think it looks like meetings, events, and a bunch of teenagers hanging out together. But to me, it is so much deeper than that. It is a place where I have grown, where I have made connections that matter to me, and where I have found a community that makes life feel much more enjoyable.