From Volunteering in Israel to Leadership at Home, CYP Encounter Participants Return with Purpose
Young Jewish professionals from CYP chapters across the United States gathered in Israel for CYP Encounter: Israel, an immersive mission of solidarity, giving, and Jewish resilience. For a week, participants stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their Israeli brethren, bringing support, strength, and connection during this defining time in Jewish history.
Before the plane even took off, the mission’s purpose was already in motion. “At the airport, Nate wrapped tefillin with me,” recalled Rabbi Mendel Lebovic, who leads CYP S. Pete together with his wife, Mushkie. “He said, ‘By the end of this trip, I’ll know how to do this much better.’”
They came from CYP chapters across the United States, including North Palm Beach, Miami, St. Petersburg, Stamford, Great Neck, Port Washington, and Brooklyn, for an intense week of giving and growth.
“Our goal wasn’t just to witness resilience, it was to become part of it,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “The Rebbe taught us that leadership starts with action. These young professionals went beyond solidarity; they showed up, they gave, and they returned with a new sense of personal responsibility. That’s how growth happens.”
The Encounter was organized by CYP International at Merkos 302, directed by Rabbi Beryl Frankel, and run in partnership with Mayanot Israel Birthright, directed by Rabbi Levi Margolin. It focused on identity, purpose, and Jewish pride in the face of crisis, fusing together spiritual growth and physical volunteer work into one transformative journey.
The trip was nearly canceled in the wake of the escalating conflict with Iran. With rockets flying and tensions rising, organizers considered postponing. But one by one, participants reaffirmed their commitment.
One of the mission’s most powerful moments came in Israel’s south, where participants visited the ruins of Kibbutz Be’eri and the site of the Nova Festival. They walked among bullet-riddled homes and burned-out cars, listening to harrowing testimonies from survivors and first responders.
Alex Migdall described how the trip reshaped his outlook: “Meeting survivors and hearing their stories was heavy and heartbreaking, but it made me so grateful. You can’t rely on social media to understand what’s happening in Israel. You need to see it yourself, ask hard questions, and open up to feel it all.”
Silence eventually gave way to song as the group joined voices in Acheinu and the traditional Keil Malei Rachamim, declaring the Jewish people’s eternal strength.
“The people we met are incredibly tough. It reminded me that being there for our homeland isn’t optional, it’s essential,” said Bobby Levine from S. Pete, Florida.
As part of the mission, participants met with wounded soldiers and families at Sheba Hospital, visited the Shuru army base, and heard firsthand from Sasha Troufanov, a freed hostage who emphasized the importance of bringing their experiences back home to every city they return to. The group then celebrated Sasha’s engagement to Sapir Cohen with singing and dancing.
The week wasn’t only about bearing witness, it was about taking action. Participants rolled up their sleeves to help rebuild a kibbutz, volunteered on farms, tied tzitzit for soldiers, and helped create a “Garden of Healing” for displaced families.
Friday night in Jerusalem’s Old City was unforgettable. “Going to the Kotel on a Friday night is a sight to be seen, an abundance of joy, community, and Jewish pride,” said Nickole Troutman. The group lit candles, studied Chassidus, and shared a spirited Shabbat meal.
“Listening to a soldier describe losing four friends at Be’eri was gut-wrenching,” Nickole added. “But singing arm-in-arm brought healing and strength.”
For many, the trip was built on months of learning through CYP Academy, where participants earned travel credits by attending classes, engaging, and growing in their Jewish knowledge. Israel was the culmination of their journey.
“This trip ignited a flame for our group to do more mitzvahs, to live more proudly, and to build an even stronger Jewish future in St. Pete,” said Rabbi Mendel Lebovics, who leads CYP St. Petersburg.
“Experiences like this create momentum,” said Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, director of CYP Encounters at Merkos 302. “We’re already working with more CYP communities to launch their own trips. When young professionals return home energized and grounded, their whole city feels it.”
For David Stein, the trip was empowering: “Israel is strong. The Jewish people are strong. And now I feel strong enough to carry this back to my community.”
At the closing banquet in Kfar Chabad, participants shared personal commitments, such as hosting Shabbat dinners, keeping Kosher, starting learning groups, purchasing their own tefillin, and sharing Israel’s story.
For Nate, it started with a tefillin wrap in the airport. By the end of the trip, he’d committed to wrapping daily. This week, he sent a photo, his new pair of tefillin in hand, and a message from his father: “How can I get my own? It’s been 45 years. I’d like to start again.”
