I know that it’s been a month since my last blog post but heres the thing. I’ve tried about 4 times to write a blog about IC, but each time I would write, I would read what I had written and I would think to myself, what I’m writing doesn’t nearly describe how cool IC (International Convention) was. So I would start over again, erase what I had written blah blah blah the same old shpeel. But, I’m dying to share with you guys just how amazing IC was so I’ll try my best to describe it.
After 16 hours of flying, we arrived at LAX and were greeted by my mom. That night we were tired so we had dinner at Urth Café (if you’re ever in LA go to Urth Café) and then took a quick stroll on Rodeo Drive. We toured LA for a total of 5 days with my family (my parents, sister, grandma, aunt and two cousins) and went to Rodeo Drive, Millions of Milkshakes, The Grove, the Wax Museum, Kodak Theater, Chinese Theater, Hollywood walk of fame, Santa Monica, Venice, UCLA, Beverly Hills, took a tour of Paramount Studios, took a tour of celebrity houses, saw the Hollywood sign and more. The touring aspect was great! What we saw in LA in 5 days is what I saw in 5 years, aka non stop touring The girls had a great time too and took several pictures.
The day before IC started, all the international kids met up at Universal Studios so they could meet each other. It was great and so amazing to watch Argentine, Israeli, Irish, Bulgarian and Serbian teens interacting with each other and becoming friends, even though everyone speaks different languages and comes from very different backgrounds.
February 17 IC started. I was in meetings all day and the Argentines were busy exploring the hotel with the other international kids and running to the door to meet the next group of kids that were arriving. It was a very chill day, only 150 arrived because the rest (650) were going to arrive the next day. There were a few BBG/AZA business meetings that they attended.
From February 18 – 21 is when the real IC started. All the teens arrived from all over the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Israel, Serbia, Bulgaria and Argentina. It was the biggest IC ever with the biggest international presence, with a total of about 750 teens. It consisted of AZA/BBG meetings, programs about Israel, global Jewry, how to create and implement programs into your communities, dances “boliche style” and more.
For one day everyone did a community service project. There were about 10 sites throughout LA that the teens were assigned to. I was assigned to go to LA Youth Network, a small shelter for homeless youth. This particular shelter is very unique because it only has 8 beds, you have to be between the ages of 13 – 18 and not anyone can walk in because it has very strict rules and regulations. To stay in the shelter, you have to make at least a one year commitment to live there, not smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs, get a job, go to school and study with a tutor everyday. I had no idea that there were programs like this. We listened to a talk about homelessness in LA and we learned that LA is the homeless capital of the US, with over 55,000 homeless youth. That really startled me, I had no idea because when you think about it, in the US (or at least in Southern California) the homeless that we see in the streets are usually adults, so I never thought that there were so many kids as well. This talk really inspired the kids and it was obvious because they asked many questions. Then, they went to paint the house and a few hours later we went back to the hotel to attend the next IC program.
Throughout IC, everyone was very interested to meet the Argentine girls and learn about Jewish teen life in Córdoba. I’m not being bias, but seriously the Argentines were definitely the cool kids at IC, las chicas mas copadas. I always saw them talking to people and they always had huge smiles on their faces. I remember one day , Tami (one of the Argentines) said to me, “Ariana I’m speaking so much English that I think now I’m dreaming in English!” That cracked me up.
I know that everyday the Argentines were totally lost and confused, which I knew would happen. They kept asking me, “Ariana why are they clapping their hands?”, “Why are they standing up and screaming?”, “Why do they wear pins?”… I was glad that they were asking questions, which showed me that they were interested to learn more about BBYO. I tried to explain to them as best as I could but the last BBYO event I attended was in 2005 so I had forgotten a lot. I told them that it’s ok not to understand and feel lost and confused. I mentioned how every day in Córdoba I am so lost and confused at Macabi and that’s ok.
One event that was particularly special for the international kids was their induction into BBYO. None of them knew that this was going to happen and they were so surprised and honored to receive their AZA/BBG pins. I’ve never seen so many hugs in my life. Before, these kids were just invited to participate in IC, now they are really a part of it and BBYO.
Overall, I think that IC was a great experience for everyone, both the staff and teens. The teens learned about other countries and Jewish teen life throughout the world, were exposed to new ideas about programming and youth movements and learned about BBYO. I know that throughout IC I kept hearing the Argentines saying, “yea, I think that we could do something like this in Cordoba”.
My goal is to have a meeting with the Macabi youth department and the two Argentine girls to discuss IC and BBYO such as what they liked, what they didn’t like and what they think we could do in Córdoba that they saw at IC. I would love to create some BBYO style programs here in Córdoba and have the girls help me. Macabi reopens March 12 so I hope to have that meeting very soon.
After IC, we spent two and a half days at my house in San Diego. We went to La Jolla, Target, Carlsbad Outles, the San Diego Zoo and Fashion Valley. The girls also enjoyed San Diego, even though our visit was short. I wish we could have stayed longer because there is so much more to see, but they started school March 1st.
We arrived back in Cordoba February 25th at 3AM. The day I left California, BBYO told me of another amazing opportunity for two Argentines to go to the US again. The trip is called Kallah, starts March 10– 16th and will be in DC. After hours of non stop meetings, talking on the phone, skyping, Gchatting, basically staring at a computer screen for so long that I saw dots, I’m proud to say that one Argentine teen and the Israeli shlicha will be representing Córdoba and will be going to DC. I would have loved to go on that trip but unfortunately my sister will be in Argentina at that same time. I’m very much looking forward to hearing their thoughts and opinions of Kallah, even though I know they will have a great time. Hopefully from that experience they can also help me implement BBYO programs in Cordoba
Not much else has been going on. I still go to the social welfare center every Tuesday and work is still slow because its still summer, until the end of March. Hillel is still officially closed but we have been working because on Monday the Hillel group from Juniata College will be coming to Córdoba for 5 days. I’m SO excited for their arrival, so excited to meet them , speak in English, tour the city with them ( I still feel like I know nothing about Córdoba and I still get lost), do community service with them and just learn about what their Hillel is like at their college.
Thursday night I leave for Buenos Aires because Friday morning my sister arrives at Ezeiza so I’ll be getting her from the airport. We will come back to Cordoba just in time to have Shabbat dinner at Hillel with Juniata College, Hillel staff and members. I’m so excited to see my sister and have her meet the Juniata College group and show her Córdoba and what I do here. She will do a few activities with the group and then Sunday night we leave to go travel for a week. It will be the 1st time I’m seeing her since August and my first vacation!
That’s basically all that has been going on here so far. It seems like the middle/end of March is when work will start to pick up, which I’m very excited for because to be honest I have been a little bored.
The next blog that I write will probably be around March 21st, after the Hillel group leaves (because I’ll be working 24/7) and after my sister goes back to the US.
