Utah

Hi Rabbi

Its been a week since Utah, and I finally have some time to write to you. I wanted to thank you for telling us to sign up for the retreat nonstop, because it was an amazing weekend. I was kind of nervous before the trip since I really had no idea what to expect. I was anxious about what the retreat would be like until about 9 Sinai Scholars plus a driver piled into a car to go to the hotel from the airport. Right away everyone was really nice and open, and friendships were almost instantly made.

Once we were in the car I knew that I would make friends with the Sinai Scholars from other schools, but I was still not sure about the other parts of the trip, like the lectures and who else would be there. Again I was very pleasantly surprised. On the way to orientation we met up with the Chabad Rabbi from Emory and his wife. Right away they were interested in getting to know us, and in answering any questions we may have. That continued throughout the trip, with all the Chabad Rabbis bringing something interesting and different to the table. I did not expect the trip to inspire me as much as it did. After every lecture I was left thinking, and questioning. Everything about the retreat from the Sinai Scholars, to the lectures to the beautiful resort was amazing. I could not have asked for a better weekend.

This past weekend I went to the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York with a few of my friends. While all of them are Jewish I was struck by how little they know about Judaism. I realized that less than a year ago I was in the same place that they are, and felt both sorry for them and grateful that I now know so much more about who I am, and that I am inspired to learn even more. With all that I learned from Utah and from you I couldn't help but talk about Judaism to my friends. While at first they seemed annoyed at me, on the car ride home last night, one of my friends said that its great how much I know, and that she wishes that she knew more about Judaism. My next step is to try to get my friend to be proactive about her desire to learn more.

I want to thank you again, not only for not giving up until I signed up for the retreat to Utah, but also for all that you taught me during Sinai Scholars and after.

Fiana