Editor’s Note: Hi USY! We are counting down the days until #USYIC2021, and we can’t wait to see you there! To pump up the excitement, we asked USYers from across North America who went to IC in the past a few questions to share their memorable experiences.
Emilie T., CRUSY
Which IC(s) did you attend?
IC SoCal (Southern California) in 2019.
If you had to pick one, which activity/program/event was your favorite at IC SoCal?
Davening in the dark or sightseeing around Los Angeles.
By an estimate, how many new friends did you make?
I met a lot of new friends and I stay in contact with at least 10 of them, maybe even more!
How did IC help you feel more connected to Judaism?
IC provided an environment in which I was surrounded by people who were connected & motivated to be Jewish. IC helped me see all different types of Judaism & really explore through different types of activities & creative services.
What are you most looking forward to for this year’s IC?
Reuniting with all of my friends & sightseeing around DC!
What would you say is unique about USY’s IC, that you can’t find anywhere else?
The people! You will meet a ton of people full of ruach and energy that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Sari W., ECRUSY
Which IC(s) did you attend?
My first IC was IC SoCal in 2019, and I also participated in [virtual] IC Everywhere in 2020!
If you had to pick one, which activity/program/event was your favorite at IC SoCal?
My favorite program was definitely the silent disco! Everyone was singing and dancing and having an AMAZING time and I got to meet tons of new friends that night!
By an estimate, how many new friends did you make?
I tried to introduce myself to as many people as possible at IC, but I think I probably made at least 30 friends there that I still keep in touch with almost two years later.
How did IC help you feel more connected to Judaism?
On the last day of IC SoCal, everyone came together in one big room for a morning service called “Davening in the Dark.” Everyone was given a blindfold, and we all sat with our eyes covered & sang together. This service was one of the most impactful & meaningful services I have ever participated in, & to this day I still listen to the recording I have from it & remember what an amazing experience it was.
What are you most looking forward to for this year’s IC?
Over the last year and a half of Zoom USY programming, I have had the opportunity to talk to people from tons of different regions. At IC, I will finally get to meet the people I’ve been FaceTiming & calling with for so long, and I can’t wait to see the friends I made at IC SoCal again!
What would you say is unique about USY’s IC, that you can’t find anywhere else?
USYers are the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. It almost feels surreal to be standing in a room full of people you’ve never met & just about every single one of them is eager to introduce themselves & be your friend. That is what makes USY IC so special — you’ll never find yourself in another place that is as welcoming or warm.
Kyle B., METNY
Which IC(s) did you attend?
IC SoCal in 2019.
If you had to pick one, which activity/program/event was your favorite at IC SoCal?
My favorite activity was seeing Urban Voices, a choir in a low-income part of Los Angeles. It felt like a concert, and it was great to hear their story & sing with them.
By an estimate, how many new friends did you make?
I probably made about 10 new friends.
How did IC help you feel more connected to Judaism?
When I went to IC, it was also Hanukkah, so I was able to experience a Jewish holiday with USY that I never thought I would experience. I learned some new Hanukkah tunes & experienced the holiday in different ways.
What are you most looking forward to for this year’s IC?
I am really looking forward to being in person again. I haven’t seen many of the people I met at IC since then, so it will be nice to experience what we were deprived of last year.
What would you say is unique about USY’s IC, that you can’t find anywhere else?
The people. Although there are a lot of them, most USYers are very approachable & willing to meet new friends. Everyone who goes to IC wants to be there & have the best time possible. The people at IC and how easy it is to bring them together is something you can’t find anywhere else.
Kiara L., Far West
Which IC(s) did you attend?
IC SoCal in 2019.
If you had to pick one, which activity/program/event was your favorite at IC SoCal?
By far my favorite program at IC SoCal was our davening in the dark service. Everyone put on blindfolds and sang various Jewish songs together. It was such a meaningful experience.
By an estimate, how many new friends did you make?
I made a point to introduce myself to every person at IC, so I met over 400 people!
How did IC help you feel more connected to Judaism?
IC helped me form a community with USYers who practice differently, with different traditions than I do. It was so beautiful seeing all of the different traditions of different USY regions and sharing my own.
What are you most looking forward to for this year’s IC?
I’m most looking forward to sightseeing! I’ve never been to Washington DC, and I can’t wait to explore the city with my best friends.
What would you say is unique about USY’s IC, that you can’t find anywhere else?
I definitely believe the ruach at USY’s IC is like no other. The energy you feel surrounded by so many joy-filled teens is intoxicating. It’s impossible not to catch the enthusiasm that fills a room.
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