Give This to Your Parents

We called him Rabbi Tough Guy.  Don’t remember his real name.  It does not really matter for this story, though.  The main thing was, this was one rabbi you didn’t want to mess with.  Rabbi Tough Guy.

It happened at the New York Marriot.  I was fourteen and both hormones and acne were in full gear.  The greatest thrill was to sneak out of the room and steal into someone else’s, after curfew.  Two items are noteworthy for anyone who missed puberty: one is that it is no fun to sneak into someone’s room before curfew.  It is like cursing in a forest.  Since no one can hear the obscenity what is the use?  Second, the best rooms were the ones taken by people of different persuasions.  This was a USY convention.  My first International Convention.

It was energizing to meet so many people from so many different locales.  Each came from an amazing place.  I remember well speaking with kids who came from Schechter Schools (Jewish Day Schools).  They were cool.  I could speak with them.  Even though they were light years ahead in education I enjoyed their company.  They sang louder than most when it came to spirited Hebrew and (naughty) English songs.  We laughed and stayed up as late as possible, carefully trying to steer clear of Rabbi Tough Guy.

At elections there were long speeches.  When it was Jef’s turn (who hailed from my neck of the woods) our New England group howled and cheered.  It was a fun election where the candidates promoted themselves and regions staunchly and zealously supported their homegrown favorite.

I did not realize the impact these same people were to have on life until I traveled to Israel with USY.  It was there I finally reached a true grounding.  What an impact that summer made on my life!  It opened up the idea of dating.  What is actually did was solidify in my mind the idea that I could date, and want to date, Jewish girls.  For some strange reason, it occurred to me that dating girls from my town bordered on incest.   I met people of the opposite sex through my connection in USY and was enlightened.

More, I got the sense from these years that there was something beyond mumbling old man that was valuable about being Jewish.  Kids need kids.  They need to know that it’s okay to be Jewish and cool at the same time.  It certainly made all the difference to this young man.

Rabbi Tough Guy collared me that night.  His hulking presence behind me, burly hands gripping my shirt I was caught.  But, on the bright side, I now had bragging rights.  Looking like I just won a Purple Heart from the President I returned to my assigned room and commiserated with my co-conspirators.  We wanted revenge and so planned a water balloon assault.  We worked the logistics out in quiet whispers.  Fatigue, however, had the last word and that was the end of that.

Parents, there is a whole world out there waiting for your children.  Take advantage of that.  Experiences await.  Opportunities call.  The marvelous group experiences provided by USY can make the difference for you teenager.  Have them participate.  A once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage with like-minded kids creates an unforgettable experience.  This is something they will hold forever.  Memories are made.  Help them create good and lasting ones.