Imagine arriving in a new place, walking into a room full of teens you’ve never met before. That was me, standing in the middle of the EWR Airport, bags in hand, nerves running high, as I began my journey through CLTC 1. As I looked around at the unfamiliar faces of other Jewish teens, I didn’t realize that these “strangers” would soon become some of my closest friends. That this airport terminal wasn’t just the start of a trip, it was the start of the most meaningful 12 days of my life.

When our bus finally pulled up to Camp Poyntelle, I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, fear, hope, and anticipation. I was stepping into an experience I had heard so much about but didn’t yet understand. But that changed quickly. The moment we stepped off that bus, we were greeted not with hesitation, but with joy and energy. Staff members and coordinators were cheering, smiling, and welcoming us into the space with open arms. Within hours, our group of 20 Alephs, strangers just that morning, were already connecting through icebreakers, Jewish geography, and shared excitement.

What makes CLTC so special is that it’s not just a summer camp. It’s a deeply intentional leadership and Jewish identity experience. Every single day was built with purpose. From mock chapters to Shabbat planning, from Blueprints to leading services, we were pushed outside of our comfort zones and given the tools to grow. But more than anything, we were given the freedom to discover who we were and who we wanted to be, as leaders, as Alephs, and as Jewish teens.

One of the most meaningful aspects of CLTC was how seamlessly it integrated Jewish life into everything we did. It wasn’t just about learning to lead meetings or plan programs. It was about understanding how our Jewish values can shape the way we lead. Every morning, we began with a meaningful moment of reflection, grounding our day in something greater than ourselves. And as the week went on, we dove into conversations about tradition, community, and spirituality. These weren’t just ideas, we lived them together.

And then came Shabbat. There is truly no way to describe what a CLTC Shabbat feels like unless you’ve experienced it yourself. That Friday evening, all dressed in Shabbat outfits and made our way to the amphitheater, this beautiful open space surrounded by trees, with rows of wooden benches and the summer air buzzing around us. The energy was unlike anything I’ve felt before. As we gathered together under the open sky, the entire group sang the familiar melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat. The voices around me didn’t just echo through the amphitheater; they echoed through my heart.

It wasn’t about how well we sang or who knew the prayers it was about being together, fully present, fully connected. For many of us, it was the first time Judaism felt not just traditional, but truly meaningful. That night we didn’t just welcome Shabbat, we embraced it. We danced, prayed, laughed, and reflected. And in doing so, we strengthened not only our connection to each other, but to the thousands of years of Jewish tradition that came before us.

Shabbat gave us a chance to breathe. To disconnect from the outside world and be fully in the moment. We led services, and sang songs that gave us chills, and took time to reflect. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn’t just part of a Jewish community, I belonged in it.

And as Shabbat came to a close, we gathered once more for Havdalah. Standing shoulder to shoulder, the scent of spices in the air and the flame of the candle lighting up the night, we marked the end of something holy. We swayed arm in arm, singing “Hamavdil” at the top of our lungs with nothing but love and unity between us. In that moment, I felt like I was part of something bigger than any individual, a movement, a family, a legacy. The sound of our voices rising together in song is something I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just the end of Shabbat, it was a reminder of the magic of the place we were in.

CLTC also gave me role models, leaders like our AZA coordinator Harry Barnett, who didn’t just tell us what leadership looked like, they showed us. Harry shared his BBYO journey with us, made us laugh, made us think, and most importantly, made us feel seen. He reminded us that leadership isn’t about titles or power, it’s about connection. It’s about making others feel valued. And that idea shaped everything I experienced from that moment on.

By the end of the 12 days, I had grown in ways I never thought possible. I wasn’t just more confident in leading a program or writing a speech, I was more confident in who I was as a person. CLTC taught me how to lead with empathy, how to work with others, and how to use my Jewish values as a guide for creating impact. I walked away not just with skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger Jewish identity.

CLTC 1 wasn’t just a chapter in my BBYO story, it was the chapter that changed everything. It gave me brothers I’ll never forget. It gave me memories I’ll always hold on to. And most of all, it gave me the strength to believe in myself as a leader, not just in BBYO, but in life.

And as I look back on it now, I realize something powerful: CLTC didn’t just teach me how to be a better Aleph. It taught me how to be a better version of myself.

Fraternally submitted with an undying love for CLTC 1, every Aleph and BBG I encountered on this journey, and the International Order of BBYO.
I will forever remain,
Aleph Leo Gotlib,
a damn proud member of CLTC 1 2025