Imagine yourself standing under a big tree decorated with LED lights under the stars, arms around your best friends, singing songs of joy and excitement. Doesn’t that sound like the most magnificent place on Earth? That place isn’t so far out of reach – that place is Perlman.

For six weeks every summer, Perlman hosts two of the most popular summer programs – ILTC and International Kallah. This past summer, I was lucky enough to be able to spend both programs and all six weeks at Perlman, and let me tell you – GO TO PERLMAN! I met people from all around the world, some of whom are now my best friends. In addition, I was able to learn how to be a leader in my community, as well as how to embrace Judaism in my own way. Not only that, but I learned lessons and values that I will forever hold in my heart.

First off, what is the difference between ILTC and Kallah? When deciding which program to go on, it is important to know what you are getting yourself into. I highly recommend both programs, but for someone seeking only one, this can help you figure out which one you would prefer! Starting with ILTC, it is very leadership-based. Almost every day you are taught a new way to become a leader in your BBYO community. From calendaring to mapping to MRIHA and everything in between, every day you are learning something new about BBYO. Kallah, on the other hand, is more built around the basis of finding yourself and your Judaism. Every day is full of Jewish enrichment activities designed for each teen to find and create their own Jewish identity. From learning about different Jewish celebrations to learning about Judaism in comic books, there is always something new to learn about your personal observance of Judaism.

All of that being said, no matter which program you choose, you will meet INCREDIBLE people. I went to Perlman having already gone to CLTC and Camp BBYO, so I already knew people going into camp. However, my best friends now are people I didn’t know beforehand. No matter if you have gone on a summer program already or it is your first one, there are going to be hundreds of new people to meet. It might seem intimidating going to a new place where you don’t know anyone, but everyone is super welcoming and is mainly there for the purpose of meeting new people. You will seriously meet the best people that you will forever have in your life. I still text my camp friends every single day, even though camp ended months ago. At Perlman, you truly do make connections that will last a lifetime.

Having gone on both ILTC and Kallah, I gained so many skills in both BBYO leadership and in Judaism. I didn’t know all the different laws for converting to Judaism, but now I do. Do you? Do you know how to correctly calendar all your events for the year? I learned how during Blueprint at ILTC! Do you know typical Jewish home values? They are talked about in Beiteinu at Kallah! There is so much to learn at these programs – are you going to be there to learn it?

Now, four months after Perlman ended, I long for the feeling of community, friendship, and knowledge that was brought upon me at Perlman this past summer. It is such a life-changing experience that helped shape me into who I am today, and it has been doing so for so many decades in the past. Perlman is truly a place of discovery, history, and magic. This is your sign to go on Perlman 2025 for a summer you will never forget.