Ten students from Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, Illinois, are embarking on a once in a lifetime experience to Costa Rica for a week-long service and cultural immersion trip. This trip is inspired from two Jewish values: tzedek (Hebrew for justice) and kehila (Hebrew for community). Over the next week, we will live these Jewish values, and many more, as we volunteer in our host village, Pozo Azul, and explore beautiful Costa Rica.
The group has been working together over the past six months in preparation for this journey. Below you will have the opportunity to get to read about these incredible teens. Over the next week, they will take turns blogging about their journey. We hope you enjoy following our adventure!
Name: Sloane S.
Grade: Freshman
School: Glenbrook South High School
I am most excited for: Interacting and talking with the locals, especially the kids!
I hope to take away from this experience: I hope to make new friends on this trip and make a difference in Costa Rica!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Phish Food from Ben and Jerry’s
Anything else that you would like to share about yourself? I was just elected to be the JeTY Freshmen Representative for next year’s board!
Name: Eli G.
Grade: Junior
School: New Trier High School
I am most excited for: The flight!
I hope to take away from this experience: I am excited to bond with the group while we are volunteering.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate
Name: Annalise L.
Grade: Senior
School: Maine East High School
I am most excited for: The language barrier.
I hope to take away from this experience: A sense of gratitude for what I have.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Champagne
Name: Rachel B.
Grade: Freshmen
School: Glenbrook South High School
I am most excited for: Trying out new things!
I hope to take away from this experience: New friendships and a better understanding of other places and different cultures.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cotton candy flavor
Name: Julia B.
Grade: Senior
School: New Trier High School
I am most excited for: To meet new people.
I hope to take away from this experience: A new sense of their culture and food.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate
Anything else that you would like to share about yourself: I am one of the Teen Leader’s on the trip and I was just elected as the JeTY Membership Vice President for next year!
Name: Kelsey K.
Grade: Sophomore
School: Beacon Academy
I am most excited for: Helping build things for the village.
I hope to take away from this experience: Learning what life is like for people in Costa Rica because it seems different than in the United States.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Black cherry
Name: Frank A.
Grade: Junior
School: Glenbrook South High school
I am most excited for: Going to Costa Rica. I’ve never been there and I’m excited about what there is in in Costa Rica.
I hope to take away from this experience: Acquiring sets of skills I have not developed yet.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and cream
Name: Jordana B.
Grade: Freshman in college
School: New York University
I am most excited for: Learning about a new culture.
I hope to take away from this experience: I hope to take away new knowledge that I can apply in life.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip
Anything else that you would like to share about yourself: I am one of the Teen Leader’s on the trip.
Name: Parker D.
Grade: Freshman
School: New Trier High School
I am most excited for: Everything!
I hope to take away from this experience: I want to learn about Costa Rican culture.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip
Name: Brie K.
Grade: Junior
School: Glenbrook North High School
I am most excited for: Meeting new people.
I hope to take away from this experience: New perspectives.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Salted caramel
Anything else that you would like to share about yourself: I have two cats and I was just elected to be JeTY’s Religious and Cultural Vice President!