Unpack with YUPAC: The Dichotomy of Being a Jew Now

After I got back from camp, I had about a week and a half to recover before moving back into the dorms. Typically, I use these long stretches at home to catch up on my laundry and get all of my doctor’s appointments out of the way. At the end of August, I had a dentist appointment and had to schedule a follow-up appointment. As someone who prides herself on being a “fake in-towner” (I live in Queens), I don’t go home often, especially for long stretches of time. I looked up the academic calendar and looked at when we would have remote classes because I knew that the next time I’d be in the area was for the month of Tishrei. The date I instinctively chose was Monday, Oct. 7. As I said the words to my dentist, a part of me felt a little strange. What was so significant about Oct. 7? Why did I feel weird scheduling so normal and mundane for this date?

It didn’t hit me until I got in the car to drive home. Of course, it feels strange to go to the dentist on the anniversary of the most deadly day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. I didn’t even realize that the anniversary was coming up because it’s still so fresh in my mind. It was definitely weird to log off of a Tehillim Zoom commemorating Oct. 7 to drive to my dentist’s office. As I was sitting in my dentist’s chair, I thought about the dichotomy of living as a Jewish person in America right now. To be honest, I’ve felt this way for the past year. There’s a war going on there. I’m going about my normal life here. I look at the news from there while I go to class here. I take tests and write papers here while my friends are drafting into the military there. 

There were times I felt more connected than others. I was privileged to attend the Sacks-Herenstein Solidarity Mission last January in which I was able to volunteer and bear witness and do something active to make a small difference there. My own family and friends have been drafting into the army and beginning their national service. Sometimes I wonder, “What can I do here that will be anywhere as meaningful as what they’re doing there?”

However, one of the most meaningful parts of my experience so far at Yeshiva University has been the various opportunities to get involved in helping Israel even from so far away. This includes everything from Tehillim gatherings, minyanim for Mincha, the various chesed opportunities and personally the most meaningful, getting involved in the Yeshiva University Political Action Club (YUPAC). 

When I first arrived on campus, I knew that I wanted to get involved in as many things as possible. When board applications were released, I submitted my application as fast as I could. Thankfully, I was accepted as a board member to be a part of the Events Committee. After the events of Oct. 7, we had our first in-person board meeting. Shortly thereafter, it was decided that YUPAC’s annual mission to Washington was going to be moved to November instead of its original date in March, due to what was going on in Israel. My primary job was to compile the contact information for 60 members of Congress and make appointments with their offices. Though this was a relatively small role, it was important that I do my best work. Safe to say that the November mission was a success.

In February, it was decided that YUPAC was going to be running a second mission to Washington that April, and I was brought on to “do my thing”: make an incredibly organized spreadsheet and be on top of emails. In addition to working on the appointments for the trip, I was asked to be a group leader and oversee the YUPAC media for the day.

Within my circles of friends, I’m known as “spreadsheet girl,” “highlighter girl,” etc. It’s something I take pride in. I love being organized and on top of things. So naturally, I found it very meaningful to take that strength and put it towards something productive and meaningful for the land I care so deeply about.

My role in YUPAC has allowed me to use my strengths to do something positive and productive on behalf of Israel. It has been one of the most meaningful experiences during my time at Yeshiva University.

Photo caption: Students with YUPAC on Capitol Hill

Photo credit: YUPAC