1.What is the Eternal Flame Teen Fellowship?
The teen fellowship focus is on 3 important elements:
A. Holocaust – Beyond listening to the stories first hand from the few remaining survivors, the teens focus on taking the next steps to make our world a better place.
B. Anti-Semitisitm – Recognizing its long history and the ugly recent resurgence. Finding ways teens can stand up and respond with pride and purpose.
C. Israel – Prepare the teens as they embark for college campuses – that is too often fueled by negatively and lies about Israel – to be ready with facts and determination on the importance and centrality of Israel to our people.
The 20 highschool teens will attend sessions on these important topics leading up to the Washington DC Experience Weekend, where we visit the Holocaust Museum, hear from members of power in the government addressing anti-semitisim and support if Israel.
2. How long has this program been running?
Valley Chabad launched on 2014 and has led a trip each spring to Washington (excluding during the pandemic)
3. What are the dates this year?
Sunday Sessions at Valley Chabad
Three Evening Sessions in March – 6:00pm
Washington DC Experience
Friday – Sunday, April 12-14, 2024
4. Who is eligible to apply?
The fellowship is open to all Jewish high school teens from the Pascack Valley and Saddle River communities.
5.How much does it cost?
$330 Per Teen
6. What is included in the registration fee?
Teen fellowship sessions with dinner. Dates TBA.
The complete 3-day Washington DC Experience including.
- Coach bus transportation
- Hotel accommodations at the new AC Marriott in Bethesda, MD
- Holocaust Museum tour
- All meals, snacks and activities, and high level speakers from the levers of power in DC.
7. How is the cost so low?
Good question. The actual cost for each teen participant is over $900. Due to the importance of this project we feel the need to make it affordable to all, we endeavor each year to find generous donors to help subsidize the cost. If you or someone you know would consider supporting, please reach out to Rabbi Yosef Orenstein at rabbiyosef@valleychabad.org
8. If my teen can’t make one of the sessions, can they still participate?
We expect all teen fellows to attend the entire program. If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please be in touch with Rabbi Yosef.
9. How will the teens get to Washington?
Coach Bus
10. Where will the teens stay?
The Hyatt Centric Arlington in Arlington, VA.
11. Who will chaperone the Washington Experience?
Rabbi Yosef Orenstein will be leading the trip along with other chaperone’s.
12. Will there be other teens not from our area on the trip?
Yes. In addition to our group, we will be spending the weekend with about another 100 teens from Chabad CTeen chapters from across the mid-Atlantic area.