Before sunrise on a Friday morning last month, Asher Rost from CYP (Chabad Young Professionals) Fort Lauderdale stood near the summit of Acatenango Volcano watching Volcán de Fuego erupt across the Guatemalan skyline.

He was one of nearly 100 young Jewish professionals who arrived in Guatemala with their rabbis from 20 CYP communities across North America and beyond.

"There's something about being out there, physically removed from everything familiar, that makes the connections and conversations land differently," said Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Executive Director of CYP International at Merkos 302.

Participants began the trip in Antigua before traveling to Hobbitenango and then ascending Acatenango Volcano, spending a night at basecamp overlooking the active Volcán de Fuego.

Rabbi Mendel Fayershteyn, rabbi of CYP Fort Lauderdale, described the atmosphere: "The energy was unmatched, bubbling like the volcano," he said, "but at the same time, as they say here: ‘tranquilo.’ Everything felt very relaxed and organic. There was no sense of clock-watching or pressure. It was just people being together in a very real way."

"The hike was incredible, but more than that, it was about the people. It was wonderful to meet and spend time with so many new faces," said Corey Lipschutz.

The group returned to Antingua for Shabbat, which many pointed to as the highlight of the weekend. “Shabbat and meeting such amazing people really stood out,” said Shira Zeller. “It gave me the spiritual boost I needed.”

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