Like many young Jews from Europe, David Csillik had his first Jewish experience at Szarvas. Run in part by Federation partner JDC, Camp Szarvas brings together 1,500 teens from more than 20 countries for summer fun while helping them explore their Jewish roots.
After six years as a Szarvas counselor, David now feels empowered to stand at the vanguard of leaders building a positive identity for Hungarian Jewry.
“My favorite thing about being Jewish is the community,” he says. “JDC has given me the opportunity to see myself as a Jewish leader, a Jewish advocate, someone who is actually a representative of the community.”