October 28, 2025
Abi Scholnik | CGB Vice President, London School of Economics ‘26
Sophie Kalmin | CGB Member, Emory University ‘26
For over four decades, the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) has created something epic: SummerU, a weeklong retreat that brings Jewish students and young professionals to stunning European destinations for geopolitical and skills-building workshops, board elections, and evening celebrations of Jewish life. SummerU has a legacy of uniting the Jewish future from across Europe and beyond, making it one of the most anticipated events of the summer. This year in Bansko, Bulgaria, we were fortunate to be among those who experienced it firsthand.
SummerU is a “choose your own adventure” experience—no two participants experience it in the same way. With this in mind, we are sharing our two perspectives on the remarkable experience SummerU has brought to each of us.
Abi Schcolnik, CGB Vice President, London School of Economics ‘26
For me, SummerU wasn’t something that just popped up on the calendar—it was the culmination of months of preparation, hard work, and countless late-night WhatsApp conversations. Since early June, I was supporting a friend's campaign to become an EUJS board member, investing energy into every detail and watching it all come together. That’s what makes SummerU so unique: it’s equal parts politics and fun. One minute you’re in a workshop about the future of European Jewry, and the next, you’re sitting by the pool or losing your voice on the dance floor. And somewhere in between, the EUJS board is elected for the next two years. Being part of that process, even in a small way, felt like a privilege.
One of the highlights for me was celebrating my friend’s success when he won a spot on the EUJS board. Thanks to AJC, I was able to actually be there—not just sending good luck texts from afar, but standing in the room, cheering with everyone else. It reinforced how powerful it is to show up for each other, across borders, in real life.
SummerU presented me with a bridge to my future. As I prepared to move to England after spending 4 years in Miami, I met Jewish students from across the UK at SummerU, which made the unknown feel less intimidating. What once felt like a daunting leap now felt like stepping into a community that's already waiting. Who would’ve thought that in the middle of Bulgaria, I’d find the reassurance I needed for my next chapter?
Sophie Kalmin, CGB Member, Emory University ‘26
As a born-and-raised Texan, I arrived at SummerU in Bulgaria full of curiosity and excitement. It was hard to grasp that the entire Jewish population of Bulgaria was smaller than the two Jewish communities I had lived in in Houston and Atlanta. I had no frame of reference for the unique challenges facing European Jewish communities. However, I quickly learned that Jewish joy and tradition transcend borders. At SummerU, I learned what it truly means to be a part of one people as I stood between Greek and Italian students at Havdalah, had political conversations with British students at the pool, and unpacked it all with the Uruguayan and Australian members of AJC’s Campus Global Board (CGB).
What made the experience even more powerful was recognizing how interconnected the Jewish student world truly is. As a returning CGB member, I was thrilled to be reunited with the four other CGB members in attendance—I had marked my calendar for Brandon Leach's leadership session; I couldn't wait to connect with Jonathan Iadarola's fellow World Union of Jewish Students board members; I was eager to watch Adriana Bussel-Alonso shine in her role as AJC’s Goldman Summer Fellow for EUJS; and, I looked forward to having Abi as both a roommate and Spanish-speaking lifeline. Our tight-knit group grew as we welcomed Helene from Norway. Beyond our CGB delegation, I recognized countless students from the WUJS Congress in Berlin this past New Year's, reconnected with a participant from the AJC-CRIF Summit in Normandy. I saw familiar faces from my semester in London. It was a weeklong revelation in which the Jewish world synthesized right before my eyes.
As I tabled alongside the other Jewish organizations that helped make SummerU possible, I felt proud to be representing AJC, the only organization present with "American" in its name. My southern accent turned out to be an asset, sparking conversations about AJC's global reach and tangible impact. Connecting with students and young professionals with ties to every corner of Europe reinforced our shared commitment to Jewish solidarity.
Jewish Joy Transcends Borders
In Judaism, joy is not merely a happy outcome, but a religious imperative. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, longtime Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, emphasizes the Talmudic teaching that joy is the state in which God's presence is felt. At SummerU, this teaching came to life; both Orthodox and Progressive services were beautifully executed, building community in a way that left us almost speechless. We recognized some melodies, learned new ones, and were reminded of how vast and varied our people are. The thread connecting each service, tune, and nationality was the unmistakable joy we all shared.
Top 5 Takeaways
Reflecting on our week in Bansko, several lessons emerged that we have brought back to our campuses and communities.
Community knows no borders. Whether you're from Texas or Uruguay, London or Athens, SummerU proves that Jewish identity creates instant connections. The friendships formed over one week in Bulgaria will ripple across continents for years to come.
Show up in person. In an age of digital connection, there's no substitute for being physically present. From campaign celebrations to Shabbat services, the power of showing up for each other in real life cannot be overstated.
Embrace the unfamiliar. Stepping outside your comfort zone, whether that's attending your first EUJS event or preparing to move to a new country, becomes infinitely easier when a community surrounds you. SummerU reminds us that the Jewish world is smaller and more interconnected than we think.
Joy is our superpower. Despite the challenges facing Jewish communities worldwide, SummerU demonstrated that our ability to celebrate, connect, and find meaning together is what sustains us. This joy isn't frivolous but a fundamental part of who we are.
Politics and poolside can coexist. The magic of SummerU lies in its refusal to choose between serious discourse and pure celebration. We can debate the future of European Jewry in the morning and dance together at night. In fact, we must.
As we returned back to the States from Bansko, we carried more than just memories and inside jokes. We brought back a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, strengthened networks that span the globe, and the unshakeable knowledge that wherever we go next, we're part of something much bigger than ourselves. SummerU didn't just bring us together for a week; it reminded us that we've been together all along.
Sophie Kalmin and Abi Schcolnik are members of the American Jewish Committee's Campus Global Board. Sophie is an undergraduate student at Emory University, and Abi is starting her Master's at the London School of Economics in England.
