Nominated and written Chana Gendzier, NCSY Alumna

I first met Julia on my very shabbaton when I was in 8th grade. She came over to me and we talked as if I had known her forever. The minute I got home from the weekend I already had a friend request and a message from her. My high school experience was not a great one (none are that awesome). I was faced with a lot of anti-Semitism and bullying. After the death of one of my dear friends I struggled to hold on to my faith. Julia would message me everyday and she constantly showed me her support. What inspired me the most was she opened up to me. She told me her whole story of how she struggled with observance and how she became the eishet chayil she is today. She is the kind of person you can always call up and she will have the perfect advice to give. She cares so much for every single one of her NCSYers. On our TJJ trip in 2012 I had a very bad asthma attack. I was rushed to the ER in an ambulance. Julia held my hand the entire time. She even had to miss the best dinner of the trip! She never left my side. Even at 2am in the hospital she kept her bubbly attitude and her contagious smile. I wouldn’t have gotten through that night if it wasn’t for her. I know no matter where I go in life or how long it has been since NCSY I can always count on Julia to be there. She helps anyone in need and asks for nothing in return. I hope to be like her one day. She is a true tzakedet and everything she does is a kiddush Hashem.