Through Their Eyes: Teens and the Families Who Welcomed Them | Jessice, Maya, Peleg & Rachel

In this episode, Jessica Cohen Banish from Nashvile, TN, Maya Fux from Hadera, Peleg Orenstein from Pardes-Hanna Karkur,, and Rachel Landis from Charleston, SC - reflect on what it means to grow up Jewish in very different contexts.Maya and Peleg participated in an in-person youth delegation to the U.S. communities, where they stayed with host families and built meaningful relationships with their American peers. These home hospitality experiences added a deeply personal layer to the program - allowing Israeli teens not just to visit, but to live inside the rhythm of Jewish life abroad, share Shabbat dinners, and have real conversations around the kitchen table.The bonds that formed between the teens and their host families became some of the most impactful parts of the journey - demonstrating how hospitality, warmth, and curiosity can foster true connection across cultures.Together, the group opens up about navigating political differences, family expectations, and the shared desire to stay connected to something larger than themselves. Through honest conversations sparked by the Local2Global (L2G) program, they share about the moments of connection that make these cross-cultural encounters so powerful.Speakers:Jessica Cohen Banish – SE Consortium coordinator and P2G host momMaya Fux – P2G Teen Experience participantPeleg Orenstein Hadash – P2G Teen Experience participant.Rachel Landis – P2G host mom