While most students enjoyed their Thanksgiving break at home, over fifty Jewish HHS students spent their weekend in the Hilton Hotel in St. Paul, Minn.

From Friday, Nov. 21 to Sunday 23, students attended Kinnus, a national Jewish youth group convention consisted of bonding activities, praying and embracing Jewish culture.

Lee Lehman, sophomore, expressed the importance of the event.

“It’s a truly amazing experience,” Lehman said. “You spend the weekend having meaningful discussions about greed, life and Israel and being surrounded by our culture.”

To apply for Kinnus, students must be registered in USY [United Synagogue Youth]. USY is a global organization consisted of Jewish freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Fall Kinnus included teens from Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, St. Louis and Canada.

“I love being around teenagers I can relate to,” Lehman said. “There’s over three hundred teenagers that you can relate to. You see your old friends, and you make new ones.”

Lehman believes that Kinnus is not an event you can attend just once in your lifetime.

“I had high expectations of [Kinnus], because I went last year as a freshman,” Lehman said. “But honestly, this year exceeded all of my expectations. I can’t wait to go next year.”