This trip was supposed to be a group trip. We had women signed up, plans made, an itinerary filled with meaningful experiences—and then, one by one, for different reasons, people had to cancel. In the end, there were just three of us. For a moment, it would have been easy to look at that number and feel disappointed. To wonder whether it was still worth going. But tickets had been purchased, commitments had been made, and we decided: we’re going.

And I am so grateful we did. Because somewhere along the way, what could have felt like a “small turnout” became one of the most beautiful and intimate experiences.

There is something very special about traveling with just a few people. We could be flexible. We could linger. We could talk—really talk. Over those few days, we had deep conversations about life, relationships, our connection with G-d, faith, challenges, and growth. We laughed, we shared, we learned, and we bonded in a way that I don’t know would have happened in a larger group. And it reminded me of something Judaism teaches so powerfully: every person is an entire world. We live in a world that loves numbers. How many people came? How many signed up? How many followers? How big was the crowd? But since when did numbers become the measure of impact?

Our few days in New York were packed with incredible experiences. We visited the studio of renowned Jewish artist Michoel Muchnik, where we had the privilege of seeing his beautiful work and learning about his creative process. We visited the Rebbe’s Ohel, where we had time to pray, reflect, and ask for blessings for the things closest to our hearts. We explored Boro Park and Crown Heights, getting a glimpse into the richness and diversity of Jewish life. We visited 770, the headquarters of Chabad, and spent time experiencing the energy and history of the community.

One of the highlights was an intimate farbrengen with a wonderful woman from the Crown Heights community, who shared beautiful and practical wisdom about bringing faith into our everyday lives—not only when life is difficult, but as a daily way of living. And, of course, there was plenty of delicious kosher food! We ate at some wonderful restaurants and were once again amazed by the creativity, artistry, and talent of today’s kosher chefs.

But when I think back on the trip, it isn’t only the places we visited that I will remember. It’s the conversations in between. The laughter. The openness. The questions. The connection. The opportunity to really get to know one another.

What began as a group trip that didn’t quite turn out the way I had envisioned became something even more meaningful than I could have planned. It reminded me that we have to be careful not to measure success by quantity.

Sometimes the smallest experiences make the biggest impact.
Sometimes fewer people allow for deeper connection.
And sometimes G-d takes the plans we made, changes them completely, and gives us exactly the experience we didn’t know we needed.

Never underestimate the power of one person, one conversation, one connection, or one experience. Because when it comes to what truly matters, it was never about quantity.

It’s always about quality.