Virtual Israel Experience

Devora Deutch

Devora graduated from RITTS high school in the year 2000. She spent last year at Midreshet Moriah Women's Seminary in Jerusalem. She returned home in June and plans to go back to Israel in the fall for one more semester at Midreshet Moriah. She will then return to the United States and continue her university studies at Stern College in New York City. She is a member of Golf Manor Synagogue.

A loud crash fills the air. Everyone falls silent awaiting the sirens that will indicate trouble. Nothing. "Don't worry! It was just a sonic boom!" someone yells, as panic stricken faces slowly start to calm and people resume their daily activities.

Last Wednesday night I returned home from Israel where I spent my first year of college. For nine months, I studied a wide variety of Judaic studies including Bible, Jewish Law, Jewish Philosophy, and modern and ancient commentaries at a religious women's seminary in Jerusalem. I also was privileged to participate in the chesed volunteer program of my school assisting needy families. Additionally I had the opportunity to join the Kedman-Achy organization as an advisor for Ethiopian youth.

Upon greeting all of my friends and relatives, naturally everyone's first question was about the terrible situation in Israel and how it affected my year. "Were you scared?' Did it put a damper on your year?" At times, yes, I was scared. But did it put a damper on my year? Definitely not! If anything, the situation gave me a greater love and appreciation for the land of Israel.

Despite the restrictions on where we could and could not go, Midreshet Moriah, the program in which I and 79 other young women from across the United States, England, and Australia attended these past nine months, would not let the situation hold us back. Throughout the year we went on several organized tiyulim trips around the country where we toured, hiked, and learned about the history and significance of the place. Some of these tiyulim included: the Negev, Masada, the Old City of Jerusalem, Eilat and Tzefat.

History repeats itself. As in all times of trouble, the Jewish nation unites. "Kol Yisroel arevim zeh la zeh, all of Israel is responsible for one another." There were rallies and community tefillot -prayers at the Kotel for the situation, which we were encouraged to attend. Every time the word was received of another bomb or casualty there would be an announcement made right away. Everyone would gather in the Beit Midrash (study hall), teacher and student alike, to say Tehilim (Psalms) for the people and families that were hurt by the incident.

One of the most beautiful experiences for me this year was being a part of the celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim and the commemoration of Yom Hazikaron and Yom HaShoah. Only in Israel would young and old, Sephardi and Ashkenazi, observant and secular, come together as one with so much achdut and ahava (unity and love) for our land. From the somber moments of Yom Ha Shoah and Yom HaZikaron, when the whole country came to a standstill for two minutes of silence prompted by the sirens, to the joyous celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalyim, marching with thousands of others triumphantly through the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, I realized that despite our differences, we are truly "am echad b'lev echad, one nation with one heart."

In the short time that I have been back in Cincinnati many people have approached me and asked, "Should I go to Israel? Is it safe?" I always answer with a resounding: YES! Of course, one must take precautions when living and visiting in Israel. However, people do live normal lives there. As a student residing in Israel, I along with most of the nation continued with our daily routines, not feeling dangers around us at every moment. In spite of the tensions and tragedies that have occurred these past months in Israel, normalcy prevails.

This past year away in Israel was such a positive experience for me. I have grown and matured spiritually and intellectually The Rabbis, teachers, and friends that I have encountered this year have inspired me and left a lasting impression which will guide me the rest of my life.

Jewish learning in Israel is flourishing anew. At no other time in history have more Jews had the opportunity to explore their religious heritage in their homeland. Jewish sovereignty over Eretz Yisroel has been restored after two thousand years of exile establishing the State of Israel as a safe haven for all Jews the world over. Choosing not to go to Israel is not the answer. Israel needs our support now more than ever. "L'shana haba b'Yerushalayim!"

Copyright 2009 The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise