IN SOME SCHOOLS THE EDUCATION BEGINS AND ENDS IN THE CLASSROOM. OTHER SCHOOLS ADD EXTRACURRICULAR EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. BUT BE’ER HAGOLAH DEMONSTRATED WITH THE ISRAEL MISSION THAT ONCE YOU’RE A STUDENT, YOU ARE IN THE BHI FAMILY FOR LIFE.
That is how Rabbi Tully Bryks, the director of admissions of Ohr Somayach described his impression after hosting the BHI alumni mission to Israel. Heavily subsidized by Olami International and Ohr Somayach, the BHI alumni mission brought together 19 young alumni for two weeks of jam-packed days filled with incredible activities, inspiring and uplifting Torah study, and new relationships that will last a lifetime.
The days began with praying, breakfast and Torah classes from the likes of Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz, Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblatt, Rabbi Dovid Kaplan, Rabbi Guy Matalon, and Rabbi Tully Bryks. These rabbis brought the Torah alive, explained many fundamental concepts and fanned the spark of Torah in the hearts of the young men, a number of whom are considering a year of full time Torah study in yeshiva in Israel.
In the afternoons, the boys had an opportunity to experience the width and breadth of the Holy Land. The first Shabbat was spent in Yerushalayim with the participation of the Dean, Rabbi Mordechai German and Rabbi Michoel Grunhut, a BHI high school rabbi. A special highlight was davening Friday night at the Kotel with thousands of Jews in unison.
Rabbi Mordechai Fishman, the Be’er Hagolah boys’ division principal, reported that one of the highlights was Shabbat in Tzefat. Seeing the kevarim of the tanaim (graves of rabbinical sages) brought the Torah learning alive. The tour of the Old City of Tzefat, gave the boys a sense of our history. The visits to nearby Meron and Amukah brought out the spark of connection with Hashem through the powerful tefilot. Kabalat Shabbat on a porch with the sun setting in the background made the radiance of Shabbat envelope everyone as they got swept up in song. After davening, they walked the streets of Tzefat and sang and danced with random Jews in the street. They ate the seudat Shabbat in an ancient room with an arched ceiling whose echoing of the tones of the zemirot (songs) Shabbat only added to the energy and feelings of Shabbat kodesh. They also saw the Abuhav and Arizals Shul as well as the famous Kivrei Tzadikim and Arizals mikveh.
Rabbi Bryks noted that these trips offer students a chance to connect with their soul. They ask deep questions as they grow in their connection to Hashem and find their place in Judaism. “This group was different from the typical group,” said Rabbi Bryks, “because the Be’er Hagolah students have a background in Judaism and Torah study to some extent, and they came as a cohesive group which allowed us to skip the first few ‘icebreaker’ days we usually have in these missions. You can see their affinity to their rabbis, and the strong mutual bond. They all wanted pictures with their Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi German and they were all so proud for him to see their spiritual growth. Rabbi Fishman was there for them day and night. He served every role from educator to organizer and everything else in between. Judaism encompasses the spiritual, emotional and physical and you were able to see the support and ahavat Yisroel (love for fellew Jews) from all the BHI staff members. It was inspiring for us.”
The boys went ATVing, visited the Institute of Technology, toured the City of David, enjoyed eating out, and went shopping for souvenirs in Geulah.
Most importantly, they charged themselves with spiritual energy and deepened their connection with Hashem and His Holy Torah and Land.
