The start of the school year is a stressful time. New classes, friends, teachers, and most of all, a new beginning. A new school year is daunting, but for the seminary and yeshiva class of 5785, there are some additional stressors that don’t always register but seem to topple them all. Israel is in the middle of a war, and although we hope against it, a war on a much larger scale with the north may be brewing. And though the war seems far away at times—especially when you get caught up in whether or not a new friend you just met really likes you or not—it catches up to you eventually.
This past Shabbat, Parashat Ki Tavo, marked the first Shabbos spent away from school for most seminaries and yeshivas. Plans for this Shabbat have been in the works for weeks, maybe even months, whether to visit an aunt, or a distant relative, or possibly even your third cousin’s best friend. But no matter what your plans were, many had to make last-minute changes this week because of safety concerns surrounding the potential attack from Hezbollah.
However, aside from when concerns are forced upon you, seminary and yeshiva can feel like their own bubble, a country all on their own. Day-to-day life in Israel continues as usual, while the news provides the mind-blowing headlines. During time off from school, it’s business as usual—going to Ben Yehuda or the shuk, visiting the Kotel or friends in the Rova Square. There are countless places to explore, shops to browse in, and foods to try that remain unaffected by the war. One of the best parts of being in Israel for the year is the fact that you and all your friends, even the ones who live in Canada or London, are together in one place before you separate for college and beyond.
During these challenging and uncertain times, it’s easier to stay in our little bubble and tune out the noise from all around us, but at some point you need to look back and recognize the hard times we are in and the struggles that lay ahead. But if there was anything to learn from seminary and yeshiva thus far it’s that the Jewish nation was built on the ideas of achdut, unity, and it’s together that we will find our way. B’yachad nenatzeach! n
Esther Gaon is a graduate of HAFTR High School and is a recipient of the 2024 5TJT Student Journalism Award.
