In Hispin, Kollel had a schedule full of Torah study, sports and trips in the Golan Heights. We visited Safed and Tiberias, two of the four traditionally holy cities of Israel. We went zip-lining, toured a chocolate factory, went on hikes and biked in the beautiful Golan region. We also helped out Israeli troops by making packages full of goods to be shipped down to Gaza, and by tying tzitzit, knotted ritual tassels, for the soldiers stationed there.

As we did on the first night of Kollel, on the day of our return to Beit Meir, we visited the Wailing Wall to pray. “Being here is that much sweeter when your enemies are trying to keep you away,” said Yitzy Scheinman, 18, of Woodmere. Extra police officers and soldiers were stationed there, and we stayed together as a group to ensure our safety.

Moving back to Beit Meir allowed Kollel to hold its annual Kumzitz at the Kotel (the Wailing Wall) event. During the late afternoon of Tisha B’Av — a holiday that marks the destruction of the two ancient temples, and other tragedies in Jewish history — more than 200 Kollel participants and staff members joined hundreds of Jews from different backgrounds. In a circle, we sang in unison, mourning the destruction of the two holy temples and praying for the coming of the messiah and the rebuilding of the third holy temple.

“It was an inspiring afternoon of heartfelt song and prayer,” said Michael Weiner, 17, of Philadelphia. “I was personally moved to see Jews from diverse backgrounds come together in unity and closeness.”

Appreciating their summer trip

Despite the circumstances, I had the summer of a lifetime on Kollel, gaining a greater appreciation for what Israeli citizens deal with on a daily basis. Many Israelis, just a few years older than me and my Kollel peers, put their lives on the line to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces.