We attended the shiva of one of those young soldiers, 20-year-old Staff Sgt. Evyatar Turgeman, of Beit She’an, who was killed in a firefight with terrorists in Gaza. We learned of his devotion to Israel and the Torah from family members. It is the commitment of soldiers such as Turgeman that allows people from around the world to visit Israel safely.

“Being in Israel at this time has taught me how important it is to be loyal to my homeland,” said Woodmere resident Aharon Goldblatt, 16, “and to not let challenging experiences affect my summer of both fun and personal growth.”

Having to head for shelter periodically gave us a greater appreciation for what the residents of the communities of Sderot and Ashkelon go through every day, having a mere 15 seconds from the time a siren sounds to get to safety in a bomb shelter.
Asher Willner, 15, of Los Angeles, said he learned the importance of national unity from his experience. “This summer taught me that a nation can only stand strong if it stands together,” he said. “The way we helped the soldiers, prayed and got together as one shows the strength of a nation that stands together.”

Several other summer programs canceled their trips to Israel due to safety and logistical concerns, but Kollel did not. Sometimes the most valuable experiences in life come under less than ideal circumstances. While this summer certainly had its challenges, I had an experience of a lifetime, one that gave me an even greater appreciation for Israel.

Carroll, 15, who lives in Woodmere, will be a junior at Woodmere’s Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys.