At Midreshet AMIT, students spend the day learning, questioning, and growing in Torah. From interesting and challenging classes to guided chavruta study, the year is packed with learning geared to help develop a lifelong connection to Torah and the land of Israel. Through adventurous tiyulim, the students travel the length and breadth of Israel, learning about our history and gaining a greater appreciation for the State of Israel.
Our home is in Beit Hayeled, AMIT’s well-known foster home for disadvantaged youth. Students spend time each day teaching, playing, and caring for some of Israel’s most needy children. As a “big sister,” the student is challenged to give of herself in a way she never experienced before and she is transformed in the process. Here four recent graduates share their impressions of Midreshet AMIT.
MY YEAR AT MIDRESHET
LIVE TORAH
Zoey Glaubach, Woodmere, NY
The uniqueness of the program at Midreshet AMIT is the special combination of learning and chesed. Working with the children of Beit Hayeled is an amazing and unforgettable experience; for me, the learning at Midreshet AMIT was equally, if not even more, rewarding.
The Mechanechet Program at Midreshet AMIT is a wonderful opportunity to form personal connections with teachers and fellow students from around the world. As part of the learning structure, the students are divided into four groups. Each group meets three times per week, and that’s where we bond and become one unit. We learn and debate and discover new things about each other; and a few times a week all the students have a one-on-one with their mechanechet. For me, having a mechanechet meant having a “mother” in Israel–someone who was a role model and was always there for me in times of difficulty. Knowing that there was always someone to talk to was extremely comforting. At Midreshet AMIT, all the teachers are friendly and available both in and out of the classroom.
At the beginning of the year, I thought that learning Torah for a good part of the day was going to be a real challenge. Much to my surprise, I soon realized that I was delighted to be immersed in the study and could hardly wait for the next shiur (class). The topics were varied, and each teacher added his or her unique personality to the class. If there was a subject of interest that was not covered in a class, a teacher would happily arrange for us to learn it together in a chavruta (small separate group of students). Even during lunch breaks, there would be several chavrutas going on. It was astonishing to see students using their breaks to learn simply for the sake of learning.
Each student at Midreshet AMIT has a learning experience that is unique to her, but for everyone it is extremely rewarding. As for me, I am so proud that I was able to accomplish goals that I had never thought were within my reach.
LIVE ISRAEL
Rachel Gindi, Los Angeles, CA
My experience at Midreshet AMIT enhanced my love for Israel. Beginning in September and ending in June, we went on numerous outings and had once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We not only had the ability to travel and see this beautiful country, but we also had the opportunity to live among Israelis and immerse ourselves in their culture.
When I experienced Yom HaZikaron (The Day of Remembrance) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day), my whole perspective changed. Midreshet AMIT planned the programs for both these days. On the eve of Yom HaZikaron, we went to Latrun to participate in a special ceremony that included yeshivot and seminaries. It was very emotional and moving. The next day we went to the Gush Etzion cemetery and to Har Herzl where we paid our respects at the graves of the heroes of Israel who gave their lives so that this country may exist.
It is fascinating and somewhat confusing to witness how the entire country goes from deep sadness to happiness when Yom HaZikaron transitions into Yom Ha’atzmaut. This made me realize the passion and love the Israelis have for their country. It seems that everyone in Israel is living for something greater than himself or herself.
This past year, I was fortunate enough to meet so many inspiring people, and it is clear to me now, that this is the place I want to be! My year at Midreshet AMIT brought back that feeling.
One day in the future, I know I will return.
LIVE CHESED
Rebecca Jedwab, Lawrence, NY
A defining characteristic of Midreshet AMIT is that the school is located in Beit Hayeled, a foster home for Israeli children who come from dysfunctional, neglectful, and even abusive homes. These beautiful kids are in need of much love and support. I was given the opportunity to spend time with these children on a daily basis. Whether it involved helping them with homework or just playing sports in the yard, the time spent in Beit Hayeled was transformative, not only for the kids who live there but for me as well.
In order to create some semblance of a traditional family setting, the children at Beit Hayeled are placed with a surrogate family. During the first week of school, I was working with a foster family. The foster parents, Itai and Ariella Elshtein welcomed me with open arms and immediately made me feel at home. I was so thankful to be spending my year with such a friendly and energetic family.
Throughout the year the Elshteins invited me to participate in various events that took place in Beit Hayeled, such as Bar Mitzvah celebrations, Shabbat meals, birthday parties, and other events and competitions. However, some of my fondest memories in Beit Hayeled were created one day in December, when Jerusalem experienced a major snowstorm and school was canceled for the day. We spent the whole day with the children of Beit Hayeled, making snow angels, having snowball fights, and building snowmen. It was a great opportunity to bond with the kids and turned out to be a day that I will never forget.
Looking back, the hours I spent with these children were some of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my year in Israel. While I can only hope that I had some positive impact on these children’s lives, I can honestly say that they played a major role in making my year unforgettable.
