Reporting on a gap year in Israel

My journey with Midreshet Tehila started last year, when I spoke to Rabbi Menachem Nissel about furthering my Jewish education and which
program he felt worked best for me. At the end of the conversation, I began to research the various seminaries he suggested. I felt Midreshet Tehila was where I belonged and that I had a chance to connect as a member of a modern generation of Judaism with my past lineage.

Well, three months in, I can tell you one thing is for sure: the days are longer here and far more meaningful. In high school, I would live a cycle of going to school, doing homework, maybe picking up a Jewish book that would soon forget and repeat my day again. I was grasping at straws with regard to my Jewish education.

 Here I wake up and learn all day; I am immersed in the world of working on myself and developing my relationship with Judaism. My Torah growth here is at my fingertips, and I intend to use every resource. I have classes on a range of topics: some teach me the best ways to interact with others, some open my eyes to the mystical concepts within Judaism, and some simply recognize the character traits we gain from the 12 tribes and what we can do to tap into their strengths.

Midreshet Tehila so far feels like it was built for me, though I know my program mates feel similarly even with their different backgrounds and goals. I love that we don’t have a huge student body so everyone is able to receive individual care.

The program, however, is not so small as to feel stifling or as to diminish the opportunity of creating new relationships. There is also the fact that MT is located on a huge campus, and there’s always the chance to meet new girls from different walks of life. They aren’t using cookie cutters and expecting uniformity, but are trying to build us up and allow us to become the best versions of ourselves. 

As much as we are developing our spiritual side, we are developing our love of the land through experiencing adventures for ourselves. It may just be three months in but I feel gratitude that I have found myself here and have made lifelong friendships, grown exponentially and hope to continue to build new aspirations as I continue to change. All of this could not have occurred if it hadn’t been for my amazing mother who continues to support me in all of my endeavors.

HANNA GIRARD is spending a gap year in Israel after graduating from Classical High School in Providence. She is the daughter of Ethne Girard. Her year is being partially supported by Israel study grants and scholarships from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.