HT Blog

I recently returned from what was an emotional, meaningful, and inspirational trip to Israel.

Devora and I spent quality time with our son, Hersch, who is learning in Torat Shraga this year, my parents who live in Yerushalayim, and many close family members, all of whom are either serving in the army themselves or who have a spouse or child serving.

While there, we were also privileged to serve as representatives of the Hillel Torah community. Here are some of the highlights from our trip.

Kotel and Flag 
We delivered notes to the Kotel written by students, staff, and parents, and davened for the soldiers, the captives, and everyone back in Chicago.

We delivered an Israeli flag to soldiers with inspirational messages from our students which Amir Kakon (HT ‘11) has already displayed on his army base.

Hostages
Our visit coincided with the temporary cease-fire. Many of us were able to take off our “hostage necklaces” when the person for whom we’ve been davening and to whom we’ve become so attached was released.

Naveh Visit – Displaced Families
On Sunday we visited members of the community of Naveh, a religious agricultural Moshav near the Gaza and Sinai borders, who were evacuated from their homes and have been temporarily living in the Shalom Hotel in Bayit V’gan, Jerusalem for the past 7 weeks.  The hustle and bustle of the hotel lobby full of children – some on small bikes – was something to behold. The walls of the lobby were plastered with inspirational notes, daily schedules, and instructions on the improvised laundry system where neighborhood families are volunteering to pick up, wash, and fold the laundry for this entire community.

In the lobby we met with Orit Shalom and Zion Leshem who have emerged as community leaders, helping organize the activities, volunteers, and fundraising needs for safety and security equipment needed for them to be able to return to their Moshav safely.

We brought with us a duffel full of activity bags decorated and packed by Hillel Torah children at our recent Israel Solidarity Day along with many pictures and cards created by students. Needless to say, the children of all ages who received the bags and cards were excited and very appreciative. They were especially moved by the fact that these were made by children all the way from Chicago. Feeling that long-distance hug, and support from Jews all over the world made children and parents feel supported.

When we entered the makeshift Beit Midrash in the hotel, we saw children of all ages learning b’chavruta without any parents or teachers there! I spoke to them about their learning and told them we came to visit from Chicago. They were excited to share that one of the boys celebrated his bar mitzvah just the night before and they had a party for him!

Zion and Orit introduced us to many of the families, including a woman who recently gave birth. Despite the difficult conditions in which they’ve been living for almost two months, we were overwhelmed by how calm, and positive everyone was. The resilience, positivity, and ability to move forward and continue to celebrate life made a strong impression on us.

On our way out, a few neighborhood girls were on their way in with freshly baked cookies and offered some to us thinking we were part of the Naveh community. It was incredible to see how the entire neighborhood of Bayit V’gan is supporting this beautiful community!

Visit to Gaza Border Area
On Monday we had the privilege of visiting the towns near Gaza with Dvir Dimri, former HT Shaliach (2012-2026) who is currently serving as a Sgan M”P (Deputy Company Commander) in the Givati Brigade, responsible for overseeing the security in the Kibbutz towns of Be’eri, Re’im and Alumim. Click here for a video of Dvir explaining the area.

We first visited the site where the IDF rabbinate has brought hundreds of destroyed and burnt vehicles in which people were killed and which may still contain human remains. They plan on burying them in accordance with Jewish law and as a memorial to the atrocities of October 7. The vast scale of the destruction was striking, and it was a difficult site to behold.

Our next stop was a pina chama (hospitality tent) for soldiers at the entrance to Moshav Shuva. The area was filled with soldiers, volunteers, and military vehicles. The large tented structure was set up beautifully with food and snacks for soldiers, and volunteers. There was a hot lunch buffet, refrigerated items, and a great espresso machine – all kosher! There was also a tent filled with items for soldiers – underwear, socks, winter gear, and packaged snacks – all free. And if a soldier can’t find their size or something they need, they have a 24-hour guarantee in which they will get it for them. We visited on a rainy day and heard how they worked through the night to erect the roof over the food area before the rain. As we stood there speaking with the person in charge, the rain subsided and a rainbow appeared. We all recited the bracha on a rainbow together – זוכר הברית! The most amazing thing of all is that all of this is run by a family from the Moshav along with the help of many other amazing people, all of whom are volunteering their time and money to keep up the spirits of the soldiers and volunteers. Aside from the delicious coffee, you couldn’t help but be uplifted by the scene and vibe. Click here for a video.

We then visited troops stationed at Kibbutz Be’eri, which has become one of the gateways into Gaza for the IDF. We distributed fresh pastries purchased with money raised by Lucy Levin and Temima Brownstein, two third grade Hillel Torah students, who held a bake sale for Chayalim last week. Our message was simple, “we came to say thank you from the Jewish community of Chicago,” and that, along with the fresh snacks, on this cool rainy day, seemed to warm their hearts.

We learned about the strategic positions in the area and visited many difficult areas such as the site of the Nova festival massacre and scenes of horrific attacks in Re’im.

We ended the day with a visit to Kibbutz Alumim where we heard the story of the heroism of Dvir’s M”P (Company Commander) who commanded the Kibbutz’ Kitat Konenut (Emergency Response Team) that day and saved the lives of all of the town’s Israeli residents in the face of fierce fighting. Sadly, many foreign workers living on the outskirts of the town were killed on October 7 and a number were taken hostage. The day before we left Israel, many of the foreign workers from Alumim were released.

We visited the Chama”l (war room) in Alumim and met with Rafael, principal of the famous Mikve Yisrael school in Tel Aviv, who is serving in Dvir’s unit on miluim (reserve duty). He was manning the command center that day and I happened to notice next to him there was a siddur open to Mincha. On his few hours off, he goes back to his Yeshiva to teach and meet with students and staff after which he comes right back to his post. Click here for a video from the chama”l.

We left the beautiful bookmarks and “shliach mitzvah” packets from the Israel Solidarity Day along with many pictures and letters from Hillel Torah students with Dvir to distribute to his soldiers.

Later that night we met our niece who just finished her army service as a lone soldier and has been volunteering in hospitals lifting the spirits of injured soldiers. And the list goes on and on!

The Theme – ביחד ננצח
Everywhere you go – on highway traffic boards, in stores, and even on Israeli transit apps – you see Israel flags and signs proclaiming ביחד ננצח (together we will be victorious!) and the entire country feels closer and more unified than ever, truly like a family.

While I am still processing what we saw and experienced, I will tell you that while we thought we were coming to provide chizuk and solidarity to the Israelis, I think we came away gaining even more inspiration and encouragement from them.

Though these are difficult times, the strength, unity, and resilience we experienced gave us so much hope. We are an amazing people with an incredible past, an inspiring present, and a bright future ahead. ביחד ננצח, together we shall be victorious!

With prayers for the safe return of all hostages, the success and protection of our precious soldiers, and may Hashem continue to give Am Yisrael the strength to prevail.

Rabbi Menachem Linzer