Israeli Tank Commander Takes us Back to Jenin
Leil Yom Hazikaron, Tuesday night, May 6th
On the night of Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day), Lev HaTorah was treated to a firsthand account of war from Israeli tank commander Stewart Schrader, of Beit Shemesh. In 2002, Schrader played a crucial role in the Battle of Jenin, that famous conflict which left so many of our country’s warriors dead. Schrader went into great detail describing the situations, scenes, and sounds of the battle. He emphasized the physical nearness of Jenin to his home, and how at one point during the campaign he even drove home to enjoy a barbecue with his family. The next day, he was back in the line of fire. He gave us a glimpse into the human side of war – the mistakes, the unpredictability, the emotions, the pain, and the questions a soldier asks himself at life’s most trying moments. His words were both refreshing and powerful. click here to listen now

Lev HaTorah Joins Community of Alon Shvut on Israel's Most Solemn Day
Yom Hazikaron, Wednesday, May 7th
Lev HaTorah students began the day of Yom Hazikaron with learning at Yeshivat Har Etzion, in Alon Shvut. After the classes were delivered, Lev joined  the American students of the yeshiva to hear the words of Mrs. Sherryl Mandel, whose son Daniel had been killed in 2003 while involved in a campaign to apprehend infamous Arab terrorists in Shchem. Mrs. Mandel said that she was not only speaking on her own behalf, but on behalf of all the 22,000 bereaved mothers and fathers who have lost children to war in Israel. Despite her irreplaceable loss, Mr. Mandel's belief and support of the IDF is unshakable; and her passion for Eretz Yisrael is an inspiration. She ended her speech with the following observation: (I paraphrase) 'God has commanded me to bear an impossible burden, but I'm taking it one step at a time, and I'm walking with it.'
Afterwards, we accompanied the yeshiva and the entire Alon Shvut family to the memorial service at the community cemetery. Speeches were delivered, songs were sung (such as 'Ani Maamin' and 'Hatikva'), and tears flowed. It was a moment of oneness that will stay with many of us for years to come.

Atop Har Herzl
Yom Hazikaron, Wednesday, May 7th
Yom Hazikaron ended for Lev HaTorah as it should have, at the resting ground of Israel's holy fallen: Har Herzl. Upon arrival, the yeshiva was split into two groups: one led by Rav Cytrin, and one by Rav Boaz Mori. Through their knowledge and charisma, our teachers gave faces and histories to the names on the stones. Many of the fallen soldiers were only 19-years-old when they were killed. We heard the story of Roi Klein, Yoni Netanyahu, the 35 Palmach soldiers and others. Rav Cytrin's group concluded their visit at the newest part of the cemetery, where most of the graves are only a few years old. It is here, at this small slice of the grounds, where the whispers of Israel's long-gone meet up with the wails of the Israel's latest mourners. The cemetery continues into the present, as does the battle for our homeland's existence. We've never really stopped fighting.
The day left us all thinking about sacrifice. We each asked ourself: "What have I given up for my country, my people, and my God?"

Yom Ha’Atzmaut Chagiga
Wednesday night, May 7th
After a day of reflection on what Am Yisrael has lost in its struggle to maintain and build Eretz Yisrael, we switched our attention to all that it has gained in that very effort; and so began Yom Ha'Atzmaut. The day was ushered in with Torah delivered by Rav Mordechai Machlis and Rav Dudi Winkler. Rav Machlis spoke of 'seeing the diamonds all around us' and told us the tale of the Sadigora Rebbe who used to sweep the streets of Jerusalem on Yom Ha'Atzmaut. Rav Dudi spoke of how light has no significance without darkness, and how Kiddush Hashem that emerges from Chillul Hashem can be of an even greater quality. In between speeches, the Tefillah Chagigit was recited along with singing and special chapters of Tehillim for Yom Ha'Atzmaut. Then it was chagiga time.
It was Shlomo Abramson and Company at their finest! We danced and sang up a stormto much of Hallel and the Beis quaked with ruchniut and thanks to Hashem for the gift of Eretz Yisrael, our homeland. After the chagiga, it was on to the delicious Seudat Hodaah (meal of thanksgiving without the Turkey), which we partook of in joy.
After Maariv, a kumZitz (Jewish acne cream) was arranged by a few Lev guys and it grew into quite a happening, as many residents from RBS joined in with them in song at Ayalon Park.

Yom Ha'Atzmaut: Daytime Events
Thursday, May 8th
The day began like any other day: with Shacharit! But this Shacharit was different, because it included an exhilarating Yom Ha'Atzmaut Hallel led by our own Nachman Rosenberg. The day was also filled with some unique Torah, as Rav Kwalwasser gave a special halacha shiur on the topic of  'Creating a Yom Tov.' After our minds and hearts had been delighted, our legs got in on the fun, as Lev HaTorah students and rebbeim (along with their families) went on a short hike through Nachal Dolev, leading to the famed 'bat caves' and 'rock slide' (you slide, the rocks don't). The day of celebration ended at the future site of Lev HaTorah, in Ramat Shilo. We barbecued, played sports, played some more music, and heard a dvar Torah from Rav Asher. Everyone had a great time. It was a beautiful scene and, b'ezrat Hashem, a sign of things to come from the new community. Afterwards, many headed to Rav Fass's house to hear a short but powerful closing thought on the significance of the day and our responsibility going forward. It was a day, we won't soon forget.

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