Montreal Seminary Returns from Memorable Trip to Israel

By Rochel Ceitlin

Eretz Yisrael is the land we’ve heard and learned so much about all our lives. It’s the land promised to our forefathers, the land which our ancestors wandered for forty years before being allowed to enter, the land countless Jews, over centuries, have risked so much to travel to, and the land thousands of our brethren have given their lives to fight for and protect.

I had the privilege of joining the sem alef trip as part of sem beis, and I’m immensely grateful for the incredible opportunity. Every moment was filled with inspiration and deepened our love for the land. “Being in Israel for the first time is like a physical, mental and spiritual awakening. The history, the purpose and meaning of your life all comes together. Sometimes it’s so hard to even process it because you feel like you’re visiting a regular modern country but then all at once it hits you that you’re walking on holy and ancient ground that carries so much history and meaning with it.” (Chaya Pinto) “One of the most inspiring ideas that affected me was walking around the land and realizing that all of it is ours. From the day we were born the land was ours. It was given to us by our forefathers, and it has never left us.” (Anonymous)

We spent the majority of our first day in Tzfas, and it was an incredible experience. “Davening the Arizal’s nusach, with his holy kavanos, hundreds of years later, right next to his grave, felt extremely powerful. Additionally, the setting was perfect: not a sound, peaceful, birds chirping, overlooking the mountains. It was very powerful.” (Nechama Lison) Along with visiting his kever and the beis hachaim, we had the chance to see the Arizal’s Mikvah, shul, and the Artists’ Quarter. Walking the hilly streets of the holy city, we met Rabbi Weinberg, who took the time to tell us a bit more about the history of Tzfas. “He stopped his busy schedule to give his “sisters” some inspiration to start our day off.” (Ceita Shur)

Later, we went to the kvarim of the Rashbi in Meron and the Rambam and several others in Teveria. “Visiting holy sites gave me the ability to recenter and think of what’s really important.” (Shaina Muller). Being in the presence of their physical kvarim, as well as walking the streets that these great people walked and seeing the shuls they davened in, made the stories we’ve heard all our lives come to life before our eyes.

As someone who’s fascinated by ancient history, walking through the ruins at Masada was among my personal highlights. Not only were the ruins and their history fascinating, but seeing a Chabad sofer sitting there daily in the heat, writing a Sefer Torah in the same spot a shul stood centuries ago, was incredibly inspiring. “He is a prime example of what it means to feel close to family, even when you’ve never met them. Day after day, he sits in the heat up on that historic mountain top writing Sifrei Torah with Yidden in mind that he barely knows. All he needs is a name and he feels a connection to his brother or sister. Why does he do it? Because he loves his family.” (Ceita Shur)

In addition to getting a good physical workout from Ein Gedi, we got to view firsthand the incredible landscapes of our holy land, as well as walk the ground where David Hamelech hid from Shaul so many years ago. “The hiking was so fun and energizing, [and we got to experience both] the spiritual and physical beauty of Eretz Yisrael.” (Anonymous) The hike allowed the beautiful land and views to be appreciated on another level. Afterwards, we got to cool off in the Yam Hamelach, “immersing ourselves in [its] waters, feeling its healing power.” (Chana Pshenychna)

Starting off another day in Eretz Hakodesh by being able to provide in a small way for the people giving their lives to protect the land was very meaningful. “[It] especially made me realize the importance of unity and ahavas yisroel. Knowing that each action is for a purpose and has a reason is such an empowering feeling.” (Chaya Pinto) “Cooking food for the chayalim [gave us] a chance to express gratitude to those who protect this land.” (Chana Pshenychna) Later, we explored more of the land while jeeping on Derech Haavot with Shalom, who, “not only gave us the most incredible time jeeping, [but] he also shared so much knowledge, Torah, and history with us, making our trip most memorable.” (Ceita Shur).

We started Erev Shabbos by visiting Shaarei Tzedek Hospital to brighten the spirits of patients there. But, this being Eretz Yisrael, we were not the only ones. “A group of five or six women were already at the entrance to the emergency room, playing guitar, cello, tambourines and more. A group of costumed men were dancing their way through the hallway playing lively music, bringing smiles to everyone there.” (Ceita Shur) Although similar occurrences may be found elsewhere, here they are simply part of the fabric of everyday life.

Visiting Shuk Machaneh Yehudah on Erev Shabbos is bound to be one of the most intensely Israeli things you can experience. The space is filled with hundreds of customers doing their last-minute Shabbos shopping, dozens of vendors trying to sell their wares within mere feet of each other, and, of course, many tourists getting caught underfoot.

This was contrasted nicely with the calm of the Tzemach Tzedek shul, where we davened Mincha and bentched Shabbos licht before heading to the Kosel. “Everything about the trip was special, but specifically Friday night at the Kosel.” (Rosie Krasnanski) Words cannot accurately convey the feeling of such a holy place, nor can I accurately describe what it was like visiting this holy site—the last remnant of the surrounding structure of the Beis Hamikdash—where Jews have davened, pleaded, and shed countless tears for centuries, for the first time. The achdus and connection to all present was practically palpable. “It’s a feeling that can’t be explained in a few words, but it was one of serenity, peace, and completion. And when we had so many different types of Jews singing together, it made me realize even more how happy and lucky I am to be part of this beautiful nation.” (Sara Cujic) “Visiting the Kosel for the first time ever felt like a beautiful neshama reunion. This is where we belong.” (Nechama Lison) “It was magical—the glow of the candles, the melody of tefilos, voices united in song. The atmosphere was filled with holiness and joy—an overwhelming sense of closeness to the Creator.” (Chana Pshenychna) “The kosel was breathtakingly beautiful. It was something I didn’t realize I needed so badly and now I wish I can be back.” (Anonymous)

After a beautiful and relaxing Shabbos, and a Motzei Shabbos in Ben Yehuda, we had the opportunity to work with the physical land of Eretz Yisrael by volunteering in a vineyard near Beit Shemesh. “It was such a beautiful and special feeling to be helping others, knowing that you are helping other Jews through this time of war. It made me really feel the love and care Jews have for one another and that no matter what hardships we face, when we help each other, we can get through it.” (Sara Cujic)

Next, we stopped at Kfar Chabad, where Rabbi Latar took us around, bringing us to the 770 and explaining its history, showing us the beautiful Hamerkozi shul, the local Mikva, the matzah bakery and the esrog orchard.

In Tel Aviv, we walked through Hostage Square, where we spoke to a few of the advocates. “Going to the hostage square gave me a wake-up call to the pain that is around us, and the empathy we should have, no matter how we decide to lead our lives.” (Shaina Muller). “[It] was chock full of information, and it was very inspiring how everyone knew that we are together in all of this.” (Anonymous)

We began another day by volunteering once again, this time for Chasdei Enosh, an organization that gives work to those with mental illnesses. “Volunteering made me realize I want a life that is dedicated to helping others, one that is centered on giving.” (Shaina Muller) We then had a tour of the old city and Ir David with Meirav. Learning more about the ancient history of Yerushalayim and seeing physical relics of another time with our own eyes was incredible. We also got to explore the ancient tunnels beneath the city, like Warren’s Shaft and Chizkiahu’s Tunnel and learned how and for what it was used in ancient times.

We spent our last day in Eretz Yisrael visiting several holy sites. First, we went to Kever Rochel, where we davened shacharis, before meeting up with Rabbi Helinger who started off our tour of Chevron by taking us to Mearas Hamachpela. Visiting these holy places was incredibly moving. Not only are these the holy people whose stories we’ve heard countless times and learned so much about, but these are our parents, and it felt as though they were welcoming us home. We got to see much of Chevron, including the Avraham Avinu shul, the first Chabad shul in Eretz Hakodesh, the kever of Menucha Rochel Slonim and the kvarim of Rus and Yishai. Saying Tehillim at the burial site of David Hamelech’s immediate ancestors was truly special, as it allowed us to feel a tangible connection to the roots of his legacy and the long chain of Jewish history.

On our trip home, we ended up having an unexpected detour in Paris, where our chaperones worked efficiently to not only arrange accommodations for our overnight stay, but also show us around the beautiful city. “[It] was so exciting going to the places I’ve always heard so much about, like Pletzel and the Eiffel Tower.” (Anonymous) We got to taste some classic French pastries, see the shul where three of our Rebbeim—including our Rebbe—davened while they stayed in Paris, and visit the Eiffel Tower.

This trip was truly above and beyond anything I could’ve expected, and it’s all thanks to our wonderful staff, whether it’s our chaperones and madrichas who joined us on our trip, who were “a crucial part of making this trip as great as it is. Baruch Hashem, we got matched with the perfect ones; I couldn’t have thought of a better fit,” (Rosie Krasnanski) or those who stayed back in Montreal, working behind the scenes. “Everyone’s contributions to this trip were really felt. Every aspect of the trip was planned so perfectly.” (Anonymous). “I’m really grateful for the trip and for the way it was organized. There was a sense of great preparation and responsibility [in regards to] timing, buses, and various small details. It felt like every single person on the staff sincerely wanted to give us the best trip, and they succeeded.” (Dvora Sominski)

The entirety of this trip was an absolutely amazing experience, and I’m very lucky to have been able to join. “I learned about myself that I absolutely love this land, the people, the places, and the holiness. It really feels like, [because] you’re a Jew, you belong. This is your home, no questions asked.” (Nechama Lison) “I think it’s so important for Jewish youth to visit Israel and see its history, beauty and culture, for every Jewish person to understand the deep [connection] they have with the land, especially because right now the world is trying to sever our connection with it.” (Chaya Pinto) “I think this trip helped our group bond. Now we have a lot of positive common memories.” (Dvora Sominski) All in all this trip far exceeded my expectations; it really gave me a deeper love and appreciation for our land and the people who live there.

For more about the seminary, visit chayamushkaseminary.com