Starting anything new is challenging. Whether it’s a new job, a new school, a new career, or even a new haircut, transitions aren’t always smooth. For this year’s current crop of graduates, the Class of 2024, we’ll all be starting something new, something challenging, and hopefully, something inspiring.
Some will go straight to college, others may enter the workforce, and still other Jewish teens will be embarking on their year in Israel, hence this new column.
A year in Israel can look different to different people. There are those attending Bar Ilan or other universities, soldiers being drafted into the IDF, those starting their Sheirut Leumi, and the guys and girls who opt to go to yeshiva or seminary. No path is easy, but all have the potential for an exceptional year.
This year, especially, preparing for the journey ahead is particularly hard for students and parents alike. What will a year in Israel look like when we’re starting it in the middle of a war?
And though countless students have been grappling with this same issue for most of the last year, starting off your year with the knowledge that you’re entering a war zone presents other challenges, some of which have prevented several students from embarking on their “year abroad” altogether. There are also separate concerns that have to do with the transition in general. For many students, this is the first time they are leaving home for an extended period of time, especially so far away—halfway across the world—which presents its own challenges. What will it be like to start a new school year in a new place, speaking a different language, without the safety net of home to catch you if you fall?
Additionally, there are expectations for the year to think about. Many have hopes for personal growth and transformation during this valuable year abroad. These hopes and aspirations can be anything from learning more about the country’s history and culture to experiencing spiritual growth from intellectual pursuits and exploring historical Jewish landmarks.
Everyone sets their own expectations for the year ahead, for which they must prepare. For many, it’s just simply going back to school again or the physical and mental exhaustion of being in the army. These preparations are there to ensure your year is the best it can be.
So, wherever you’re headed next year, make the most of it. And may Hashem be with you on your journey and help you grow in the best way for you. Hatzlachah Raba! n
Esther Gaon is a graduate of HAFTR and a recipient of the 2024 5TJT Student Journalism Award.