A
Fan-tisch-tic
Journey
First Tisch of
the
Year
At the boys' first Friday tisch, Student
Council president Doron David ('09) shared
the compelling story of his personal journey.
"There comes a time
in everyone's life in
which a decision must be made- not just any
regular decision, but one that will pave a
path for the rest of your life."
When I was in 7th grade, I experienced the
loss of a loved one who was a very
influential figure in my life. After much
struggle and confusion, I finally found the
one thing that brought me peace -
religion.
Being a newcomer, however, I wasn't yet ready
to attend a Jewish school, so I remained
where I was.
Eager to grow religiously, I
knew I needed to leave public school and
surround myself in a Jewish environment. The
summer before 9th grade I made one of the
best choices of my life: I decided that,
despite my lack of Torah knowledge, I would
attend a Jewish high school. Not knowing how
to write in Hebrew and clueless to what
Gemara and Navi were, I thought that I
wouldn't survive a day.
At first, things were extremely difficult,
but I was determined to be knowledgeable like my
classmates. The rebbeim stood by my
side and pushed me day after day, convinced that
I would make it to the top. At times I would
admit that I was confused but I could never
bring myself to admit that I had no idea how
to daven.
Then I got my wake-up call. One morning in
the middle of 10th grade, I looked around
the room and saw another student, who also
came from a secular background, davening
with such kavanah. It made me realize
that if
he could do it, then so could I. The next
day, I didn't care if it would take me all
morning, but I was going to say all of the
tefillah.
From that moment on, every time I davened I
made sure to say every last word.
Coming into high school, my plans were to
graduate and go straight to college, unlike all
of the other students who would spend a year
in Israel-despite my teachers' attempts
to persuade me to go. When discussing the
topic with my classmates, a good friend of
mine told me that it is one thing to go to
Israel and not like it, but not to go and later
realize that I missed out on the opportunity
of a lifetime- that would forever haunt me.
As I near the end of my high school career,
there is nothing I look more forward to than
spending a year learning in yeshiva in
Israel. After a long four year journey, I
have made
it to the highest Judaic classes and continue
to broaden my knowledge and
understanding of Torah.
I want to take this opportunity to thank
all of my rebbeim and friends who have
stuck by
my side and have helped me get to where I am
today. It really means the world to me.
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