This past week, the YTC Senior class returned from their class trip to Eretz Yisroel. The 12th grade spent eight days learning, visiting gedolim, touring and experiencing much of what Eretz Yisroel has to offer. The Seniors were accomplanied by Rabbi Avraham Goldman, Maggid Shiur in our Bais Medrash division, Zichron Ezra, and 11th grade Rebbe, Rabbi Dovid May.

YTC 12th grader Yaacov Entin remarked, "It was a tremendous privilege to visit Eretz Yisroel. For much of our history it was so very difficult to visit. It was a huge zchus to be there."

"To stand in the very same place Avrohom Avinu stood is amazing! It really helps one gain an additional level of emunah, " said participant Dovid Kalman Niman.

While in Eretz Yisroel, the seniors were able to meet HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Leib Shteinman, Rosh HaYeshiva of the Ponovezh Litze'irim Yeshiva. Twelfth-grader Shmuel Weinfeld remarked, "While in Eretz Yisroel, one realizes that (life) is all about Torah and Mitzvos. People make excuses, it is too hot to learn, too cold, I'm too uncomfortable. We have so many obstacles to Torah. We can learn from the way the Gedolim live, that even without comforts, we can still learn and increase our connection to Hashem."

For many bochurim, it was their first time in Israel, and one of the most inspiring parts of the trip was a visit to the Kosel HaMa'aravi. "We stood in the closest place one can to the makom of the Kodesh HaKedoshim, the holiest place on earth. We could actually feel the Kedusha as we stood together as a class and said Tehillim. It was truly amazing!" said Eli Heiney.

Trip chaperone Rabbi Avraham Goldman remarked on the achdus he saw amongst the group, "The Zohar says that in the days of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zachai, Torah flourished due to the love that the talmidim felt for each other, and for their Rabbeim. In this group as well, their Torah is flourishing due to the care, concern, and commitment I see that they have for each other and their Rabbeim."

A tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to all those who helped out and made this trip possible, including all those who donated to our Annual Learnathon in February, as well as CAJE / Miami for subsidizing a portion of the cost of the trip. The duration of the trip may have been less than two weeks, but its awesome effect will remain with the talmidim for many years to come.