I have the privilege of spending my summer on NCSY Kollel, a post-10th grade program in Israel. It has been an incredibly meaningful and fun summer as I learn, hang out and play ball with friends and madrichim.

We recently went to Sderot to hear some heroic stories from the October 7 attacks and uplift the members of the community. We heard someone tell their personal story of the morning of October 7 and watched a mini movie showing footage of the tragic morning and the bravery and heroism of the people of Sderot. After that, everyone headed to a local mall to have fun while supporting the local economy. At the end of the day, everyone gathered in the Hesder Yeshiva of Sderot to enjoy dinner and hear inspiring divrei Torah from Rav Fendel, the rosh yeshiva. The highlight of the day was when everyone gathered on the roof after dinner, where we saw a menorah made from Kassam rockets fired from neighboring Gaza. It really resonated with me, standing together hanging out on the roof overseeing Gaza, showing how Am Yisrael does not falter in the face of its enemies.

Overall, it was important to visit Sderot to learn more about the tragedy that occurred there and to uplift the people and the town. While we went to inspire and bring chizuk to the members of the Sderot community, we all left tremendously moved and inspired.

Jack Nordlicht, 15, is an NCSY Kollel participant.