Translated by Hillel Fendel
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| Michal (third from left) and her family |
A. I grew up in Or Akiva, between Tel Aviv and Haifa, not on the Mediterranean coast but just off it. I had a fun childhood. My parents immigrated to Israel from Libya, and I'm the youngest of eight children. My father was a public official – at different points he was the mayor of Or Akiva and the head of the Religious Council – and my mother supported him from behind. Our home was a true home of kindness, although I believe that the true greatness of my parents was that the kindness took place in the home as well.
My father's "thing" was to try to get families out of the poverty cycle. He would often identify a talent or ability in a child, and then send him to study in high school or college or wherever that would help him develop that skill. He would find him scholarships, and then the student would develop a profession, thus sweeping along with him the entire family. He tried hard to help people who "fell off" and get them honorable jobs so that they would not return to crime. He also focused his efforts on parents of large families.
For high school, I learned in the Kfar Pines Ulpanah, and then did National Service in the school in which I had studied. I learned computers, and later education, and I was a counselor in the English program of Machon Orah in Jerusalem. I also ran the students' dorms in Emunah College. And then I married my husband Sha'ul – and tonight is our 25th anniversary!
Q. Mazel tov! Tell me, how did your connection with Bet El begin?
A. It started with my husband. His brother and wife lived here after they got married, and my husband came to visit and really liked it here. And so we found ourselves as a young couple beginning our lives in a neighborhood of caravans [mobile homes without wheels], precisely where the Bnei Tzvi Yeshiva High School stands today. We then moved to another caravan in the Vadi neighborhood. And finally, after 14 years of living in caravans, with G-d's help we were able to buy a real apartment, here in the David Neighborhood of Bet El. I want to note that our years of living in caravans is something that we all remember fondly; the family atmosphere and the friendship there is something unforgettable.
And then, when we moved into the apartment, we had about 80 people (!) at our home-dedication ceremony; everyone was simply really happy for us.
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| "Good Deeds Corner" at the Bnei Tzvi Yeshiva High School |
A. This is my ninth year here, and I am the "house mother." I worry about the students' physical well-being, including cleanliness and order, and if they are not feeling well, and more. We try to be the "parents' eyes" in their absence, to notice the changes that they are undergoing, and also to "spoil" them a little.
Q. What do you like best about the job?
A. I love the personal relationships that develop, and I enjoy seeing them growing and maturing. These are very significant years, and therefore the changes are significant. There are over 200 students here, from all over Israel, and what characterizes them all is the desire to grow joyfully in Torah. The study of Torah is primary here, while at the same time they pass matriculation exams on a high level. There is also a wide variety of social activities, close relations with the teachers and staff, and a good rapport between the different grade levels. It's truly a fine yeshiva to grow up in, especially during these very important years.
Q. Where is your husband from?
A. My husband made Aliyah about 30 years ago from Uzbekistan, before the gates of the former USSR officially opened, but when it was getting somewhat easier to leave. He has quite a story of how he became religious; it was a long process. His family knew barely anything about Judaism, other than eating matzah on Pesach (together with bread), Chanukah gelt, and fasting on Yom Kippur, when they would go to synagogue to find a Jewish bride. It was understood that they absolutely had to marry a Jew, because otherwise their spouse would call them "Zhid." This explanation did not suffice for Sha'ul, so he tried to find out more about Judaism. He would listen to the Voice of Israel in Russian, which broadcast every two hours at night, but the government would generally add all sorts of noises that made it very hard to hear. One night he felt a real need to listen, so he tuned in at 7 PM, and then again at 9, and then again at 11 – but he couldn't hear at all. Finally he gave up in frustration. But he couldn't fall asleep, so he tried again at 3 AM – and to his surprise, it worked! He heard nursery children singing Chanukah songs, and he was so moved and excited that he began to cry! He said later that he began to pray, without even knowing to whom, that he would one day have children who would sing these songs... He even tried to make his own tefillin, but of course he was missing some basic knowledge... Somehow he met up with a refusenik who taught him some basic laws of Judaism, and he began to be observant. In 1989 he submitted a request to immigrate to Israel – and since President Reagan was visiting the USSR, it was decided to make a nice gesture and allow some Jews to leave for Israel. And so he arrived in Israel at age 24... He learned in Yeshivat Or Same'ach for eight years. After a few ups and downs, he began studies to become a male nurse, and now he works in the Shaarei Zedek hospital in Jerusalem. He sees his work in helping people as a true mission.
Q. And now tell me about your children.
A. Our oldest, Yisrael Meir, learned in Bnei Tzvi Yeshiva until a half-year ago, and now he is a soldier in the Netzach Yehuda brigade. Our oldest daughter Odelia learned here in Ulpanat Ta'ir, did National Service for two years, and now wants to study physical therapy. Bracha finished her National Service, and is now learning management and human resources. Menachem Tzion is in Yeshiva. Our two youngest, Esther and Yitzchak Rachamim, are in school here in Bet El. Thank G-d we have much pleasure from them.
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| Michal's husband and children enjoying the rare snow in Bet El |
A. I was once privileged to be a counselor for English speaking girls, and through them I saw the truth of the Talmudic teaching that "the Land of Israel is acquired with tribulations." But what I also saw was how great and beautiful a gift is the Land of Israel – also through my husband and his family, who made Aliyah from the former USSR and today, thank G-d, have merited to bring up the next beautiful generation of Torah Jews here. I learned to truly value the fact that I was born here, and not to take it for granted. And perhaps most important is the very Zionist home I grew up in, that imbued me with love for the Land and for every Jew, wherever he is.