The American Dream Fulfilled at a Yeshiva in Jerusalem

When Assaf Lotan, 30, from Katzrin, completed his service as an officer in the Paratroopers, he boarded a plane to New York. "I wanted to live the American Dream," he says. "I was interested in succeeding and making money, and the last thing on my mind was spirituality."

Lotan settled in the "big city" and became a sales manager at a New York advertising agency. "I was appointed to handle the advertising budgets of the city's 'white-collar' professionals. The money was good, and my life revolved around parties, cars, and more. I saw myself staying in America for my entire life. As far as I was concerned, I had given up on life in Israel."

Didn't military service connect you to the land?

"I always thought being Jewish was like being a European or an American citizen. Those who grow up in Israel as secular, live under the illusion that we're a nation like any other, except we suffer more because our economy is bad and we have many enemies. In New York, I was exposed to the fact that there is something about Jews that other nations don't have. You see it clearly there. Most of the wealthy clients I dealt with were surprisingly Jewish. Most of the figures in science, economics, and the arts in the city turned out to be Jewish as well. I had to go to the U.S. to open my eyes. Somehow, we are blind and don't understand the big deal about us, seeking to imitate other nations."

Yet you still returned to faith - how?

"The longer I spent chasing money and pleasures, the more a sense of emptiness and loneliness formed. I began to resent materialism and sought answers. Shortly thereafter, I met a Chabad chassid who shared how Judaism had transformed his life. During that conversation, I was fully materialistic, and even today, I'm not clear how it happened that I blurted out, 'Brother, just so you know, I feel like becoming stronger.' It's like my heart already knew what my mind had yet to grasp. Two days later, he surprised me at my Brooklyn apartment with a pair of *tefillin*, a *tallit*, a prayer book, and holy books: 'I bought this for you as a gift,' he said. I was shocked that a stranger was willing to invest in me like that. He showed me how to put on *tefillin*, and that's how I started praying every morning in my apartment before work. To my surprise, the effect of the *tefillin* was incredible. I began to rise."
 

From a New York Ad Office to Living in Bnei Brak

"About a year before all this, during random browsing, I happened to watch a YouTube video of Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Ben Porat. He spoke about the relations between Jews and Palestinians, and something touched me – even though I was far from Judaism. He spoke from the heart, spoke truth. When I started to strengthen, I remembered him and started checking out what else he had to say. Instead of going out in New York, I'd sit for hours listening to the rabbi's lectures online. At some point, I realized I wasn't where I belonged. My soul had awakened. When I arrived in Israel, I was delighted to discover that Rabbi Ben Porat, whom I knew from YouTube, was also the head of a yeshiva welcoming those wishing to draw closer to Judaism."

No longing for the good life in New York?

On the contrary, I am filled with gratitude to Hashem to this day for pulling me with tweezers towards Him. It's a great kindness. Running in this maze of chasing pleasures and materialism makes it impossible to see. If an external force doesn’t come and open your eyes, you have no chance of getting out. Today I live in Bnei Brak with my new wife and remind myself every day that I am truly a Jew. It's a great gift, not at all taken for granted."

During the introduction of a Torah scroll

"I Got Tired of L.A.'s Nightlife"

Dr. Eli Case, 32, grew up as a typical Los Angeles teenager. "From a young age, I was drawn into the nightlife world," he recalls. "I had connections everywhere, organized parties, didn't lack a thing, as I thought." Later, he developed into the personal physiotherapist of the top ten percent in Beverly Hills. "I treated the 'A-list.' Celebrities, athletes, directors, and all the who's who of Hollywood came to me. But over time, I found the glitzy world no longer impressed me. I sought something deeper. Meaning for my life."

Did you have a connection to tradition from home?

"I was born in Los Angeles to parents who maintained a basic traditional lifestyle. On Friday night, there was *kiddush* followed by television. I studied in public schools, but deep down I greatly respected the Jewish tradition I saw at home. I knew I wanted to continue it; I just didn't know how."

What was the turning point in your life?
"At 21, I decided to attend college in Hawaii. My classmates knew I was Jewish and appointed me president of the "Hillel Club," responsible for Jewish activities on campus. Thus, unintentionally, I became the 'spokesman' for the Jewish world, while personally being quite unfamiliar with it. The position required me to learn more about Judaism, as I had to organize *Chanukah* parties, *Purim* and even *Pesach*."

I later came to Israel on a Birthright trip. I met relatives I hadn't seen in a long time and discovered they were connected to Judaism, which gave me a great feeling that was hard to explain. I told myself I wanted my future family to look like that. During that visit, I understood that if I wanted to instill this tradition in my children, I must be a personal example, and therefore must grow stronger and learn more. I saw what happened in other L.A. families that didn't invest in Jewish education, and their children completely lost the tradition. I didn't want that to happen to mine.

I took on *kashrut* observance, and later, Shabbat observance followed. I was searching for a partner who was also drawing closer to Judaism. During my search, one woman told me the best thing she ever did was study at a seminary in Israel, which changed her life. That gave me the first idea of traveling to a yeshiva in Jerusalem. Today, I can say it was one of the best decisions of my life."

How did the family react?

"In the first few months in Israel, while exploring several yeshivas, my mother passed away. It was not easy for me. I began to say *Kaddish* for her under the guidance of rabbis. I wondered privately what she thought about it. One night, she appeared to me in a dream, looking enthusiastic and happy. She smiled at me proudly and said: 'Keep saying *Kaddish*.' I understood it brought her joy and it strengthened me."

Yeshiva students in joyous moments

"In a Moment of Difficulty, I Looked Up and Spoke with God"

Gabriel Witkin, 26, was a master's student at a university in Seattle, raised in a traditional home. "I always thought there was a God, but I didn't feel His presence in my life. In reality, I sought life's meaning in completely different places, doing a lot of meditation."

"I was in the first year of my master's studies. It was a period when I grew tired of my reality. I wasn't happy, wanted to escape, but couldn't pinpoint why I felt so depressed. At some point, I reached a crisis. I'm not sure why, but in a moment of difficulty, I looked up to the sky and spoke with God. I didn't know how to pray, but I asked Him to show me the right way. It was between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur."

How did the people around you react?

"At first, they didn’t understand what was happening to me. Slowly, I began to draw closer; eventually, I gathered the courage to start wearing a kippah on campus, and later a *tzitzit*. I found myself beginning to imagine life as a Torah scholar, drawing closer to God, and at some point, I just decided to turn the imagination into reality. I decided to take a one-year break from my master's studies. My family was opposed to the idea at first, but when they saw it stemmed from an authentic place, they began to support me. Then I flew to Jerusalem and fell in love with Israel."

How does your day look at the yeshiva?

"I study Talmud, Jewish law, and Jewish philosophy, and I truly enjoy it. I have no worries on my mind, and I can focus on drawing closer to Hashem. The yeshiva provides everything for me: housing, food, a hot shower, and friends to study with. Each day, I also spend time in "*hitbodedut* (isolated meditation). It’s the time of day I look forward to the most because I speak to Hashem and tell Him what happened to me throughout the day. I always tell my friends from the U.S. who call to check on me: There is nothing sweeter than talking to your creator".

Don’t you miss meditations?

"Studying Talmud is the best meditation I’ve ever done."