The Journey of Ohad Rosenfeld: From Tsunami Survivor to Spiritual Seeker

"I've been through a lot in my life," says Ohad Rosenfeld, who today defines himself as a scholar, though his past reflects a life of travel and cultural exploration. "I grew up in Yokneam Illit, in a leftist society," he shares about his early life. "I was a good kid, an average student, growing up with a brother and living a pretty ordinary life. Yet, I was always interested in spirituality beyond the norm and was very sincere. I remember questioning my father about the honesty of a prime minister I saw on TV, noticing his lies even as a young child. Justice and truth didn't seem to align with my reality while growing up, despite the constant reminders from those around me that 'this is life.' I hoped for something more genuine."

Despite having a synagogue nearby, Ohad never found the appeal. "It seemed like a boring place for old people. We'd hang out outside on Yom Kippur, cracking seeds, feeling sorry for those inside," he recalls. "Judaism didn't attract me. Even during a Shabbat visit to a religious family, I felt no spark."

Joy Mixed With Emptiness

When draft time came, Ohad hesitated about joining the army, ultimately persuaded by his brother: "It's an experience for life," he suggested. Ohad joined a combat unit in the IDF for reasons that had more to do with pride than ideology. "I wanted to prove my superiority. Once I reached a senior position, I felt done."

After the army, Ohad took on organizing parties and events, then flew to India once he saved enough money. "I felt trapped by the structure of life in Israel and wanted escape and fulfillment. In India, I rented a 350cc motorcycle and explored as far away from familiar things, even avoiding fellow Israelis," he explains.

Did it bring you happiness?

"Sure, there were fun times, feeling disconnected, but inside I felt a great emptiness."

The Miracle of Tsunami Survival

Ohad learned meditation in India, hoping it would provide inner peace. After six months, he traveled to Sri Lanka to renew his visa, arriving just before the devastating 2004 tsunami along the Indian Ocean, witnessing the disaster firsthand. "I stayed at a beachside hotel until, just days before the tsunami, I inexplicably moved to a cabin near the railway tracks. On the day it hit, I woke late for my usual surfing. Suddenly I heard a loud 'boom' as the waters rapidly rose. People screamed and ran, covered in blood."

"While everyone fled, I wanted to get closer to the beach," he recalls. "I wanted to help," he states simply, recognizing the Jewish moral compassion absent in the local law enforcement's actions during the chaos.

By the Spring

Despite the tragedy, Ohad continued his travels, returning to India before a brief trip to Israel, resuming his quest for solitude. Visiting countries like Belgium and England, he delved deeper into meditation and self-reflection. Discovering shiatsu and massage, he returned to Jerusalem to learn, but rather than settling, Ohad lived by the Ain Sarig spring near Ein Kerem, offering treatments to visitors.

"I met many fascinating people, including a religious Jew who introduced me to the practice of tefillin. This was my first experience, leading to joining community prayers in Ein Kerem," he shares. "I found joy in it. Mornings began with tefillin by the spring, leading me through prayer and many enlightening encounters. With hindsight from my travels, I realized the genuine truth I sought was in Judaism, unlike the paths I had seen. In this life, among the devout in Jerusalem, I found the lifestyle I aspired to, prompting my transformation."

Ohad outside the Chinese medicine clinic in Kiryat Tivon

The Mission: A School for Baalei Teshuva Children

Ohad is a changed man now, residing in Kiryat Tivon, part of a community of returnees to religious observance, fathering three children, and spending much of his day learning at Kol Hatorah in Migdal HaEmek. Professionally, he runs a clinic offering Chinese medicine and herbal treatments, grounded in the studies he completed abroad and in Jerusalem.

He's also involved in establishing a school for children of baalei teshuva, driven by the crucial need for an educational environment that embraces them with love and spirituality beyond academic knowledge. Opening two years ago with just four pupils, enrollment has grown, with plans for expansion. Despite financial challenges, efforts continue to enrich this nurturing institution, guided by faith for a hopeful future.