Corey Gold’s ’14 Gap Year in Israel

How is your gap year going so far?
I'm having a phenomenal time learning at Yeshivat Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem. These last five months have already afforded me countless, priceless opportunities to engage with the Jewish world of ideas, experience the Land of Israel, and make relationships with friends and rebbeim that I'll take with me in the years ahead.

Are you happy with your decision to spend a year in Israel vs. starting college right away?
Without a doubt, a year in Israel was the right decision for me. This year is allowing me the time and freedom to begin to explore questions about my Jewish identity which wouldn't be a priority if I went directly to college. Here, I'm able to recharge and redefine my priorities. I expect this year to help me not only on campus but also throughout the rest of my life.

What are you doing in Israel right now- living, learning, traveling, etc.
My daily learning in yeshiva includes Gemara, Tanakh, machshava (Jewish philosophy), halakha, and more. Orayta's diverse rebbeim, exposing me to an array of unique perspectives, always encourage me to grow on my own terms and pursue my personal learning goals.

This year, I have the privilege of calling the Jewish Quarter my home. Every morning, I retrace the footsteps of Jews who lived here thousands of years ago on my way to the Beit Midrash, housed in a Crusader building about 900 years old. To top it all off, I'm just a 90-second walk from the Kotel. It's unbelievable.

I've also had the privilege to travel with the yeshiva on several tiyulim (trips) around the country. Plus, time off and "out" Shabbatot allow me to experience different communities outside of Jerusalem.

How has BT helped prepare you for life beyond HS?
At BT, my teachers sparked my interest in Jewish living and whetted my appetite for learning. If it weren't for the experiences I had at Beth Tfiloh, I would never have considered spending this year in Israel. Five years ago, before I was at school in Beth Tfiloh, I never could have imagined myself living in Israel, delving into the texts of our tradition, and taking such pride in my Judaism.

How has the BT community helped you even overseas?
Though I don't have any family living in Israel, I have tons of extended Beth Tfiloh family who have welcomed me into their homes already this year. In addition, when my family visited about a month ago, Arky Staiman '09 enthusiastically toured us around Israel, taking us to Masada, Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea. Plus, I'm here with 11 of my friends from the Class of 2014. What could be better?

In what ways are you excited to take this experience back with you to the US? What have you learned being abroad so far?
This year, I have immense opportunity and minimal responsibility: a perfect (unreal) balance conducive to personal growth. I hope to come back more grounded in my Jewish knowledge, ready to advocate for Israel, and prepared for the challenges I'll face in college as a Jew. On campus, I am excited to share what I have learned this year and what I love about Judaism in the hope of inspiring others, too.