Journey of Strength and Resilience
By: Yaniv BlumIn the midst of the challenging days of war, the National Leadership Center (NLC) offers a beacon of hope and comfort. Recently, we had the privilege of hosting two groups of over 100 teachers from schools in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. The groups who visited us found solace in their shared experiences, leaving with a renewed sense of joy that shines in their eyes and echoes in their words after they depart.
At the end of their activities, I asked each group what they were taking away from the day. One teacher expressed that, above all, the day was a welcome break from reality. He went on to say that one of the most powerful takeaways was the deep camaraderie that emerged among the teachers—a bond that often gets lost in the rush of daily routines.
For this particular school, the war has hit close to home. Several of their alumni have fallen, and out of 120 teachers, 40 were called to reserve duty. The weight of their experiences made the time spent together even more meaningful.
Another teacher emphasized the value of the collaboration they experienced at the NLC. In their everyday lives, they are consumed by their schedules—rushing through hallways, managing tasks, and meeting deadlines. But here in Ariel, they found what the teacher described as "the glue" that held them together, allowing them to reconnect and operate as a team.
A third teacher shared his poignant story: just two weeks before coming to the NLC, he had been on reserve duty, deployed in Gaza. The shift from the intensity of the frontlines to the demands of family life and the classroom was overwhelming. He said the day at the NLC gave him and his colleagues a rare chance to breathe—to find courage, strength, and renewal.
Another teacher echoed these sentiments, commenting on both their day in Ariel and their role as educators: “We do what we can; the rest is up to G-d.”
One of the most inspiring moments of the day came from a teacher who struggled with the physical challenges of the low-ropes course. Despite his initial doubts and hesitation, he pushed through his discomfort. In the end, he left with a profound sense of accomplishment, having stepped out of his comfort zone and succeeded.
The second group was made up of female teachers. One of them remarked how the group’s collective strength inspired and pushed each one to participate, persevere, and succeed. Together, we reflected on the journey of Abraham and the significance of the verse "Lech Lecha" ("Go!"), which speaks of an inner journey of growth and self-discovery. The teachers shared how, over the past year, they had embarked on their own personal journeys amid the war—balancing their roles as professionals, wives, and mothers while their spouses were called to reserve duty.
During one activity, a trainer mentioned, "One of the best things about Ariel is that there are no sirens here." But the next day, sirens did sound in Ariel, followed by the echoes of explosions across the Samaria and Ephraim hills. While these sounds can be terrifying, they also fostered a deeper sense of solidarity. In those brief moments, we had a glimpse of what our brothers and sisters in the north and south of Israel have been enduring for so long.
May we merit to continue educating in peace and tranquility, and may our sons and daughters return safely to their borders, soon.
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded,’ says the LORD, ‘And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the LORD, that your children shall come back to their own border.’”
