I came to the academy with the aspiration to strengthen my commitment to Torah, and the academy has helped me achieve that beyond my expectations. I always wanted to be religious, but was lazy about it. Now I am praying three times a day with a minyan.
Letters From A Solider
Shalom Bonny,
I am writing this letter to thank you for your support of the IDF Preparatory Academy in Bet El. My name is Achiya Malul. I am 18 years old, from Dimona – a small city in the Negev desert. I thought that I would tell you a bit about myself, so that maybe one day, when you come to Israel we can meet. I have many interests including dancing, music and art. I love to paint. I have very strong English, almost fluent. I always liked English and even as a little boy, I started learning English by watching cartoons. I spent a few months working in Miami, Florida, and I improved my English there. I even played American Football on a team in Beer Sheva. I came to the academy with the aspiration to strengthen my commitment to Torah, and the academy has helped me achieve that beyond my expectations. I always wanted to be religious, but was lazy about it. Now I am praying three times a day with a minyan. My father is so proud of me. He is a big talmid chacham and obviously always wanted me to learn Torah. Now we can learn together. I wasn’t so keen about serving in the army as a combat solider, but during the war in Gaza, I was in Miami, and watching the war on the news, made me want to join the army and contribute the best I can. The academy is preparing me mentally and physically to sacrifice for the Jewish People. Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Achiya
I think the most important thing that I have learned here is the importance of “delaying gratification.” Before I came to the academy, I never even heard of such a concept. I was living a life of instant gratification. I was introduced to the concept of higher gratification that comes after restraint and toil. I feel great with this new challenge. I feel I have developed a stronger personality.
Dear Bonny,
I would like to introduce myself, for I want to thank you for supporting the IDF Preparatory Academy in Bet El. My name is Adiel. I am 18-years-old, and I am from Dimona in the Negev desert. The academy has been a great help to me already, even though I am only here a few months. I came to strengthen myself spiritually and to build myself for the army. I was not religious, but I was always interested in hearing about Judaism. Now I go to all the prayer services, and I learn Torah. I think the most important thing that I have learned here is the importance of “delaying gratification.” Before I came to the academy, I never even heard of such a concept. I was living a life of instant gratification. I was introduced to the concept of higher gratification that comes after restraint and toil. I feel great with this new challenge. I feel I have developed a stronger personality. I work very hard now on strengthening myself mentally and physically. I have so much to accomplish in my life. My first task when I finish the academy will be to be the best soldier that I can. So again, thank you for your support, and I hope we will meet one day.
Sincerely,
Adiel Pinker
I make a conscious effort to keep things in perspective when I get burned out. It is easy to get stuck in the daily grind, but if you think about all the distance you have covered, and what lies ahead, it is much easier to feel motivated and optimistic.
Shalom Bonny,
My name is Atika Chany. I am a student in the IDF Preparatory Academy in Bet El. I have come a long way since my family emigrated from Ethiopia when I was 11-years-old. Now, I am learning Torah full time, and it is a rewarding experience. We have interesting classes in Talmud, Bible and Jewish philosophy. I can honestly say now that I love to learn and don’t miss a class. The academy has helped me greatly, even though I have only been here for a few months.
I can honestly say now that I love to learn and don’t miss a class. The academy has helped me greatly, even though I have only been here for a few months
I was so shy when I came here, but now, for the first time in my life, I seem to have overcome my shyness. I have made many friends here, good friends that I hope to be in contact with even after we finish the year at the academy. I pray three times a day. I keep all the mitzvot. I would recommend this academy to anyone who wants to strengthen his commitment to Torah and the Land of Israel. Thank you for making this opportunity available to me. It has impacted me like nothing before in my life.
Sincerely,
Atika
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