They went forth from Yeshiva College and the Sy Syms School of Business, they were sent from Stern College and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Over Yeshiva's mid-winter break, from January 13 to the 20, 2002 Yeshiva students, both men and women, embarked on a mission in support of Israel. The participant's message was clear: We stand behind the State of Israel, now and forever.

They made a commitment on paper and a promise in their hearts, to encourage, promote and support the State of Israel, to improve its economy and to keep its future bright in the face of danger from the current Palestinian uprising.

With the motto "lechazeik u'lehitchazeik" -- "To give strength and to be strengthened" - they let their message ring from hilltops of the Golan to the banks of the Red Sea, from the River Jordan, to the salty sand of the Dead Sea. They brought their message, buttressed by the experience of a lifetime back home and it continues to be shouted from Brooklyn to Boston, from Toronto to Teaneck, and from Pittsburg to Pico Boulevard.

Making it Happen

A massive amount of preparation and planning over a short period of time was necessary to construct and deploy Operation Torah Shield II. The success of the mission was the direct result of the unified team that worked on this project, which included dozens of students, members of the Yeshiva administration, the Orthodox Union, the Israel Ministry of Tourism, and the Jewish Agency.

Each individual and organization gave what it could to ultimately result in the successful execution of the trip. Yeshiva Junior and President of the Israel Club Yehuda Shmidman, Student Organization of Yeshiva President Ilan Rosenrauch, Yeshiva Senior Josh Kramer, Stern College Junior Yael Zemelman, Torah Activities Council President Toby Goldfisher, Yeshiva Senior Reuven Brand, Stern College Senior Julie Pianko, and Max Stern Division of Communal Services Youth Coordinator Rabbi Ari Rockoff joined together in organizing what one participant called "the trip of a lifetime."

Bringing Emotional and Financial Support

Every act associated with the trip was tailored with carrying out the specific task outlined by operation organizers. Even before they left the States, participants began to help their Israeli brethren by packing one suitcase with personals, and a second, which, in an initiative dubbed "Project Kesher," contained letters of support from hundreds of people and communities nationwide and were crammed with packages of food, batteries, toiletries, and other essentials to Israeli soldiers deployed in the mission of safeguarding citizens from terrorism.

Toys and games were brought for children throughout the country, many of who have lost parents and siblings in the last seventeen months of Palestinian aggression and terrorism. Dozens of bags filled with used clothing were delivered to local organizations that assist families in need. These gifts were meant to symbolize the concern, care, and solidarity -- in a word, the kesher - felt by the participants for the state and its citizens.

After an emotional sendoff from New York's Kennedy International Airport that featured appearances from Yeshiva President Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and the national media, two hundred student ambassadors took to the air to begin their journey. Arriving in Israel, participants hit the ground running, wasting not a moment. While in Israel, the Yeshiva students traveled throughout the State, particularly to places they felt were in need of assistance or support, places heaviest hit by the waves of terrorism and the social and economic consequences of those acts.

They went to yishuvim, settlements, in Arab-populated areas, bringing words of encouragement to its residents. "I really enjoyed going to the front lines of this war, seeing the settlements," said Sy Syms Junior Brad Cherney. "People don't realize that the people there are real, every day people that simply want to live lives and not cause trouble. The Palestinians will not push settlers off their land, because it is Israel's land, and the Arabs have no right to it, as the Torah clearly shows."

According to Yeshiva College Sophomore David Weinberg, the settlers were more excited about the presence of the Yeshiva students themselves than about any gifts they brought. "They were just happy that we were there visiting them, regardless of whether we brought stuff or not," he explained. "Just the fact that we came, that we showed we care, that we're not afraid, that was all they needed," added another student.

The mission participants also fulfilled the mitzva of bikur cholim, visiting patients at the oncology ward at Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem. A trip to Keren Or, a hospital for blind and mentally challenged children, gave students a renewed perspective on life and the blessing we live with each day. Thinking of the children, the group also spent time at ALYN, a hospital for sick and disabled youth.

Hallowed Ground

Operation Torah Shield took Yeshiva students to places that hold special significance to the Jewish people. Immediately after their arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport, the students traveled to the Kotel to daven Mincha and portions of the Rosh Chodesh service. Gaining inspiration from the setting, the students that came to strengthen begged, "Hashem save us now," only to come two lines further to read, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem." After prayers completed, students gathered to hear words of greeting from Israeli Minister of Tourism Benny Elon.

Throughout the mission, participants were able to decide where to spend much of their time. Some toured the area South of Jerusalem, visiting the territory of Gush and learning of the daily struggles that face its courageous residents as they carry out such tasks and going to school, work and the market.

In Kfar Etzion, a video was shown documenting Gush's original settlers of 1947 and their battles during the War of Independence. "I was extremely proud of the people living there," Yeshiva Sophomore Brahm Weinberg asserted proudly. "I've never met people more dedicated to Israel. There is no question in their minds about where they are supposed to be, and about our collective connection to the land of Israel."

Some students chose to travel to Chevron, touring the Jewish city, that sometimes resembles a city completely under siege protect from all sides by metal and wire fences. Under the guidance of a local resident, Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum, a rebbe at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim, student were shown around the vibrant Jewish community.

From the balcony of Rabbi Hochbaum's house they were able to view the Arab sections of the city from a safe distance. Students also visited small Jewish neighborhoods that are surrounded by hostile Arab villagers and who continue to threaten the physical security of the Jews. Perhaps the oldest continuous threat in the land, danger has loomed in that area since the 1929 pogrom that took place there. They were shown the graves of the victims of that vicious, premeditated attack, a constant and everlasting reminder of the tensions that have pervaded the region for nearly a century.

While in Chevron, students were privileged to daven Mincha at the Maaras Hamachpela, praying to Hashem at one of Judaism's holiest sites. Students struggled to retain the magic and inspiration found in these few fleeting moments at the ancient grave sites of our nations holiest figures. These moments were described by many on the trip as the mission's single most powerful experience.

Toward the conclusion of the service, as the baal tefilla was saying kaddish, Muslim prayers were heard over the loudspeakers of a local mosque. In response, the students increased the fervency and volume of their own prayers, following which Mazer Yeshiva Program Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Herschel Reichman spontaneously led the assemblage in the recitation of Tehillim with emotion that matched and perhaps surpassed that of the Yom Kippur service.

Students who did not to travel to Gush and Chevron embarked upon a different route, traveling to the disputed territory of the Golan Heights, planting trees at the Meot Kedumim nature reserve. They also met with local schools, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hesder in Hispin, and toured strategic areas along the northern border which has served as a boarder and buffer between Israel and its often hostile allies.

Throughout the trip, Yeshiva students were able to visit various yeshivas in Israel, often spending an entire day learning Torah and educating people about the Mission. This related directly to primary concentration of the trip which was not only focused on uplifting Israel and its citizens economically, but on doing so spiritually as well.

The Torah Shield mission spent a substantial amount of time in Jerusalem as well, viewing, among other sites, excavations in the southern wall of the Bais Hamikdash. They were treated to videos that showed the computerized architectural design of how the Holy Temple once looked and to information describing the archeological discoveries in modern times that have given us new insight into the intricacies in the structure of the Temple.

"It was like you were standing in the Bais Hamikdash, looking inside," said Weinberg. "The detail was amazing." Students also toured a great deal of the Old City, including the Muslim quarter. While in the Old City, they visited the house belonging to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who owns it primarily because he believes that the Jewish people have a right to the entire Jerusalem.

Shabbos in Israel

The Shabbos spent in Israel could be characterized by one word: Torah. Divrei Torah flowed like milk and honey, with a total of 9 delivered throughout the day. Rabbi Yigal Lehrer of Merkaz HaRav gave a shiur, while Rabbi Moshe Stav of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, after walking to the hotel from Har Nof delivered a guest sicha at Shalosh Seudos.

Before Mincha, a chabura was given by Rabbi Daniel Feldman, a fellow at the Kollel Elyon of Yeshiva University and a mentor on the trip. Students participating in the Mission also delivered Divrei Torah at each meal -- one from a male student and one from a female student.

Additionally, there was a great deal of dancing, singing, and activities on Friday night, including a tish and an oneg shabbas. "Shabbas was a wonderful, intense experience filled with a tremendous amount of ruchnius," exclaimed Reuven Brand. "The davening, learning, singing and simcha was very uplifting." It was a tremendous way for Yeshiva's students to spend their last full day in Israel on Operation Torah Shield II.

The Mission Continues

Now the participants of Torah Shield are back in the United States, but their responsibility and Mission is not complete. Having signed written pledges, they are obligated to fulfill the requirements of the "Ambassador-in-Training" program, which requires them to speak about the mission and about the importance of the State of Israel and tourism thereto at ten separate engagements.

They received videos of the trip to be shown at those speeches, as well as training on speaking to the media, presenting demographics and information, and various additional techniques to employ in promoting Israel and the importance of tourism. The "ambassadors" will speak at synagogues, NCSY and other youth group events, Jewish Centers, and many other gatherings.

"We all have speaking arrangements, and hopefully they'll be as successful as our trip," said Yeshiva Junior Gabriel Jacobson. "People like to hear firsthand experiences, and that's what we've had. When we discuss Israel with other people, we're a more reliable source, having experienced what everyone is so afraid of."

According to organizer Yehuda Shmidman, Operation Torah Shield II was an outstanding success. "There is no doubt that Israel needs our help now," he explained. "What is therefore so noteworthy about O.T.S. II is that it, in effect, mobilized 200 motivated, passionate students to actively spread the word around America that Israel needs our support, today."

Yeshiva Sophomore Justin Katz felt that the trip made a major change in his outlook and perspective. "Prior to the trip, I never really felt that close to Israel," admitted Katz. "Afterwards, though, I felt much closer, and I feel that I need to show support for the Jewish State like never before."

Although concluding that the trip was successful beyond expectations, Brand stressed that much work remains to be done. "Our direct chizuk for the people lasted one week," he explained, "but now we can continue our support for the people of Israel throughout the year by encouraging people to visit Israel, which will greatly improve their situation by putting bread on the tables of ordinary Israelis."

With the second operation over, the goal remains pressing and unchanged: to protect and support the Jewish people and their State, and remember that the Torah is a vital shield of both.