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Explore the Promised Land: Gaza Border Reopens After Tragic Hamas Attack at Jewish Seminary in Israel

It’s a fateful day for thousands of Jewish students in Israel as TheKfar Haro’eh Seminary, situated on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, has recently reopened its doors following a deadly terrorist attack in May 2019.

The attack, alleged to have been perpetrated by Hamas militants, claimed the lives of two rabbis and a security guard. The seminary had been closed since the horrific incident, which shook the world and was condemned by various international leaders.

As the seminary reopened, emotions ran high as students lined up outside, embracing and greeting each other with excited smiles. It was a bittersweet moment, remembered by the students as the student council president said in a statement, ‘’This tragedy has touched each of us, no doubt, but it is time to overcome this sorrow and look to the future with hope.’’

Seminary director, Rav Yoel Bin-Nun expressed his excitement stating that the institution will be reopening with an updated and improved security system. The campus will now include enhanced security cameras, walls that are reinforced against bullets and bombs, and an armed guard on-site. The students will also be accompanied by an armed security detail during field trips or similar outings.

Rav Bin-Nun commented on the somber reopening day, ‘’We are so excited to welcome the students back and to have them enjoy all that this wonderful seminary has to offer. But we also remember with anguish, the lives of those who were lost at our site. We will always remember them and honor their memories in our hearts and lives.’’

The school will offer 12 different certificate programs for the students to choose from, with subjects ranging from Jewish Studies and Torah to psychology and computer science.

The reopening is seen as a sign of resilience by many, standing in defiance to those who intend to hurt innocents. The students and faculty shared a symbolic unity march around the seminary grounds, singing and waving Israeli flags in what will certainly be something they will never forget.