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Jake Benyowitz: Getting spiritual in Israel is top priority

Jake Benyowitz has a deep love for Israel, and he’s made spreading that appreciation for the Jewish state to other students at Shalhevet High School a top priority.
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June 9, 2016

JAKE BENYOWITZ, 18
HIGH SCHOOL: Shalhevet High School
GAP YEAR: Yeshivat Lev HaTorah, Israel
GOING TO: Yeshiva University

Jake Benyowitz has a deep love for Israel, and he’s made spreading that appreciation for the Jewish state to other students at Shalhevet High School a top priority.

“Israel’s always been important to me,” he said. “My obligation is to advocate for Jews around the world. Israel brings every Jew together, whether they’re Conservative, Reform or Orthodox.”

The 18-year-old Pico-Robertson resident, who graduated June 5, was a leader of the Firehawks 4 Israel club at school, bringing in leaders of pro-Israel organizations, Israel Defense Forces soldiers and members of the Knesset to speak to students. Principal Noam Weissman said Jake got more than 80 of his peers involved in the club.

In February 2015, Jake invited Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles David Siegel to speak about Israeli settlements, the Israeli government’s political landscape, and water partnerships between California and Israel. After meeting and collaborating, Siegel said, “It has been a joy to work with Jake. He approached every project we did together with an exceptional standard of excellence and responsibility.” 

At the end of this school year, Jake, along with the rest of the students in the senior class, went to Poland and Israel to learn about Jewish life there pre- and post-Holocaust. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “It was a life-changing experience.” 

During the trip, the group heard about the anti-Semitism in Europe, and how Jews were not comfortable walking around in kippot. Jake said it made him appreciate the fact that he could do that in L.A., and that going from the European environment to Israel, where Jews can feel more at ease, was amazing. 

Jake is now home for the summer, but he plans to return to Israel in September to study for a year at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah in Ramat Beit Shemesh. “I just wanted to take a year off to grow spiritually,” he said. 

Along with the chance to study Torah, Jake also is happy about the opportunity to be part of Israeli society. “Where else in the world can you walk around on the street and see Jews that are religious and secular? It’s the most incredible thing. There’s the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem, and then there’s the north, where it’s calm but unbelievable.”   

After his time in Israel comes to an end, Jake plans to attend Yeshiva University in New York City and to major in political science. Looking further ahead, he said he wants to do something that “teaches the young people to care about Israel. Maybe I’ll work for a nonprofit.” 

Jake also sings in Shalhevet’s a cappella group, the Choirhawks. He does beatboxing and mimics the sound of percussion instruments using his voice for the songs they perform. 

Since ninth grade, he’s also been volunteering for Yachad Outreach Center, an organization that promotes inclusion for Jewish children and adults with disabilities. One of Jake’s closest friends has Down syndrome, and helping those in need gives him the chance to do tikkun olam (repair the world), he said.  

“You go there to make an effort and include them,” he said. “You’re doing a chessed (kindness) by repairing the world and making it a better place.”  

Weissman called Jake “one of the most authentic and simply good people I have ever met. His genuine love for the Jewish people is going to make a huge difference for the Jewish world moving forward.”

When Jake graduated from Shalhevet, he said goodbye to his teachers, friends, club members at Firehawks 4 Israel, and fellow Choirhawks. He said, “I’m sad to leave my family, but I’m excited to move on to the next chapter.”

And Israel, where he feels connected to the country and the people, is the perfect place to take that next step. “Any Jew is welcome, and we can all walk around there and be comfortable,” he said. “It feels like home.” 

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