Two years ago, the global Jewish community recoiled in horror when news spread that eight young men were murdered in cold blood while learning Torah at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav in Jerusalem. The attack was carefully planned and ruthlessly executed, and the murderers of these eight students sent a clear message to the Jewish people and the world: This was not an attack on individual Jews, nor was it a mere political statement; rather, this was an attack on the heart and soul of the Jewish nation, an attack against Torah itself.
Answering the deafening call of this tragedy, a new organization known as “B’Lev Echad” was established for the purpose of commemorating the eight tender martyrs by encouraging Jews around the world to strengthen their commitment to Torah study and mitzvah observance. “Jews are always pained when our brothers and sisters are murdered in Israel, but these murders struck a particularly anguished chord because of the victims’ ages and “occupations” as bochrim learning in yeshiva,” said Jenni Richton, NCSY Associate Director of Special Projects. “This tragedy – the murder of teenagers while engaged in Torah study – took on profound significance for the staff and teens of NCSY and it was both natural and necessary that NCSY should get involved in commemorating this tragic event. B’Lev Echad was excited by NCSY’s offer to work with them because of our deep, long-term commitment to Jewish youth, the vast network we possess, and our ability to reach and mobilize thousands of Jewish teens all over the country.”
To this end, NCSY’s National Board took the lead coordinating a continent-wide program in which all 14 of NCSY’s Regions joined together in a substantive learning of the five Books of the Torah. “NCSY is a close-knit organization that enjoys plenty of cooperation across its dozen-plus Regions, but even longtime NCSY staffers and teens were surprised and moved by the unprecedented level of cooperation this project engendered,” said Richton.
“We hope and pray that our prodigious amounts of Torah study and genuine spirit of unity serve as a merit for the souls of the martyred young men. They will not be forgotten.”