Noam Gil grew up in Kfar Saba in a secular home with virtually no exposure to Torah. Shabbos, tefillin, shul, and even Krias Shema were simply not part of his world.
But Noam had always wanted to make a difference.
A competitive tennis player who represented Israel at international championships, he was also known for organizing community initiatives.
One of his projects brought Jews and Arabs together, based on a simple belief: stereotypes disappear when people sit down, talk, and get to know one another.
Then a friend asked him a question that would change everything.
“You have no problem bringing Jews and Arabs together,” Tzvika said. “Why not bring religious and secular Jews together too?”
Noam laughed.
“I don’t know any chareidim. I’ve never really met one. I wouldn’t even know where to find them.”
The irony was striking. Noam had spent time bringing Jews and Arabs together, yet the chareidi community was more foreign to him than the Arab community.
Tzvika, who was involved with the Lev L’Achim Midrasha in Kfar Saba, knew exactly where to start.
He contacted Rabbi Kellerman and explained that Noam simply wanted to meet religious Jews and understand their world.
“Of course,” Rabbi Kellerman replied. “Bring him this Wednesday.”
No one could have imagined what would happen next.
Instead of leaving with plans for organizing dialogue between religious and secular Jews, he left with something entirely unexpected: a chavrusa.
One week became two. Two weeks became months.
Noam found himself drawn into Gemara, discovering a world he had never known existed.
His original project was put to the side. His encounter with Torah had become far more significant.
Eventually, Noam approached the rabbi learning with him.
“I want to learn halachah too,” he said. “If I’m studying Torah, I also want to know how to live it.”
And his journey accelerated.
Shabbos, once completely foreign to him, became a central part of his life.
Then came another milestone. Noam spent a substantial amount of his own money on a beautiful pair of mehudar tefillin.
Since then, he has put them on every day.
Even when he travels overseas to represent Israel at international tennis championships, his tefillin travel with him.
Noam thought he needed to build a bridge between religious and secular Jews.
But the real bridge was much simpler: a genuine exposure to Torah and its way of life.
No pressure. No arguments. No debates.
Just exposure.
(Shared by Lev L’achim)
As we prepare for Sukkos and purchase our daled minim, we are reminded of a powerful message about the honor of Hashem in the world: Kavod Shamayim is deeply connected to the unity of Klal Yisroel.
The Gemara in Menachos 27a teaches that of the four species of the lulav, two produce fruit and two do not produce fruit. Those that produce fruit need those that do not produce fruit, and those that do not produce fruit need those that produce fruit. A person does not fulfill his obligation with them until they are all bound together in one bundle.
So too, with Klal Yisroel: we are worthy of acceptance before Hashem only when we are all bound together as one. Rashi explains that this refers to the entire Jewish people coming together, the צדיקים ורשעים.
At a time when we are witnessing so much painful division within our own people, we have a special responsibility to strengthen the bonds between us through interactions of kiddush Hashem.
This is the message at the heart of the Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation’s latest film.
Through 3 powerful true stories the film challenges us to see Kiddush Hashem not as an abstract idea, but as a mission that plays out in every interaction and every setting.
May we be zocheh, through our efforts to increase Kavod Shamayim and strengthen the bonds of achdus among Klal Yisroel, to see the fulfillment of:
“וְהָיָה ה’ לְמֶלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ.”
Watch the film now:
A priceless experience, at no cost.