DETROIT – A Metro Detroit teen studying in Israel plans to stay put as war erupts around him.
Judah Lopatin, 18, arrived at a seminary in Gush Etzion six weeks ago, never expecting a war to emerge.
“We’re relatively far away, I don’t know exactly the distance but it feels close,” Lopatin said.
Since Saturday, Oct. 7, they’ve heard a few sirens and rockets from a distance.
Background: Israel declares war, bombards Gaza and battles to dislodge Hamas fighters after surprise attack
“We’ve been hearing a lot of planes flying over, occasionally we hear gunshots in the distance but that’s not always fighting gunshots,” he said. “There’s a gun range nearby where a lot of the soldiers who come in from the reserve are practicing.”
His class size has drastically dwindled as many of his classmates and teachers have been called to serve in the war.
At least for now, the plan is for Lopatin to stay put.
“My parents are worried, they’re scared but… they know that I want to be here,” Lopatin said.
His mother, Rachel Lopatin, said she has hardly slept since the attacks began.
“I’m very, very worried and spend a lot of time refreshing, and Googling and trying to find out the latest information,” she said.
However, she supports her son’s decision to stay and his dedication to helping others.
“He feels like he’s able to contribute right now because so many of the men in the community are called to fight and there are a lot of things that need to happen within the community that he’s now doing,” Rachel Lopatin said. “He’s babysitting, he’s tutoring.”
While Lopatin can’t physically fight in the war, he feels a calling to contribute spiritually.
“If we can keep a core of people who are keeping the spiritual side of the war that gives a lot of what we call ‘hazak’ that gives a lot of confidence to the soldiers of what to fight for,” he said.
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