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Many years ago, as my senior year high school neared completion, it was time to go college hunting. Yeshiva University was not my number one choice but my rebbe felt that Queens would be a spiritual wasteland. I liked my rebbe and respected his opinion so I set up an interview at YU. This was my first interview at any college and had not prepared in any way or anticipated anything. My strategy was to take life as it comes. I was introduced to a long-bearded rabbi sitting behind a quite imposing desk. He asked me if I was “stranded on a desert island but could take only one thing in a box, what would that be?” In an instant, I recognized what the question meant. He wanted to get a sense of my values. I also would’ve bet my life that every other candidate answered in a way consitent with a rabbi's thinking. Perhaps some said tefilin or others a Chumash. In any case, I walk my own path. I quickly responded “A girl from Stern (College for Women)!”Not a smile, not a smirk, nothing!
That was okay because now the interview was becoming fun. He said, “Let me rephrase the question. Perhaps you didn’t understand. If there was one thing that was of the utmost value to you and you were going into outer space, what would that be?” Without missing a beat, I boldly replied, “That box we were just talking about!” Funny how short some interviews can be.
A few weeks later my rebbe walks into the classroom and tells me there is a rabbi from a nice yeshiva in Israel and I should meet him. I had no interest in going to learn for a year in YU let alone in Israel. But I agreed. Rabbi Sosevsky starts to tell me about how wonderful his yeshiva is, how it’s expanding, the level of learning etc. I cut him off and said, “That sounds very nice but I bet all yeshivot say the same thing about their institution. I would like to know if would I get throw out for talking to girls (as I had heard about other yeshivot in Israel) or for wearing jeans.” He said no but proper attire was necessary for learning time and that I shouldn't violate any halachot with the women. I said, “Now you have my attention and interest.”
Sometime later, I got an acceptance letter from Ohr Yerushalayim and YU!
I did end up in Israel for the year. Halfway through the year, Rabbi Sosevsky came over and reminded me of the interview and he expressed how worried he was about what kind of boy he was accepting into his fold. But my rebbe had assured him that he would not regret it and that I would shine (which of course, I did).
The funny thing is that I don’t think I would act differently if I had to do it all over again.
And kids, do not attempt any of this on your own.