My name is Avraham and I am finishing 10th grade. This year I was at the Brosh Group in Ben Yakir. I live in Beit Shemesh. I made Aliyah from Ethiopia at age 6.

This year was really focused on studying. Moving from middle school, to a regional high school (we study there and come back to the village in the afternoon), was not easy. It was very demanding. I had a lot of gaps to fill.

I had to do my homework, many assignments, a lot of personal tutoring. When I needed help with my studies I asked, and received assistance from college students and tutors.

On the social side, I connected really fast with the new people at the high school. I am a friendly person. They gladly took me in. the new immigrants at the school wanted to learn from me - since I moved here many years ago, have good Hebrew.

This year I got to know my friends at Ben Yakir in a much deeper way. We love playing basketball and soccer together.

My favorite time of day is at 8 PM, when I go out for a run. It helps me clear my head, makes time fly, keeps me occupied.
 
My favorite place in Ben Yakir is the security guards' station. I like to speak to them and learn from them. They are in the process of building their life. I find it interesting. I will be there some day.
An activity I remember especially - a field trip we took to the Golan Heights. I saw beautiful landscape, it made me want to live there.

I feel very connected to Judaism. I want to become stronger, it interests me. I am a curios person. When I study Judaism, I feel that I get answers about life.  

I was involved in many activities in the village this year - soccer, basketball, ceramics, and gym. My favorite was ceramics class. I feel myself while working with the clay. It is great fun to see a piece that you have worked hard on come out of the oven and ready.

The people that influenced me the most this year are friends of mine from the 12th grade. They encouraged me to study. I feel that it is important to study from people that are older than you, from their experience. And it is as important to teach the ones that are younger than you.

To my friends and myself, I wish higher grades, that we will study harder and put more efforts.
I hope to see the results of my work, And that the smile will always stay on my face.