The Lev L’Achim team in Be’er Sheva had a mission: to convince 45 teenagers to switch from public schools to yeshivos for the next zeman. It would be a huge move for the boys, now in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade — putting aside their dreams of graduating high school and going to the army for a new dream they never imagined.

The number 45 was inspired by the loss of 45 neshamos last Lag B’omer.

When they noted that Lev L’Achim’s southern district director Rav Tuvia Levenstein would be celebrating his daughter’s wedding this week, the troops redoubled their efforts and succeeded in presenting Rav Tuvia the completed list: the most meaningful gift for an overjoyed father, and a zechus for the chassan and kallah on the cusp of building their own Torah home.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 887)