Some were bleary-eyed and half asleep, but all the guys who’d completed the monthlong Friday learning program were there. It was really happening

“Okay, guys, everyone ready? The bus is waiting outside. Just remember to keep quiet, it’s four o’clock in the morning. Don’t want to make problems with the neighbors, right?”
Benny counted under his breath. All thirty-three guys were in the dining room. He hitched his backpack higher on his back and grabbed the guitar case he’d carefully propped in the corner. He counted again as the guys left the building: thirty-two, thirty-three. Some were bleary-eyed and half asleep, but all the guys who’d completed the monthlong Friday learning program were there. It was really happening.
“Atah Tomer, nachon? Ani Benny, dibarnu ba’telefon,” he greeted the tanned man sitting behind the wheel, drinking coffee.
“Ah, Benny, good to meet you,” the driver answered.
This one’s in print. Some of our best stories live in the magazine — subscribe to get Mishpacha every week.