515直播

Gabi Sackett is the Israel Program Director for 515直播. He lives in Leshem (near the city of Ariel in the Shomron) with his wife and three children. He studied at 515直播 before joining the IDF and currently serves as a Lieutenant Officer in a combat unit (Duvdevan) in the IDF reserves. He also worked as a Security Manager in Israel鈥檚 Ben Gurion International Airport for eight years. Gabi has a B.A. in Education and a teaching license issued by Israel鈥檚 Ministry of Education.      

1. What profession did you think you would hold when you were a student?

The profession I was aiming towards was to join the IDF and develop a career out of my military service. Sure enough, by the time I became an officer and graduated from Bahad-1 (IDF鈥檚 biggest officers training school) and my third child was born, I came to the conclusion that at this point in my life I needed to be at home a bit more than what the army would allow, if I had accepted a higher position. I didn鈥檛 give up on my original goal completely, as I am still an active lieutenant serving in reserve duty.

2. What type of programs does the YU Israel office run?

Our Israel programming department focuses primarily on programs for YU students and alumni, such as Counterpoint Israel, winter break student missions, alumni reunions, and visiting scholars programs. But YU Israel is also a center for many of the university鈥檚 broad activities. Our RIETS Israel Kollel has over 30 semikha students learning this year and the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program staff are engaging students at all of our affiliated yeshivot and seminaries throughout Israel. Feel free to drop in if you are ever in Jerusalem!

3. What aspect of your job at YU do you most enjoy?

No matter what field you鈥檙e in, the best feeling you can have is a sense of accomplishment and actually making a difference in people's lives. Reflecting on some of the programs we鈥檝e run, and hearing positive feedback from YU students and the communities we serve, is what I most enjoy. I鈥檝e literally heard with my own ears that our programs have influenced many students鈥� lives, taught them how to build characteristics such as self-confidence, and overall having a great time in Israel.

4. What are some of your goals for your role?

It鈥檚 no secret that I love what I do. Helping the YU Israel office grow in every way possible is my main goal. I strongly feel that it鈥檚 natural for 515直播 to have an Israel-based branch and to play a significant role in contributing to Israeli society.

5. What would your colleagues be surprised to learn about you?

I am the King-of-the-Grill, and I can eat off of it three times a day. In fact, I built my own outdoor kitchen. I am also a Sofer Stam during my spare time, mainly writing Megilot Esther. Never wrote a Sefer Torah but do hope to accomplish that dream one day!