I will soon be making a major life-altering change, as my family and I make aliyah and move to Israel, G-d willing.

When my parents first informed me of their plans I hated the idea. It had been my parents’ lifelong dream to move to Israel. After Sept. 11, life seemed more precious so that their dream became more urgent. Yet to me, making aliyah meant leaving behind everything I know and have.

I will be leaving all my friends, switching to a totally different school, in new surroundings. I’m also not so great at speaking Hebrew. I argued with my parents against moving and gave them a tough time.

So my parents suggested I should first experience Israel by visiting there with my father this past March. When I was in Israel, one special event transformed my view and feelings, and motivated me to make aliyah.

My father and I were driving down a dark highway on our way from Jerusalem to a small town called Tekoa. We passed through an army checkpoint and saw the soldier’s young faces as I looked out the window. Many of them were not much older than 20.

Inching forward, I saw something that changed my perspective on Israel.

There was a young soldier sitting on a small chair by a table, with a little candle, on top of it. Was it a memorial Yartzeit candle? For a surreal moment, I saw the soldier’s face through the candle, and I was touched deep inside.

We constantly hear about terrorist attacks, or almost attacks that were prevented. Everyday we think about our fellow Jews, and are sensitive to their suffering.

The following day in Israel, two soldiers were killed at an army checkpoint. I suddenly felt what was really going on. In my mind’s eye I saw that young soldier, no longer there. This couldn’t be happening. How could lives end so suddenly and meaninglessly?

Every morning people in Israel worry, hope and pray that it should be a peaceful day. For many people their family members have not returned home from school or work because of terror attacks. These people living in Israel persevere and are determined not to give up or to succumb to the enemy.

They are like a trembling, yet constantly glowing flame, full of vigor and passion.

Seeing that one soldier through the candle flame made me realize that our Jewish nation perseveres together. The heartbeat of the Jewish people is in Israel; I want to be part of that beat.

I’m moving to Israel to help, persevere, and participate physically in their brave courage and determination.

I’ll miss my life and everything I have here in the United States. My parents are trying to make adjusting and settling in easier for me. For the first year, we are moving to a town with Americans who previously made aliyah.

I already have a private tutor who helps me with my Hebrew, and I am slowly advancing. Hopefully after being in Israel for a short time I’ll be speaking fluently. I’ll visit the U.S. as often as I can and hopefully everything will work out.

This journey will change my life, and ultimately there will be nothing to regret about living in Israel.

Each day as I ponder my upcoming move, I still see that young soldier’s face through that little candle, full of life. Hopefully he’s still alive. When I am in Israel perhaps I’ll see him again.

Fresh Ink is a Jewish Week supplement written for, and by, high school students.