Yom Hazikaron Commemorated & Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebrated at Yeshivat Kiryat Shemona
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron at our Yeshivah provides an opportunity for any Hesdernik to share his own grief or personal story about a friend or relative who died in defense of the State of Israel or who was a victim of a terrorist attack. The mood is enhanced by candlelight, songs and musical accompaniment reflecting the somber atmosphere of the day.
Among the 23,000 fallen soldiers and victims of terror are a number of our own Hesder graduates, who are commemorated on a special plaque beside the Bet Midrash. This year the pain was felt especially deeply owing to the death of a soldier, who served together with Kiryat Shemona Hesder students in the artillery corps and was killed in September 2012 in a shootout between Islamist terrorists and IDF troops along Israel’s southern border with Egypt.
This page is presented in memory of Netanel Yahalomi z”l.
Yom Ha’atzmaut
The Jewish people have gathered eons of experience celebrating happy days immediately following days of mourning, and for the past 65 years, this has been the case as Yom Ha’atzmaut follows Yom Hazikaron – and we do it pretty well.
On this special day, our Hesderniks put into practice all the abundant spiritual ideals that are studiously researched during their years of learning at the Yeshivah. In the evening, a special Maariv service was followed by a lavish meal combining delicacies both edible and spiritual, as Am Yisrael celebrated its freedom in Eretz Yisrael.
After this, the entire town was invited to a “Happening” graced by the honored presence of various leaders and rabbis of the public sphere. This year, a group of Ethiopian immigrants took part in what was, for most of them, their first experience of a Yom Atzmaut in Israel. A hike organized took place in the morning after which the obligatory barbecue (“mangal”) provided a delicious fitting finale to this beautiful purely-Israeli holiday.
Click an image below to enlarge:
New Sefer Torah Dedicated on 60 Year-Old Secular Kibbutz; Yeshiva Participates
The Yeshiva has an ongoing relationship with Kibbutz Ma’ayan Baruch (located a few kilometers north-east of Kiryat Shemona, near the intersection of the Israeli, Syrian and Lebanese borders) since Hesderniks began leading the Tefillot and participating in the minyan on Yom Kippur, at the request of the kibbutz leadership several years ago.
History was made recently when a Sefer Torah was inaugurated on the kibbutz in a very moving ceremony, accompanied by Rabbi Drori and a large group of Hesder students. Their special, ongoing connection with the kibbutz was inspirational in setting the tone, and whose dancing and singing in joyful unison with large numbers of kibbutzniks brought tears to the eyes of many participants.
The scroll was borne to its temporary home in one of the kibbutz houses until it finds its final place in a new synagogue that is presently in the planning stages.
The unusual thing about this occasion is that never before has such an event taken place on this secular 60 year-old kibbutz! It was not until recent years when new families began moving to houses in the kibbutz extension that there was a request for a new sefer torah. The kibbutz owned a 90 year-old Torah that was no longer fit to be used, so when needed, a scroll was brought for use each time from the Hesder Yeshiva. Although the vast majority of the kibbutz residents are not religious, more and more of them have started to attend Friday night minyan.
This occasion is living proof that secular kibbutzim are slowly embracing Jewish tradition into their lives, and that our Yeshiva takes pride in being an integral part of this process.
Rav Drori Makes Surprise Visit to Hesder Kfir Infantry Unit
Part of the Yeshiva’s credo involves individual attention to every Hesdernik. This applies not only while they are learning at the Yeshiva but also when they leave temporarily to perform their military duties in the IDF.
In light of this, a volunteer from the higher Yeshiva classes is appointed to be responsible for maintaining personal and ongoing contact with each and every one of the Kiryat Shemona Hesder soldiers for morale-boosting purposes. Activities include organizing visits from other Hesderniks and Rabbanim, sending packages, and providing solutions for problems that may arise in the field, such as matters pertaining to Halacha.
Rabbi Drori recently made these Hesder soldiers very happy when he paid them a surprise visit on their base in the “Kfir” infantry unit . The role of this particular unit is to guard and protect the villages and homes of residents who live in Judea and Samaria.
The banner in the picture reads “Our soldier: For you – to the end of the world! Yeshivat Kiryat Shemona”.
Planting Trees: A Special Annual Tu B’Shvat Event
Tu B’Shvat is an annual celebration at the Yeshivah when Hesder students, Rabbanim and the Rosh Yeshivah wind their way up and down the adjacent (presently muddy!) mountain to plant trees in honor of this special, very-Israeli day.
Over the years, in spite of the devastation caused by fire from Katyusha bombs during the 2006 2nd Lebanon War, the Naftali Mountain Range has flourished as a result of this effort, which takes place in full coordination with Keren Kayemet LeYisrael. Trees have also been planted by groups and individuals visiting the Yeshivah, some in memory of a loved one. It is an emotional experience for everyone.
Contact the overseas coordinator (details on this site) if you’d like to be part of this project.
(Click Image Below to Enlarge)
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- The Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Drori, planting trees on Tu B’Shvat.
“Beit Estelle & Sam Samson” Dormitories Dedicated on Legacy Heritage Campus
On November 30th 2012, Rabbi Tzfaniah and Sharri Drori, together with students, faculty and staff, gathered to dedicate “Beit Estelle and Sam Samson”, one of the three dormitories built to house our Hesder students on the Legacy Heritage Campus. The sunny fall day offered perfect weather for the outdoor dedication ceremony, which was attended by Los Angeles residents Dr. Estie and Allen Samson, son of the late Estelle Samson, whose husband, Sam, gave a generous donation to name the building in memory of his wife Estelle z’l, a true “Eshet Chayil”.
The dormitory project was set in motion in 2008 when the Legacy Heritage Foundation offered the Yeshivah matching funds to build a residential campus consisting of three dormitory buildings, each housing 50 Hesderniks. This gift gave the Yeshivah the funding necessary to move forward with construction, with the vital assistance of Mr. Lee Samson, chairman of the Kiryat Shemona Foundation.
The following statement was made by Rav Drori after Estelle passed away:
“Estelle is engraved on our Aron Kodesh in the Ner Tamid – the perpetual lamp made in the shape of a crown at the heart of the Aron Kodesh, from which a perpetual light shines out into our Bet Midrash.
This image that is revealed to everyone entering the Bet Midrash, will be an everlasting memorial in all our hearts, and in the heart of Eretz Israel, to a person who was so pure, full of goodness to everyone, to her large family and to the people of Israel.
Estelle, wife and mother, was a wonderful model of family life, communal life, and the life of a lady in the generation of our redemption, who, throughout her entire existence, shone with joy, courage and faith as an example to the people of Israel.”
Exciting News in The New York Times about Kiryat Shemona
Kiryat Shemona has sadly been associated with katyusha rockets and strife. Located just two miles from the Lebanon border, the city has always been in a precarious spot. However, recently, the city made news for different reasons: soccer! And, with help from committed citizens, the city’s image is getting a much-appreciated makeover. Click here for full story
