Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi

Every year it's hard to say goodbye to the guys. But it's important to reflect on just how far they've come this year, how much Torah they've learnt and how their relationship with the Land of Israel has deepened significantly.

For those leaving, we hope to see them again soon, and for the guys staying in Israel and drafting over the next year, we wish them a safe and successful period of service.

Shavua Tzionut - Days 4/5

As Yom Hazikaron drew closer, on Sunday the students travelled to Har Herzl to visit the Herzl museum, giving them an in-depth view of the historical events around the time of the First Zionist Congress in 1897.

Reflecting on Herzl's famous diary every from September 1897 that, "Maybe in 5 years, at least in 50, everyone will see it", our thoughts in the afternoon turned to the ultimate sacrifice required by our people to bring his vision into reality. Rav Benny and Rav Aviad led the students on intimate tours of Yad Vashem, combining insights with deeply personal stories of loss.

In the evening, the students attended the incredibly meaningful Yom Hazikaron ceremony produced by .

This morning, the students revisited Har Herzl, this time to share in the indescribable loss felt by all of the Jewish People on this most hallowed of days...

And finally, following a shiur from Rav Aviad, everyone was ready to celebrate this evening at the OU tefilla in Jerusalem as we celebrated the 78th year of our previous country!

חג שמח!

Day 3 - Shavua Tzionut

On Sunday we travelled to Gush Etzion. We spent the morning in Oz VeGaon, volunteering with the different projects.

In the afternoon, we visited the museum in Kfar Etzion, where we learnt much more about the unique history of the area and huge sacrifices made decades ago.

Shavua Tzionut - Day 2!

Last Thursday saw us explore the Old City of Jerusalem, learning new insights about familiar places of interest and gaining a new understanding of the events of 1947-9.

In the evening, we had the great honour to host Rav , who spoke to our students about his brother Captain Yaron Chitiz who fell in battle in December 2023.

Shavua Tzionut - Day 1!

On Wednesday we launched our Shavua Tzionut programming with an action packed day. Starting with a tiyul through יער קדושים, Rav Aviad talked about the connections between Yom HaShoah and the establishment of the State of Israel. Our walk headed up a VERY steep hill before ending at מגילת האש, where we heard more about this remarkable monument.

We then travelled to the museum at שער הגיא, to understand more about the critical fight to clear the way to Jerusalem during the War of Independence.

Finally, during night Seder we heard from our regular guest Rav Moshe Lichtman, and the students had an opportunity to grow their book collections!

We're back, and no more meaningful day to return than Yom HaShoah...

The guys led a tekes last night, and this morning we heard from followed by a morning of reflection and challenge as we delved into sources relating to the question of theodicy with

This afternoon we travelled to Yad Vashem with Rav Aviad, exploring the Valley of Communities and reflecting more on the sheer scale of destruction.

It's a short zman ahead for our Northern Hemisphere students, but we can't wait to see just how much learning and rich experiences await over the next few weeks!

A brief look back at the end to the zman last week... All the morning shiurim enjoyed lunch with their Ramin, before a special night Seder gathering to mark the publication of a Leila HaSeder Dvar Torah pamphlet written by our students!

Join Rav Aryeh Sklar for a special pre-Pesach shiur in Riverdale and online over Zoom!