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Yeshivat Hesder Sderot, one of Israel’s largest Religious Zionist yeshivas, has built a deep connection with the city it calls home - a connection that its students say was strengthened through the challenges of October 7 and the war that followed.
On October 7, as Hamas terrorists attacked Sderot, the yeshiva’s rabbis and students stood alongside the city’s residents during some of its darkest hours.
“On October 7, we were here," student Oz Lazmi told Arutz Sheva. “The yeshiva and the students stood with the city, and we still stand strongly with the city and the Gaza Envelope, a stronghold of Torah and Zionism for the nation, for the entire people of Israel, for all Jews world over."
The yeshiva was evacuated from Sderot at the beginning of the war. When its students and rabbis returned, they came back determined to restore both everyday life and Torah learning to the southern city.
“Everybody came back here with enthusiasm, with a purpose, ready to continue our Torah learning even after everything we’ve been through," student Nitai Avinoam recalled. “The citizens of Sderot respect us. They see that the Hesder institutions of Torah are continuing to contribute to the city spiritually and physically."
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Student Dvir Moradiya described how the return of the yeshiva affected the city around it.
“The yeshiva brought life to the city. It was amazing to see," he said. “The residents came, and we danced with them and brought them joy. We helped people whose homes were damaged, and we cleared away the debris."
But for the students, the bond between the yeshiva and Sderot is not limited to times of emergency.
Alongside their Torah learning, students maintain close relationships with residents of all ages.
“There are elementary and high-school-aged boys as well as older seniors who come to study with the Yeshiva students," Avinoam said. “We are very connected to the city. We work with them. Every holiday they come here and we’re having the best time of our life together. It’s amazing to see."
“It’s not only about learning in Sderot, but it’s also about being with Sderot," Lazmi explained, describing activities ranging from lighting Hanukkah candles in different neighborhoods to dancing throughout the city on Simchat Torah and covering over 30 synagogues!
“Overall, the yeshiva, the vibe, it’s connected to the root of Sderot."
Torah study and military service
The students of Yeshivat Hesder Sderot combine their Torah studies with service in the Israeli army, while maintaining their connection to the yeshiva during their periods of military service.
Avinoam, who drafted to Golani about three years ago together with fellow students, described the yeshiva as a source of strength during his service.
“Every time I got a single chance to come here, I took it," he said.
“What gave me strength in the army was coming here, speaking to the rabbi, sitting with Rabbi Fendel and telling him everything I’m going through. And it gave me power to continue everything I’m doing."
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‘Like a big family’
Asked what makes Yeshivat Hesder Sderot unique, the students repeatedly pointed to its combination of size, diversity, warmth and commitment to Torah learning.
“People here are very warm, very nice people," Lazmi said. “It’s like a crowd of Ovdei Hashem. Everyone here is so excited to do everything the way it needs to be done."
Moradiya similarly emphasized the atmosphere created by the students and rabbis.
“The atmosphere, the people, the warmth of the yeshiva. The rabbis hug you and love you. The guys are with you all the time," he said.
“Even though the yeshiva is so large (over 800 students and kollel fellows), everyone manages to find his place. There is a great diversity here, all contributing to the dynamic spirit in the study hall."
For Lazmi, that diversity is central to the yeshiva’s mission.
“The people here come from so many different backgrounds and so many different places," he said. “And they come together, they get together to learn Torah, to advance our nation to realize the vision of a Zionist state based on Torah values."
On a personal level, he added, “There are friendships of all ages, all levels. It’s like a big family, like a big home that contains everybody from all backgrounds."
Finding a place in Torah
The yeshiva also places an emphasis on creating a learning environment suited to different students, with a variety of programs, approaches, and styles of Torah study.
“Anyone who comes here can find how they want to connect to the learning, whether it’s iyun (in-depth study) or bekiyut (mastering a large quantity), whether it’s halakha, scripture, there is everything here to the highest level," Lazmi said. “Everyone can find their place and their spot in the Torah. It’s an awesome Beit Midrash. It contains everything."
Avinoam described two different Gemara programs offered at the yeshiva. One, known as “aliba d’hilchata," begins with Gemara study and proceeds to practical halakha.
“It’s a connection between our learning and how we practically work with it," he explained.
In another approach, students delve deeply into individual subjects they encounter in the Gemara.
“We can take one topic, even a few words, and we just delve into it," Avinoam said. “We investigate on our own."
Moradiya described the range available to students simply: “You have four different study methods, and different types of rabbis. Just come, want, say you want to, and be willing to give of yourself. There is no need to stop."
‘A new generation is growing here’
Looking beyond the war, the students describe a yeshiva that continues to grow and develop with the support of partners and communities around the world.
Avinoam noted that even after the war, some may be hesitant to come to Sderot because of concerns over danger. But, he said, “the yeshiva is just growing and growing."
“Everyone around us is donating to us and helping us out to continue growing, making this place the biggest yeshiva in Israel."
For Moradiya, that growth can be seen not only in the yeshiva itself, but in the lives being built around it.
“The yeshiva is really developing," he said. “You see people getting married, joining the army, returning here, after, before, raising their children here."
“A new generation is growing here, faithful to the Torah, imbued with Emunah, connected to the Land of Israel, to the Torah of Israel, and it’s a pleasure to see it."