Shana Alef Shabbaton in Raanana

Talmidim were hosted by the Ohel Ari Shul in Raanana. Beit Knesset Ohel Ari is named in memory of IDF Sgt. Ari Weiss H"YD, the son of Rabbi Stewart and Susie Weiss, who fell in battle in 2002 against Hamas terrorists. We thank the Ohel Ari community for its gracious hospitality in welcoming our talmidim for Shabbat and hosting them for Friday night dinner.

Talmidim joined Rabbi Seth Farber, Rabbi of Kehillat Netivot (and an alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion - 1986) for a Tish on Friday night. Rabbi Farber is best known as the Founder and Director of ITIM: The Jewish Life Information Center. ITIM helps secular Jews navigate the Israeli religious establishment during critical moments of Jewish life. Rabbi Farber described the work of ITIM and his hope that ITIM will continue to serve as a bridge for secular Jews to Halachik Judaism.
To find out more about ITIM, please visit: http://eng.itim.org.il/

Kiddush and Lunch took place in the home of madrich, Eitan Martin!

Seuda Shlishit was held in the home of madrich, Ariel Brounstein! Rabbi Daniel Beller, Rabbi of Kehillat Shivtei Yisrael (a Yeshiva alumnus - 1982). Rabbi Beller is the founder and director of “Bakehilla”, a community based educational project that seeks to make Judaism more accessible, relevant and personalized to the secular Israeli public. Rabbi Beller urged talmidim to take full advantage of their year of study in Yeshivat Har Etzion which he referred to as a "Palace of Torah" and then challenged talmidim to use this knowledge for the betterment of Jewish communal life world-wide.

After Shabbat, Rabbi Beller wrote the Yeshiva a message,
"It was a joy to be with such wonderful boys. And, for a change,
I did not have to try and inspire people to be interested
as they are already on fire!
I am always willing to do whatever possible
for the institution that gave me so much!"

We thank Shana Alef Madrichim: Ariel Brounstein, Ariel Cohen, and Eitan Martin (all from Raanana) for a wonderful Shabbaton and allowing our talmidim to meet some remarkable people!