About Us

Founded in 1995, The Max and Ruth Schwartz Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot, is Israel’s largest Hesder Yeshiva with over 640 students. A “Hesder” is a five-year program for post high-school students, which combines advanced Torah study with Israel’s mandatory IDF army service. There are currently over 140 of our soldiers carrying out their army service throughout the IDF’s many branches, proudly representing the Hesder.

The Yeshiva has two other branches, one in Sderot itself which includes 180 students, and another one in Kiryat Gat with around 150 students. In addition, there is a womens’ Midrasha with around 30 students. “Friends of Sderot” is an international non-profit organization which maintains relationships with the institution’s friends and partners around the world, who financially support the Hesder’s activities and projects, along with the physical development and the expansion of the Hesder campus.

Friends of Sderot is an international non-profit organization which maintains relationships with the institution’s friends and partners around the world, who financially support the Hesder’s activities and projects, along with the physical development and the expansion of the Hesder campus. The Yeshiva has two other branches, one in Sderot itself which includes 180 students, and another one in Kiryat Gat with around 150 students. In addition, there is a womens’ Midrasha with around 30 students.

Perhaps most importantly, the institution is an integral part of the community. Our students view the diverse residents of Sderot – religious or secular, Ashkenazi or Sephardi, born Israelis or immigrants, as members of our extended family. Whether in times of quiet or conflict, a key principle of the Sderot Hesder is giving back to the community, which we do in so many different ways, as showcased throughout this website.

Team