Our Educational and
Outreach Programs

The Central Hesder Yeshiva: Afikei Daat

This, our main institution, prepares the next generation of religious Zionist leaders through a five-year program which combines Jewish study and army service.
Many of our students serve in elite IDF units. Many become commanding officers, while others choose to engage in an advanced course of leadership and religious training.

Satellite Yeshivot

These two programs located in Sderot and Kiryat Gat serve close to 300 high school graduates who are on a quest for meaning in their Jewish identity. The schools focus on Jewish heritage. They strengthen students’ understanding of their identity and culture. The schools also provide physical training in preparation for army service. The students mainly come from at-risk backgrounds and disadvantaged homes.

“Hesder Goes to College” Programs

Our joint programs with Herzog College and the Sami Shamoun School Engineering allow our students to combine study in our institutions with study for a BA or BS college degree.

“Kollel” Programs – Advanced Leadership Training

Many of our students commit to a life of Jewish leadership and remain in the yeshiva after five years of Hesder. They study to become community Rabbis and leaders with a religious Zionist vision focused on values and community service.

Midrasha – Post High School Women’s Program

In order to strengthen Jewish identity of post high school young Israeli women and prepare them for the endless challenges of National Service and the real world – we founded an innovative preparatory Midrasha program in 2017, providing a warm, in-depth learning program. In addition there are many activities outside of the classroom including trips around Israel, volunteering, and extracurricular classes. The young women are also involved in the community in Sderot, and as a result are able to experience life in Sderot first hand.

Sderot Neighborhood Emergency Response Team

In the town of Sderot, less than 1.5 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, a special group of first-response volunteers, which includes around 25 of our students, is prepared 24/7 to spring into action should rockets start falling on the city. Known as “Tzevet Tzachash” or “the neighborhood emergency response team,” these volunteers arrive at the scene of rocket attacks to assist those affected, many of whom are traumatized by the rockets, and are trapped inside their apartments with fear, waiting for help to arrive.

Senior Citizens Learning Program

A group of 20 seniors join our students every morning for inspirational Jewish study in a rocket-proof classroom – crucial for seniors who can’t even get into their own protected rooms at home within the allotted 15 seconds. The seniors and students forge meaningful relationships beyond study hours – bonds that are a source of hope and inspiration in the seniors’ lives.

Big Brother Program

Our students study with Sderot youth after school, contributing to their Jewish identity and keeping youngsters off the streets during the afternoon.

As with the seniors, our students develop personal relationships with the youth and their families. Our students serve as strong connection to Jewish life.

Community Religious Court for Monetary Affairs

Local residents who found it inconvenient to travel outside of the area pressed for this service which is now the only such Beit Din in the area. Presiding over the court are the ordained Dayanim (judges) Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi David Fendel, Rosh Kollel Rabbi Dror Tawil, and Rabbi Ariel Bar-Eli. The questions to the court are regarding many facets of life, but are primarily monetary related. The Rabbis receive and answer questions concerning financial issues through the “Kipa” Internet site.

Chesed Fund

In addition to providing spiritual and direct physical assistance to Sderot’s needy, we also act as a pipeline for donations for them, in cooperation with the municipal welfare department.

The Central Hesder Yeshiva: Afikei Daat
This, our main institution, prepares the next generation of religious Zionist leaders through a five-year program which combines Jewish study and army service.
Many of our students serve in elite IDF units. Many become commanding officers, while others choose to engage in an advanced course of leadership and religious training.
Satellite Hesder Academies for Jewish Identify
These two programs located in Sderot and Kiryat Gat serve close to 300 high school graduates who are on a quest for meaning in their Jewish identity. The schools focus on Jewish heritage. They strengthen students’ understanding of their identity and culture. The schools also provide physical training in preparation for army service. The students mainly come from at-risk backgrounds and disadvantaged homes.
“Hesder Goes to College” Programs
Our joint programs with Herzog College and the Sami Shamoun School Engineering allow our students to combine study in our institutions with study for a BA or BS college degree.
“Kollel” Programs – Advanced Leadership Training
Many of our students commit to a life of Jewish leadership and remain in the yeshiva after five years of Hesder. They study to become community Rabbis and leaders with a religious Zionist vision focused on values and community service.
Midrasha – Post High School Women’s Program
In order to strengthen Jewish identity of post high school young Israeli women and prepare them for the endless challenges of National Service and the real world – we founded an innovative preparatory Midrasha program in 2017, providing a warm, in-depth learning program. In addition there are many activities outside of the classroom including trips around Israel, volunteering, and extracurricular classes. The young women are also involved in the community in Sderot, and as a result are able to experience life in Sderot first hand.
Sderot Neighborhood Emergency Response Team
In the town of Sderot, less than 1.5 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, a special group of first-response volunteers, which includes around 25 of our students, is prepared 24/7 to spring into action should rockets start falling on the city. Known as “Tzevet Zachash” or “the neighborhood emergency response team,” these volunteers arrive at the scene of rocket attacks to assist those affected, many of whom are traumatized by the rockets, and are trapped inside their apartments with fear, waiting for help to arrive.
Senior Citizens Outreach
A group of 20 seniors join our students every morning for inspirational Jewish study in a rocket-proof classroom – crucial for seniors who can’t even get into their own protected rooms at home within the allotted 15 seconds. The seniors and students forge meaningful relationships beyond study hours – bonds that are a source of hope and inspiration in the seniors’ lives.
Youth and IDF Outreach
Our students study with Sderot youth after school, contributing to their Jewish identity and keeping youngsters off the streets during the afternoon.

As with the seniors, our students develop personal relationships with the youth and their families. Our students serve as strong connection to Jewish life.
Community Religious Court for Monetary Affairs
Local residents who found it inconvenient to travel outside of the area pressed for this service which is now the only such Beit Din in the area. Presiding over the court are the ordained Dayanim (judges) Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi David Fendel, Rosh Kollel Rabbi Dror Tawil, and Rabbi Ariel Bar-Eli. The questions to the court are regarding many facets of life, but are primarily monetary related. The Rabbis receive and answer questions concerning financial issues through the “Kipa” Internet site.
Chesed Fund
In addition to providing spiritual and direct physical assistance to Sderot’s needy, we also act as a pipeline for donations for them, in cooperation with the municipal welfare department.