A summary of the fifth week of the war, as the IDF is settling in Gaza, our study halls are filled with learning during times of war.
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Our forces, including thousands of our graduates, continue to eradicate evil, and we strengthen and pray for their success.
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Wishing you a joyous Sigd,
Today, on Monday, the 29th of Cheshvan, we celebrate Sigd, a special holiday introduced to us by Ethiopian Jews upon their Aliya to Israel. A holiday filled with longing and yearning for the land of Israel and a desire to return to Jerusalem, the holy city. Students from "Derech Avot" Yeshiva ascend to Jerusalem every year, praying at the Kotel with the Keisim (Ethiopian Rabbis), touring the Kotel tunnels, delving into the history and heritage of the Jewish people.
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Maintaining the Emergency Routine
Our students have returned to studies in all institutions. Dozens of staff and rabbis from the institutions are on reserve duty on various fronts. We have expanded our educational staff, and the students study as if on the battlefield. Last week, students from "Derech Avot" went to pick avocados, and students from "Oz v'Emunah" Yeshiva harvested tomatoes to assist in the agriculture sector where hands are needed.
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In Memory of Lieutenant Moshe Yadidiah Leiter, hy"d
Lieutenant Moshe Yadidiah Leiter served as a company commander and led his fighters during the Gaza conflict. He grew up in Eli alongside the Mechina and later joined as a student at the age of 18. You can learn about his character in the following article and interview with his father, Yechiel Leiter.
יהי זכרו ברוך
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Strengthening the Home Front
After over a month of battle, we continue to support families, women, and children who are holding up the home front. This past Shabbat, Parashat Chayei Sarah we hosted 90 families – 350 women and children whose husband / father are recruited. They came for a Shabbat of rest, pampering, and encouragement. Throughout Shabbat, the families enjoyed delicious meals, shiurim, conversations with local Eli women, and the children enjoyed activities and many surprises.
On Saturday night, they all returned home fortified and carrying gifts. Hopefully strengthened in their support of their family members who are fighting for us all. The Shabbat was organized in collaboration with the Hadar program. We thank our friends, both in Israel and across the world, who contributed and assisted in making this successful Shabbat possible.
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Baking Together
On Thursday, we distributed over 300 baking kits to the recruited families. Each family received a package with ingredients and everything needed to bake cookies for an activity with the children. The kits were designed and packaged by the Shmaaya Association. A few of the Shmaaya members helped distribute the first packages to the recruited families.
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BBQ in Action
Since the beginning of the war, dozens of volunteers, led by a graduate of our 8th Cycle, have been feeding thousands of meals for soldiers , setting up tables, lighting grills, and cooking. This BBQ events are held throughout the country for training soldiers preparing to enter the battlefield. We thank all friends and supporters who contribute and assist us in carrying out our tasks. After a month of operations, we look forward to partnering with those who will help us achieve the goals facing us in the coming months.
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In these days of war on all fronts, we strengthen all our fighters in the south, center, and north. We support the learners, pray for the healing of the wounded, and for the continued success of our soldiers in the war against the forces of evil.
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Dr. Rabbi Yechiel Leiter’s message to President Joe Biden, delivered at the funeral of his son, Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter:
Dear Mr. President Joe Biden,
I’m taking the liberty of talking to you from Jerusalem.
We have two things in common, me and you.
We have two things in common.
Number one – we’re both born in Scranton PA, I still have my bank account, at the PNC bank, on Joe Biden blvd. My mom, may she live to 120, lives in Scranton, she’s a real Scrantonian, and my maternal grandparents are buried in Scranton. So that’s the first thing, Mr. Biden, we have in common.
The second thing we have in common is that as of last Friday, I, like you, am a bereaved parent. You lost a son, and I’ve lost a son, so we have two things in common, that’s why I’m taking the liberty.
So you know, because you lost a son, you know the pain that I’m feeling now. The harrowing sense of darkness, the stabbing of the heart, the longing to once again hug your boy, to talk to him about life, advise him in his career.
There is much I can tell you about how special he was. His 15 years in special forces and med-school; manager of two businesses, educational institutions; father of 6, his last son, born just 3 months ago, will never know his father.
But maybe we can talk about that sometime later. What I want to say to you, here and now, about our dear Moshe, was that he was fighting your fight, Mr. President! He was fighting our fight. He gave his life so the barbarians wouldn’t get through the gates of democracy, and of Judeo-Christian Western values. He was fighting for human freedom and against all the lies and distortions of the freedom-deniers, who fool so many Americans with their double talk. He was fighting against Hamas-ISIS.
There are rumors, now, that you’re putting pressure on Israel, to hold off, to cease the offensive. If those rumors are true – I hope they’re not – but if they’re true, I respectfully ask of you, here on my son’s grave, cease and desist. Stand back Mr. President, don’t pressure us. Let us do what we know how to do, what we must do – defeat evil. This is a war of light against darkness, of truth against lies, of civility against murderous barbarism. Take it from one plain speaking Scrantonian to another – we’re going to win this one, with you or without you. We’re gonna’ win it hands down. Never have the people of Israel been so united! This is our job, it’s what the Jewish people are here in this world to do – to fix the world! Sometimes fixing the world means using strength and force.
My Moshe died for a cause. Stand with us Mr. President. Maybe as we read in the biblical book of Esther, it’s the whole reason you are the leader of the free world. All of your long and illustrious career of leadership was in preparation for this very moment. Those who stand with us – will be blessed, those who do not stand with us – will fail. Stand with Moshe who loved America, and even trained with your Delta Force during his army service.
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