On Wednesday evening, April 13, the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a gala dinner at Terrace on the Park. Over 400 attendees, including distinguished rebbeim, came together to support and pay tribute to the miracle of the yeshiva and to the dinner’s guests of honor. The mood at the dinner was one of warmth and filled with good feelings, reuniting family, friends, supporters and colleagues from many different communities. The evening began with a pre-dinner reception that gave the honorees an opportunity to meet each other, greet the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Dovid Fendel and reflect on the important cause of the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot.
Following the pre-dinner reception, all the attendees entered the grand ballroom for a sumptuous and delectable buffet dinner catered by Main Event-Mauzone. The menu was quite varied with top-of-the-line delicacies that ranged from sushi to ribs, lamb to sausages, salads to sweet potato fries and then some. The open seating format allowed all to sit comfortably with whomever they wished. On each table were Virtual Journal ipads that contained detailed information about the yeshiva, including its future plans, as well as all the ads submitted in support of the honorees and the yeshiva. The program opened with the singing of the Hatikvah and the Star-Spangled Banner, followed by the prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel, the Mi Sheberach for Tzahal and two chapters of Tehillim.
Rabbi Ari Katz, director of the new overseas program at the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot, welcomed the large audience and introduced the HAFTR video, recognizing the school’s dedication of a safe room at the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot. The video told the story of how HAFTR acquired a menorah constructed from pieces of Kassam rockets that were launched into Sderot from Gaza, identical in size and dimensions to the menorah that stands on the rocket-proof rooftop of the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot. The HAFTR menorah currently stands proudly in front of the school on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst, New York for all to see. The video depicts how the entire school got behind the project and participated in a special lighting of the menorah each night of Chanukah. The story was featured extensively in the media, in the newspapers as well as on television. At the dinner, HAFTR was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Jason Bokor, David Segal, administrators, rebbeim and students.
The program continued with the viewing of the new Sderot video, giving an inspiring overview of life at the yeshiva, as well as the integral role it plays in the vibrant resurgence of the City of Sderot. Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot continues its ongoing plans to develop, construct and expand the yeshiva and the city of Sderot. Rabbi Fendel continued by saying, “Let our neighbors in Gaza see for themselves how we turn their hate and terror into a beacon of light, hope and devotion.”
Videos and presentations of awards to the guests of honor followed, featuring Rabbanit Mechi Fendel, about whom Rabbi Fendel spoke eloquently, giving her kavod and describing her as a true Eishes Chayil, and acknowledged her selfless sacrifice and participation in the growth of the yeshiva and the community; Rabbi and Mrs. Moishe Friederwitzer, Rabbanit Fendel’s parents and Eddie and Blair Izso of Englewood. Susan Brent Millner of Chicago was recognized with the Israel Activist Award. Each of the guests of honor received a tabletop replica of the menorah made from remnants of Kassam rockets fired into Sderot. Friends of Sderot awardees, Beryl and Doreen Eckstein, Henry Levy and Chaim and Suri Boiangiu, were presented with mezuzot that were constructed from pieces of the Iron Dome, the sophisticated technology developed to protect against missile attacks. These mezuzot are part of a new campaign for the public to show solidarity with Sderot. By owning a mezuzah created specifically in response to actual terrorist attacks, one can truly embrace a close connection with Sderot.
The dinner’s keynote speaker was Alan Dershowitz, Esq., Professor Emeritus at Harvard University Law School. Mr. Dershowitz gave an uplifting, passionate and pro-Israel/Zionist address emphasizing the value of American Jewry participation. He condemned the BDS movement and spoke of the importance of continuing to help build and contribute to the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot. He pointed out that throughout the bombings and threats from the terror tunnels, the students in the yeshiva, the largest Hesder yeshiva in the country, continued to learn and assist the residents of Sderot and, in addition, were a great source of support to Tzahal. He was cheered enthusiastically and received rounds of applause. He quoted stories and pesukim from the Tanach, and repeated over and over again Israel’s right to exist and its right to defend itself. His speech was received with a standing ovation as a true friend of Sderot and Israel. Following his inspirational words, Rabbi Fendel presented Mr. Dershowitz with a tabletop menorah and an Iron Dome mezuzah.
The evening concluded with a lavish and extensive Viennese dessert table featuring a wide variety of sweets, fruits and special delicious creations of cookies and cakes.
Yasher Koach to the American Friends of Sderot team including Mr. Chaim Liebtag, dinner chairman Judah Rhine and Israeli residents Aaron Tirschwell, David Maeir-Epstein and Binyamin Schwartz. Thanks to Ira Thomas Creations for the photography and Gary Wallin for producing the A/V, sound and videos. Special thanks to all the attendees and supporters of the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot who helped to make this dinner so successful because they recognize what Sderot means to the global Jewish community. We are already looking forward to next year’s dinner.
If you are planning to be in Israel for yom tov, or are planning an upcoming trip in the future, please put Sderot on your list of places to visit. Tours of the yeshiva and the city of Sderot with Rabbi Fendel can be arranged.
In addition to the mezuzah campaign, the dinner launches the new Sderot menorah campaign, which offers the opportunity to have a menorah like the one that stands on the rooftop of the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot, built for your synagogue or school. For more information for this menorah campaign and the mezuzah Campaign, and tours to Sderot, please contact Judah Rhine at [email protected].
