Religious Zionist Leaders Unite in Community Initiatives and Commemorations Across Israel
Senior rabbis of Religious Zionism appeared on Dvir Amar's podcast on Channel 7, including Rabbi Shlomo Shapira, former member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court, and Rabbi Eyal Greiner, head of the Tefahot Hesder Yeshiva. Rabbi Greiner discussed key issues such as agreements with the IDF Chief of Staff on yeshiva students' military service in the armored corps, wartime experiences of students, personal coping with bereavement, and the yeshiva's educational vision in the Galilee.
Students from Nachalat Yisrael Yeshiva in Migdal HaEmek visited Rabbi Shaul Alter, head of the yeshiva and son of the Gur Hasidic Rebbe, engaging in discussions and Q&A sessions. Uri Amichav, a 19-year-old from Efrat, launched a social initiative by running marathons in suits to raise funds for the "Just Smile" association, which supports mental health challenges. Over 35 runners participated in suits during the recent Maccabiah race.
The Ashkelon Hesder Yeshiva runs a special summer study program for youth, offering daily prayers, paired learning, and Torah classes. Rabbi Avihay Fisfeder, head of the yeshiva, expressed joy at seeing local youth learning Torah during vacation. Meanwhile, the Haifa Hesder Yeshiva "Or VeYeshuah" held its annual "To Build and Be Built" conference during the Three Weeks, focusing this year on the commandment of the red heifer and emphasizing awareness of the Temple and ongoing regional struggles.
A new experiential midrasha for religious girls in grades 6-9 will open in Or Akiva, complementing the successful boys' program, through collaboration between the local community center and the Hesder Yeshiva.
In Beit El, a brit milah ceremony was held for the newborn grandson of council head Shay Alon, attended by ministers Yariv Levin, Gideon Sa'ar, Nir Barkat, Eli Cohen, Shlomo Karhi, Gila Gamliel, Amichai Shikli, MK Avichai Boaron, Rabbi Shulamit Melamed, and Channel 7 CEO Uzi Baruch. The Beit El chess championship was held for the second consecutive year in memory of Lt. Col. David Yehuda Yitzhak, with Moti Gendelman winning the adult category.
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer met with French-speaking Chabad emissaries who thanked his office for strengthening Jewish identity among immigrants. Hundreds of rabbis, community leaders, and activists participated in a special Shabbat organized by the Communities Fund in Tiberias, including visits to Safed's Ari shrine and speeches by prominent rabbis and legal figures.
Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strook received the "Settlement Champion" award at the Decision Conference initiated by MK Ohad Tal, recognizing her work for settlement advancement. Yehoshua Sherman, father of Yehuda Shmuel who was killed in a Samaria attack, also received an honor for leading the "Home" forum advocating for canceling Oslo Accords and expanding settlements in Area A.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel toured Gush Etzion with council head Yaron Rosenthal, deputy Moshe Breniker, and social influencer Kosher Guru, visiting key sites and discussing settlement challenges, public diplomacy, and combating Israel's delegitimization worldwide.