Medically Exempt Religious Youths Choose Service at Telpiyot Children's Village

At a time when many religious Zionist teens enlist in combat units, a group of young men with medical exemptions has chosen a different form of national service at Telpiyot Children’s Village. There, they work with children and teenagers who have experienced severe trauma, instability, and family breakdowns. The article follows Yishai Klopman, from Karmit Zur in Gush Etzion, who studied for a year and a half at the Makhanim Hesder yeshiva before realizing a leg injury would keep him out of combat service.

Klopman said he rejected routine military roles and wanted a place where he could contribute more meaningfully. He now helps run a household of 12 children referred by welfare authorities, within a family-style framework that includes parents and counselors. He described the emotional strain of building trust with children who have been abandoned, including one resident who recently told him, “I don’t need you.” Klopman replied that it is normal to be upset, but real relationships are rebuilt after hurt.

Telpiyot hosts about 96 children and teens with difficult life stories. CEO Eliakim Yasi said the service volunteers act as an “older brother” figure, providing stability and a role model. He said that when former residents are asked who influenced them most, they often name the national service volunteer who stayed up talking with them late into the night, not a psychologist or counselor.

Klopman said friends who are serving in combat initially questioned his path, but their view changed after seeing the workload firsthand. Even his yeshiva head, after visiting the village, was struck by the responsibility involved. Yasi and village manager Amit Lugasi said the volunteers manage school routines, help with matriculation exams, and handle budgets, effectively running a family. Lugasi said that after October 7, former volunteers returned on their own initiative to replace staff called up for reserve duty, making it possible to keep the village functioning. Association for Volunteer Service CEO Yaron Lotz said Telpiyot’s volunteers are part of Israel’s social backbone and help strengthen national resilience by rebuilding the next generation.