Tekoa Hesder Yeshiva

The Hesder Yeshiva in Tekoa is a five-year program that combines service in the Israeli army with advanced Jewish study. The Yeshiva's location in Tekoa, a small town in the Judean Hills established as a model of diversity and co-existence, is no accident. Its population is a rich mix of religious and secular Israelis, as well as immigrants from all over the world, and prides itself on being tangible proof that Jews from all walks of life can live together in mutual respect. When the community decided to invite a yeshiva to make its home in Tekoa, it was only natural that they approached Rabbi Steinsaltz, an educator renowned for a lifetime of reaching out to Jews of all affiliations and backgrounds.

Since the Hesder Yeshiva opened in 1999, hundreds of students have come through its doors to be enriched by Torah study and the teachings of Rabbi Steinsaltz. There are currently 140 students studying at the Yeshiva: 40 in the army and 100 who are there full-time.

In 2007, the Hesder Yeshiva dedicated a new beit midrash (study hall) in Tekoa - click here for pictures of the new facility.

Mission:

The Hesder Yeshiva's core mission is to create a cadre of rabbis, teachers, and spiritual and communal activists who embrace Rabbi Steinsaltz's educational philosophy: that learning belongs to every Jew; that all Jews merit the respect and love of their fellow Jews, regardless of level of observance and belief; and that not only does the world have much knowledge to offer humanity, but mankind also has a great deal to contribute to the world.

Transmitting Tradition in a Non-Traditional Yeshiva:

Rabbi Steinsaltz brings to his yeshiva in Tekoa a novel approach to Talmud, the focus of every traditional yeshiva curriculum. Our students learn to view Talmud as a living document that must be universally accessible, not an arcane endeavor restricted to an elite corps of initiates. Here, the complex nature of the text serves as a source of motivation rather than an impediment.

The Yeshiva is also unique in the diversity of its curriculum. Talmud study is supplemented with an unusually wide array of courses and programs, including Hasidut, history, philosophy, and community service, which are rarely offered in yeshivot hesder. The Tekoa Yeshiva takes an active role in encouraging students to undertake independent study, thus creating an atmosphere of constructive debate and creative expression.

Serving in the Army and in the Community:

Most of the Yeshiva's students serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as part of the hesder program. The army often presents a wide variety of spiritual challenges to those committed to maintaining a high level of religious observance. The Yeshiva ensures that its graduates are ready to devote themselves to serving their country while also serving their Creator, even under extenuating circumstances. Our students are uniquely prepared to work together with Jews of all backgrounds because of their experience in the diverse atmosphere of Tekoa.

In addition to their formal army service, students from the Yeshiva regularly volunteer to secure the area around surrounding Tekoa, a responsibility which includes organizing guard duty, living in the hills for short periods of time, and building small lookouts and shelters.

The Hesder Yeshiva maintains a strong commitment to giving back to the community as well. The students of the Yeshiva are engaged in all sorts of community service activities, including serving as paramedics and guards for the local emergency response teams, working with disabled children, teaching students in secular schools and after school programs, and studying privately with members of the Tekoa community. These activities not only enrich the yeshiva experience of the students, but also help the Yeshiva bring the message of social responsibility to the broader community.

A Personal Connection:

Rabbi Steinsaltz is the founder of the Hesder Yeshiva in Tekoa and remains committed to ensuring its continued success. Twice each week, he travels to Tekoa to meet with students, and many come for additional sessions in his Jerusalem office. Most importantly, the Rabbi meets with each student one-on-one in order to establish and nurture an open and intimate relationship. Such personal concern and contact with the head of a yeshiva is very rare in the hesder world but is an essential part of the unique Tekoa Yeshiva experience.

Faculty:

The Yeshiva faculty reflects Rabbi Steinsaltz's educational philosophy. Though they come from different backgrounds and reflect the widely differing perspectives of the haredi, modern, hasidic and academic worlds, they all share a profound love for Torah and the land and people of Israel. The faculty seeks to create an atmosphere rich with warmth and diversity to best prepare the students for a lifetime of involvement in the Jewish community.

Contact Us:

Yeshivat Hesder Tekoa

D.N. Hare Yehuda

Tekoa 90908

ISRAEL

Phone: 972-2-960-5095

Fax: 972-2-960-5094

E-mail: yeshtkoa@netvision.net.il