In an emotional and uplifting moment, the Golani Brigade welcomed a new group of recruits today, including seven lone soldiers from Yeshivat Sha’alvim’s American Program. As they reported for duty, they were surrounded by fellow students, rabbanim, and staff from the Yeshiva who accompanied them with singing, blessings, and heartfelt encouragement.
The group was led by Rav Yamer, a beloved Sha’alvim alumnus and veteran educator who has been at the Yeshiva since 1988. Rav Yamer’s shiur is widely regarded as one of the cornerstones of the Yeshiva experience, offering students deep methodological tools and a passion for learning that stays with them far beyond their years in the Beit Midrash. For over two decades, his impact has extended to overseas students, many of whom go on to serve in the IDF with a strong sense of mission and identity.
Yeshivat Sha’alvim, a leading Hesder Yeshiva, is known for its high-level Torah learning, its unique educational approach, and its commitment to shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders. The American Program in particular has become a home for young men from abroad who choose to immerse themselves in Torah while preparing to serve the Jewish people through the IDF.
Today’s drafting ceremony was more than a send-off—it was a powerful reflection of the Hesder ideal: the fusion of spiritual growth and national service. As these young men join one of the IDF’s most elite combat units, they carry with them the strength of their learning, the support of their Yeshiva, and the blessings of a community deeply proud of their courage and dedication.
