Sderot, Israel – After years of enduring Kassam attacks from Gaza, Sderot’s hesder yeshiva plans to consecrate on Thursday a specially-built, rocket-proof Beit Midrash, or study hall, the first of its kind ever erected in Israel.
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The five-story building was constructed using tons of reinforced concrete, along with blast-proof windows and other specially-designed structural components, yeshiva spokesman Josh Hasten said.
The aim, he said, is to protect teachers and students in the event that the yeshiva suffered a direct hit as a result of Palestinian rocket fire.
The school, which has been operating in Sderot for 15 years, has over 500 students who combine military service with traditional yeshiva studies.
Its founder, Rabbi David Fendel, said that, “the completion of the beit midrash and our dedication celebration demonstrates to our enemies that their goal of turning Sderot into a ghost town has failed.”
He added that building in Sderot “is the ultimate Zionist response to the rocket attacks.”
Asked about the new beit midrash, yeshiva student Motti Maya said, “Our classes used to be held in caravans and whenever there was a siren indicating a rocket attack, we had to stop class and run to the bomb shelters for our lives.”
“Now, since our new building is ‘Kassam-proof,’ we don’t have to flee,” he said.
A fourth-year student who served in the IDF’s elite Kfir infantry brigade, Maya said that he chose to study in Sderot “despite the rockets, because I wanted to be involved in helping the Jewish people. Things were tough down here, but I think we have made a real difference for the residents.”
Among those scheduled to attend the dedication ceremony are Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger and Sderot Mayor David Bouskila.
Why not just build underground?
And which dumb bochur wants to be the test dummy?
Reminds me of the story in chelm where they have a dangerous bridge and at the meeting for a solution, decide to build a hospital nearby instead of just fixing the bridge
i actually spent a shabbos with rabbi fendel in sderot 2 years ago he and his yeshiva are really special.
Excellent, this will show the arabs, that our best weapon, limud hatorah will continue despite them firing rockets at us, we will for sure will the battle then, yasher koach and hatzlocha rabah!!
I was in this building while it was being constructed. It’s made out of solid concrete, reinforced steel, and cinder blocks. Very impressive.
It reminded me of the 3rd little pig who built his house from bricks, so the big bad wolf couldn’t blow it down.
A shanda! This is 60 yrs after the State’s founding! They can’t take care of a few thousand punks with rockets. Bring Putin in, he’ll do a Chechnya on those scum in a minute.
Haba lehorgoch hashkeim lehorgoi
will they hang the sign from the titanic out front?