One must understand the extent of the secular lifestyle in Kibbutz Nir Am to fully comprehend the significance of this report. The kibbutz, located in the Sderot area, is far from adopting a frum hashkafa. However, members of the Sderot branch of the Ariel chardal youth organization are committed to walk to the kibbutz on Shabbos to make sure there is a minyan. It is about a 20 minute walk from Sderot’s border.

The chevra who are part of this undertaking are in kibbutz on Friday night explain they are careful not to preach, but rather to openly welcome those wishing to take part in the Carlebach style kabolas Shabbos while assisting those who are unfamiliar with a siddur and the tefilla. In the future they hope to expand their effort to include a modest Kiddush after davening and some activities for the kibbutz children in the shul.

The head of the Sderot chapter of Ariel, Itamar Rosenberg says “We wish to thank Hashem for the privilege that has fallen in our hands, to be shluchim to spread Yiddishkheit and Torah and tefilla and may we succeed in fulfilling our shlichus in a fitting fashion through love and humility.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)