(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Beit Shemesh Mayor Dr. Aliza Bloch on Sunday morning participated in the opening ceremony of an IDF mechina yeshiva in the city, Mechinat Yedidya. The mayor met with the yeshiva’s 50 talmidim, 19 and 20-year-olds.

The yeshiva is being funded by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Defense, designed for high school graduates and for religious students from all over the country. During their studies, the talmidim will acquire both valuable and practical tools and become active enterprising partners in Israeli society, as well as doing and giving in various circles; personal, community and national. This is part of significant learning which takes place prior to recruitment into the IDF.

The yeshiva, which was in Gush Etzion for the past eight years, has moved to Beit Shemesh. It is headed by Rav Shmuel Natanzon.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photos: Beit Shemesh News)