About the Yeshiva
The Spirit of the Yeshiva
The unique spirit of Yeshivat Hesder Maalot springs from the blend of army service and Torah learning in the Galilee development town of Maalot.The fulfillment of this Hesder philosophy is further enhanced by the Yeshiva's commitment to bridging the gaps that exist among diverse residents, and forever avoiding future tragedy by maintaining both a military and Torah presence.
The beautiful town of Maalot is located in the Western Galilee, 20 km east of Nahariya, and less than an hour's drive from Haifa. Maalot was founded in the 1950s when hundreds of thousands of immigrants came to Israel from North Africa. The Israeli Government at the time decided to place new immigrants in development towns, such as Maalot.
Maalot's municipality is actually called Maalot-Tarshicha, where Tarshicha is an Arab town adjacent to Maalot. This is the only township in Israel with a dual Israeli-Arab municipality.
Maalot came to world prominence when terrorists demanding the release of terrorists imprisoned in Israel stole into town from Lebanon and took hostage hundreds of pupils staying overnight in a local grammar school. This was one of the first civilian terrorist operations in Israel, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) paid dearly for its lessons: at the end of a terrible massacre, 22 children and five adults were killed and many others wounded. Yeshivat Hesder Maalot Yaakov was established a year later as a Zionist response.
Security
Our students, who are excellently-trained combat soldiers, enhance the atmosphere with faith, national pride and high esteem in every area they reach. Their presence in the Galilee is vital, and contributes to the security of the entire region. The flourishing of the Yeshiva is the true answer to our enemies who want residents of the North to flee their homes, perhaps to move to the center of the country.
The Unique Spirit of Army and Yeshiva Study
The Hesder Yeshiva Maalot Yaakov (in memory of Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Herzog z"l) was founded in order to ensure security, raiseeducational standards, and provide social and cultural activities.The program consists of students who come to Maalot at age 18 for a year and a half of Jewish studies, then serve in the IDF for another year and a half, after which they return for another two years.
We learn from Chazal (our Sages) that responsibility for the spiritual condition of our nation falls on the Torah leaders of the time.Their task is to reach out to every settlement in Israel to teach Torah and to sanctify G-d's name (Tana D'vi Eliahu). This responsibility is the basic tenet of our educational approach.
The educational projects of our student have made a tremendous impact upon Maalot. Our students have chosen not to study in an ivory tower. They volunteer as teachers in the local schools, as tutors and "Big Brothers" for youngsters with learning difficulties. There is also a program for gifted children to advancethem in their Torah studies. Similar activities take place in Karmiel, Nahariya, Akko and in the northern suburbs of Haifa. The Yeshiva is an open center for all who wish to learn Torah during after-work hours.
One of the most important targets of the Israeli Government is to bring Jews to the Galilee. Quality education and security are very important factors in motivating people to come live in the north. Hundreds of families have come to Maalot because of our institution and, every year, many of our graduates choose to build their homes in the Galilee.
A Common Dialog
Our teachers, graduates, and students have been bridging the gap between religious and non-religious residents of the Western Galilee as they organize workshops and lectures in the surrounding moshavim and kibbutzim on issues of Zionism and Torah. Our students are welcomed in Kibbutz Hanita of the Western Galilee, in Kfar Vradim, Alma, Achiud, Ein Yaakov, Avivim, and others.
We were a working partner in one of the most important na