Yom Iyun on Religious Zionism at Orot Israel College

Michlelet Orot held recently a yom iyyun on the subject of "Our Relationship to Religious Zionism." This Yom Iyun was part of Orot's many planned year-round activities focusing on Religious Zionism. Guided by both President Rabbi Prof. Neria Guttel and Dean of Students Rabbi Dr. Moshe Rachimi, Orot has developed this thematic program with the knowledge that our students will soon become the educators that influence and shape the next generation of Israeli youth.
During the Yom Iyun, Rabbi Yona Goodman, Director of the Advanced Institute for Contemporary Education and Jewish Values, discussed "Religious Zionism as Identity", describing the challenges that we face as a larger religious community that does not adequately define itself, and directions for improvement. Dr. Vitela Arzi, head of the English department and Dr. Keren Goldfard exposed to the audience a unique joint project between Michlelet Orot and Yeshiva University. In addition, students in the dance department performed a dance they had developed on the topic of Religious Zionism under the guidance of Mrs. Talia Perlstein, head of the dance department. Rabbi Elyashiv Avihail clarified the positions of the great rabbis towards Zionism with a presentation edited by his son, Segev Paniel Avihail הי"ד. Segev was one of the eight young students tragically gunned down at Yeshivat Mercaz Harav in Jerusalem over a year ago. He had created his digital presentation during the year before his death. Watching his love for Israel on the screen demonstrated the power that love for Eretz Yisrael can have, especially from our youth. His presentation remains a living testimony to the purity of his heart and soul. May his soul rest in peace, and be a source of strength for his family and klal yisrael.