In response to the events of October 7th and the ‘Swords of Iron’ War, the Herzog Center, together with the support of the Sapir Center, established Batei Midrash study groups for the residents of the western Negev. These groups are aimed at strengthening the local spirit and the connections and affiliations between the local residents.
The study groups:
“Family Support” Beit Midrash –
A study group that meets once every two weeks and is intended for residents of the south – the western Negev region and the Gaza envelope/border region – to discuss Jewish sources concerning the family as an anchor and a challenge during times of crisis, and as a means to grow from out of crisis.
“Learning from the Pain” Beit Midrash –
A study group for women from the communities of the Gaza envelope who were evacuated to the Dead Sea (Be’eri, Sa’ad, etc.). The group examines Jewish sources from the Bible to modern poetry as sources of strength for Jewish women throughout the generations.
“Southern Women” Beit Midrash –
A program that brings together religious and secular women from the south in ten sessions of joint study of Jewish texts and creative endeavor to build a southern Jewish-female identity. The Beit Midrash was held at Kibbutz Ein Tzurim.