Who Vandalized a Room in the New Building of the Modi’in Hesder Yeshiva
On the night between Saturday and Sunday, unknown individuals broke into the new Beit Midrash building of the “Meir Harel” Hesder Yeshiva in Modi’in, dedicated to the memory of the fallen soldiers, Staff Sergeant Meir Shenvald, of blessed memory, and Lieutenant Harel Shrem, of blessed memory. The building is nearing completion. The intruders entered a room in the building and set it on fire, causing severe damage.
It is unclear what their motive was or why they set the place ablaze. They took advantage of the fact that the building, which is in its final stages, is not yet connected to all security and alarm systems and is not yet occupied. The Yeshiva administration filed a complaint with the police, but so far the police have not arrived at the site to investigate the circumstances of the incident. The Security Department of the Modiin Municipality has stepped in to assist with patrols at the site during the late-night hours.
This incident follows another recent event. During Chanukah, unknown individuals broke in and vandalized new firefighting equipment in the building, valued at thousands of shekels. The Yeshiva also filed a police complaint regarding this incident, but, as in the previous case, the police did not arrive at the site. The Yeshiva administration believes there is likely a connection between the incidents.
Rabbi Eliezer Shenvald, the Rosh Yeshiva, a Colonel in the Reserves, and a bereaved brother, stated:
“It is unclear to us who would have an interest in damaging the Yeshiva and harming the memory of the fallen. The Yeshiva’s students and Rabbis, who study Torah day and night, are fighters and commanders in the IDF. Many of them served in the war for an extended period. They are a driving force for unity in the city and contribute to the community. Many of the students volunteer as mentors for boys in the municipal Bar Mitzvah program: ‘Shahak Le’Bnei Mitzvah’, including boys with special needs, and are active in additional community initiatives. During the day, some of them serve as paramedics and medics, volunteering as first responders in the city, being dispatched to save lives as part of MDA at all hours of the day and night. Every week, families from the general public come to the Yeshiva to hold a Bar Mitzvah Torah reading free of charge.”
“The Yeshiva also serves as a home for city residents who come to study there weekly at no cost, as well as two groups of retirees - Hebrew and English speakers - who come to study every week. Community conferences are held there every year on the night of Hoshana Rabbah, during the Selichot period and the High Holy Days, and the Yeshiva participates in the communities' joy on Simchat Torah. The Yeshiva’s Rabbis also serve voluntarily as community Rabbis. The building, which is nearing completion, is also intended to serve the learning community in Modi’in, both religious and non-religious. The Yeshiva has existed in the city for twenty years, and nothing like this has ever happened.”
The Yeshiva administration stated that it expects the police to apprehend the intruders and prevent them from causing further damage to the Yeshiva building.
The Rosh Yeshiva added:
“The fire damaged the walls, ceilings, and doors, but not the spirit. In the face of those who tried to burn it down, we will continue and, with G-d’s help, complete the building, which will spread the light of Torah, mutual responsibility, and unity throughout the city.”
