October 18, 2013
Volume 13, Issue 3
Parshat Vayera 5:54 pm
IDF visits MDS
by Avichai Solomons
We welcomed Yoni Seraf to Manhattan Day School. As a former paratrooper, Yoni served in Tzahal from 2003-2006. He described his early life in Ashkelon and his military service, especially in the “Second Lebanon War.” Service in Tzahal is compulsory, but choices in different divisions are possible. Soldiers are committed to the country and also are paid minimally for their time during the three years of service (about $200 a month!)
During his mission in the “Lebanon War,” he was sent to find the Hezbollah that were attempting to kidnap soldiers and attack Israeli citizens. When he and his six comrades were inside enemy territory
his unit was brutally attacked. With hand to hand combat, the few overcame the many. They found ammunition, stored among schools, mosques and houses, and managed to uncover and destroy them without hurting the population. Yoni’s group continued its mission without provisions for three days.
Yoni praised MDS for its commitment to Zionism and Lashon Hakodesh. He thanked Rabbi Zimberg who recited the tfillah for Medinat Yisrael. We look forward to more programs in support of Israel and the IDF.