Beyond the classroom: How schools shape the generation fighting for Israel

The article discusses how Israeli schools, particularly yeshiva high schools, have shaped a generation committed to responsibility and service, exemplified by the sacrifices made during the "Iron Swords" war. The author, who oversees a network of schools, highlights the loss of 26 alumni, including Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, emphasizing that their education instilled values of living Torah and prioritizing collective good over self-interest. Knesset member Chili Tropper, an alumnus of Neveh Shmuel Yeshiva High School, noted the heavy toll on his alma mater, stating, "It is doubtful whether there is another educational institution that has lost so many of its graduates in the ‘Iron Swords’ war." The article also addresses the need for schools to support students and faculty dealing with grief and trauma, while continuing to foster an education that connects learning to lived action and meaningful engagement with Israeli society.