The Palestinian Authority teenage terrorist who thought he murdered Ari Fuld, hy”d, probably never dreamed he would ignite the kind of tsunami of Jewish activism that rose up in the wake of his murder just a few short weeks ago.
From newly-begun Torah lessons to a posthumous Israeli national civilian award for bravery, Ari’s life and even his death have become the catalyst for an entire new movement of Jewish activism, spurred by the stabbing the hands of a bloodthirsty young Arab.
One of the most prominent leaders in the new movement is Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh, an Religious Zionist Orthodox yeshiva located at the Western Wall Plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was founded in 2003 by the current Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Aharon Bina, and named after his father, Rabbi Aryeh Bina.
The yeshiva occupies a building that formerly housed the yeshiva of Rabbi Shlomo Goren, first head of the Military Rabbinate of the Israel Defense Forces and fourth Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. The majority of students are post high school, English-speaking students from the United States, with some students from England and Canada. Students at the Yeshiva study a curriculum consisting of Talmud, Nach, Halacha, Jewish Philosophy, Zionism, and Chassidut.
This week, the yeshiva announced a slew of new programs, all of which are dedicated in memory of Ari Yoel HY”D ben HaRav Yona.
The first is a new Thursday Night Educational Program for the soldiers in the IDF or those going to the IDF. “This will include classes given to current soldiers and mentoring our future recruits for the IDF,” the announcement said.
A second program is a Thursday Night All Night Learning Program Incentive program for the students of the yeshiva.
“Ari Fuld was a living and breathing example of a life of Torah,” the yeshiva announcement said. “Even though the tragedy of Ari’s passing occurred a mere few days before the Sukkot dedication of the Rennert Torah scrolls, Mr. Rennert, with the help of Rav Bina, was able to include an additional Rennert Torah dedicated in memory of Ari that could be presented to his family. A most appropriate tribute for Ari’s memory.”
In addition, the yeshiva annnounced the creation of The Ari Fuld Scholarship, to be awarded each year to a young couple “who embody the goals that Ari championed, which include a love for Eretz Yisroel (the Land of Israel) and viewing each day of life as an opportunity to help others.” The scholarship includes an opportunity to learn in the Yeshiva for a year, an apartment, and a monthly stipend. (If you are an alumnus and wish to apply contact [email protected].)
“Rabbi Ari Fuld was a true hero who loved the yeshiva and klal Yisroel,” a yeshiva official said. “Ari expressed this love through his actions. He would come to learn and teach in yeshiva as a staff member every day. Even when he left the yeshiva, he continued to come and learn all Thursday night. He would use his talents to spread a message of love for the land of Israel.
“The yeshiva will continue to try and develop these new programs that are true to Ari’s spirit. A terrorist may have attempted to silence Ari and all that he stands for. We will not be silenced.
“Our response as a yeshiva will be to do everything we can to honor his memory by creating future Ari Fulds.”