Sdot Yam was started in 1940 as a completely secular kibbutz. More than 10 years ago there started to be an awakening within the community and many people started to be chozer btushva which created a quaint little community within. Those involved searched for a building which they could use as a shul. The Kibbutz gave them an old building. After this they decided that they would raise the money themselves. There was a small sign on cardboard placed outside the dining hall asking people to write how much money they were donating to the cause, no more than 300 shkalim.  With this money they created a truly respectable shul, a true mikdash me’at. Like many other villages and kibbutzim they turned to Ayelet HaShachar for help with things pertaining to spirituality.  Ayelet HaShachar has seen to it that they have Rabbanim sent there to give shiurim and run programing throughout the Jewish calendar. They have Torah oriented seminars and send Avreichem to strengthen their prayers during the high holidays.

One of the members of the community is Tal Lev Ari. His father is Daniel Rabs, who lives near Netanya. Daniel decided to take upon himself to donate a sefer Torah. His relationship with Ayelet HaShachar started when he saw an advertisement asking for help in finding furniture for a kibbutz called Givram. He and a few of his friends pulled together the needed furniture.

There is a truly emotional story behind this sefer Torah. The Sefer Torah came from Hungary and survived World War II. He donated this in honor of the one family member from Hungary who survived the war. He chose the shul in Sdot Yam because that is where it was needed. During the ceremonial dedication, Rav Avraham Shinan, who learns with HaRav Shteineman shlit”a every morning, spoke.

He told the following story: That 72 years ago the Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Uziel sent a letter to the members of the kibbutz regarding their desire to operate a flotilla on Shabbos.

HaRav Uziel apologized for the letter but begged them not to do such a thing because in his words: “We came back from galus not to desecrate Shabbos but rather to keep it and make it holy”.  In the end of his letter he blessed them that in the merit of keeping Shabbos Torah will emanate from their kibbutz.

HaRav Shinan continued saying that after 72 years we see that the promise is coming to fruition. Torah is emanating from Sedot Yam and be”H also sifri Torah Chaim will be produced as well. After the ceremony the rav blessed those praying there.

Rav Alaluf and Daniel Rabs also spoke at the ceremony. In Ayelet HaShachar people talked about the weather. It was a stormy and dreary day. The rain kept coming and coming. There was only a short break from the said rain that was from 7-7:45, that was the time that they were dancing the Sefer Torah to its new home. There was joyous music, singing and dancing. And then the rain started again.