Since October 7th, 2023, many NYHS alumni, staff, and Seattleites have answered the call to join the Israeli Defense Forces. 

Zeeke Clayman, who graduated from NYHS in 2024, started thinking about joining the IDF before the events of Oct 7th, and volunteered to join when the events of Oct. 7th unfolded. 

“When I went on a gap year, and all my counselors were lone soldiers in combat units, it opened up my eyes to the possibility of doing [joining the IDF],” he said. 

Clayman said his father told him he was crazy. “He said, ‘Come home, I miss you,’ then I came back to America.” So he did, attending Western Washington University in Bellingham. (Full disclosure: Clayman is the author’s brother.)

Then, the events of Oct. 7 happened, and he saw on the news that the Israel Defense Forces needed 200,000 combat soldiers. 

“I made a promise to myself to join,” Clayman said.

Now Clayman is in the 141st Armored Division as a loader in a tank.

Maytal Rosenfeld is a freshman at NYHS. Her older brother, Michael Rosenfeld who graduated in 2022-2023, is currently serving in the army for communications. His main job is to fix and maintain radio equipment. Rosenfeld began considering joining the army during his first year of yeshiva in Israel. 

“My main reason is investing in my future in Israel,” said Rosenfeld. “It’s a necessary part of being in Israeli society.”

Rosenfeld’s family supported his decision to join the IDF. 

“They obviously miss me, especially since I was supposed to be back for Pesach,” said Rosenfeld. He was unable to due to the 12-day war with Iran and Israel.

“It was a bummer.”

According to Rosenfeld, it is necessary to join the IDF to be a part of Israeli society 

“I had to [join the IDF] to fit in,” Rosenfeld said.

Head of Judaic Studies Rabbi Yonatan Himelstein joined NYHS after serving in the IDF as second in command over 80 soldiers in a combat unit. Himelstein was a teacher in Israel, and he came to NYHS to teach Judaics. 

“It’s extremely hard for me not to be there with my guys,” said Himelstein. “They’re all there, and I’m not there now, but that’s because we’re here.”

Himelstein claims that the war caught everyone off guard. He says that the experience was not easy but very meaningful. Once he moves back to Israel, he says he will speak with his commander and let him know he’s back, and the commander will let him know whenever they need him to serve in the reserves. 

“People do not understand how difficult it is, but it’s a ton of people that they’re giving their all for Israel,” said Himelstein. “It’s benefiting every Jew in the world, the job that’s going on in Israel.” 

Clayman agrees. “I think for people who haven’t lived in Israel through the war it’s hard to explain what it’s like on the ground,” he said. 

However, “it’s time for all the Jews to come home. We are waiting.”