About Karvenu L’Avodatecha
An organization spreading Torah, Judaism and kindness, headed by our teacher HaRav HaGaon Refael Zer shlit”a – bringing the Jewish people closer to their Creator with love, simplicity, warmth and Ahavat Yisrael.
▶ Watch the introduction video Get to Know Our InstitutionsSince 1992
Every week
Every week
For youth
For families in need
On YouTube and social media
Who We Are
Karvenu L’Avodatecha has been active for 34 years, headed by our teacher HaRav HaGaon Refael Zer shlit”a, who has made it his mission to bring the Jewish people closer to their Creator with love and to make Torah accessible to every Jewish man and woman – with simplicity, warmth and Ahavat Yisrael. The rabbis at Karvenu focus especially on guiding young people who are searching for their purpose in the world, for holiness and for closeness to Hashem.
What makes Karvenu unique is reaching out to each and every person in many different ways: a personal, close relationship with every Jew, and a response in a variety of frameworks – from the yeshiva and youth programs to classes, newsletters and support for families.
Our programs address issues that matter to society as a whole – fighting violence, safe driving, preventing drugs and alcohol, honoring parents and “love your neighbor as yourself” – out of a desire for a better future for all.
The Rabbi’s Path
Our teacher the Rabbi began his activity many years ago, as a young man of 17. He began giving talks in synagogues between Mincha and Maariv out of love for his fellow Jews and a desire to bring merit to the public, traveling from one synagogue to the next to spread and glorify Torah.
After his marriage he studied Torah day and night at the kollel of HaRav Turgeman in Yehud, while continuing to give talks in synagogues as was his custom. Besides his regular classes, the Rabbi is invited to speak throughout Israel – the dates can be found in theschedule of classes around the country.
- 1992
Founding the Central Class in Yehud
The beginning was hard: the Rabbi did not stand on ceremony, going door to door and inviting residents to come to the synagogue and hear a Torah class. Within a short time the class became known, and hundreds of people began coming to the beit midrash. Following it, the first outreach yeshiva in Yehud was opened – andthe weekly class in Yehud continues to this day.
- 1996
The Central Class in Petah Tikva
The Rabbi moved to Petah Tikva and immediately founded the city’s central class, which still draws a large crowd every week.
- 2009
Founding the Karvenu L’Avodatecha Organization
After years of blessed work, our teacher decided to realize his vision and broaden his horizons, and founded the organization – meant to be a point of light for the whole world through charity and kindness, and to bring the Jewish people closer, by every possible means and with love and affection, to the path of truth and to the Creator.
The young men who came – who had not kept Shabbat and lacked faith and proper conduct – were shaped and grew into family men and Torah scholars who fear Heaven and practice kindness.
Our Institutions and Activities
The Karvenu L’Avodatecha institutions serve every age and every stage of life – from Torah study to helping families.
Yeshiva for Baalei Teshuva
Residential yeshiva for baalei teshuva – a warm, loving, home-like setting with hot meals, respected rabbis and a rosh yeshiva present all day, who serves as a true father to the students and offers advice and guidance around the clock.
Dedicate a day of learning at the yeshivaKollel “Meor Yisrael”
After a few years at the yeshiva, the students grow stronger, build wonderful homes and continue to toil in Torah in the kollel – and become qualified to serve as halachic authorities in Israel.
Dedicate a day of learning at the kollelKollel “Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh”
A Friday kollel where married men study, in depth and with diligence, the Torah of Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar – the holy Ohr HaChaim zy”a.
Dedicate a day of learning at the kollelEvening Midrashot for Youth
3 branches across Israel, where staff teach, guide and keep a personal connection – giving youth a learning framework that instills important values and closeness to Hashem.
Evening Midrashot for Girls
A warm learning framework for girls, with personal attention and the study of faith and good character, in a pleasant atmosphere.
Help for Families in Need
Before the holidays, hundreds of families come to the yeshiva offices and receive financial support for the holiday after an assessment of their situation – about ₪150,000 a year. Details about support for the needy.
Counseling and Shalom Bayit
A tower of light for hundreds of couples longing for peace in the home: free counseling sessions with the Rabbi, as well as advice and guidance for baalei teshuva and young couples.
Support for IDF Soldiers
During the recent war we distributed thousands of tzitzit, Tehillim books and inspirational books to IDF soldiers on the front lines protecting the Jewish people. More of Karvenu’s activity in the field.
Torah Classes and Broadcasts
The Rabbi’s classes take place almost every day of the week and are open to the public – over 1,000 men and women of all ages take part every week. Those who cannot attend can watch live, on YouTube, Facebook, the app and the “Kol Karvenu” line for kosher phones. A daily inspirational video is sent in the WhatsApp groups.
The “Zer Zahav” Publishing Institute
Responsible for distributing 21,000 copies of the weekly Shabbat newsletter in synagogues across Israel – Torah thoughts on the weekly portion, stories, halachot and a section on strengthening family bonds – as well as books, booklets and pamphlets.
🛒 To our bookshopThe YouTube channels of Rabbi Refael Zer and Rabbi Shmuel Zer, together with all our social media, reach millions of views every year.
What the Students Say
Many times the students have poured out their hearts in simple words – and this is only a drop in the ocean:
Only here at the yeshiva do I feel that someone truly cares about me.– A yeshiva student
I studied in yeshivot where they made me hate Torah, but when I met the Rabbi I understood what Torah really is.– A yeshiva student
The Rabbi is truly my source of life!– A yeshiva student
The Rabbis’ Books
The Publishing Institute has published books, halacha booklets and faith pamphlets by the rabbis, available in the website’s shop.
Books by our teacher Rabbi Refael Zer
- Zeroot Olam
- VeShav VeRafa Lo
- Re’acha Kamocha
- HaChizuk HaYomi (The Daily Inspiration)
- Lihiyot O Lo Lihiyot (To Be or Not to Be)
- Ein Ye’ush BaOlam (There Is No Despair)
- HaDor HaAcharon (The Last Generation)
Books by Rabbi Shmuel Zer
- Yesodot HaBitachon
- Pirkei Avot – Nezer Shmuel Commentary
- Tomer Devorah – Nezer Shmuel Commentary
- Melechet Yosef Series – Laws of Shabbat
Our Vision
The vision of our institutions is to grow, unite and strengthen the Karvenu community – tens of thousands of Jews who have changed their way of life to the path of Torah under the guidance of our teacher, and who follow his clear, uncompromising truth – with joy, love of Hashem and genuine fear of Heaven. We will achieve this by building a permanent building for the yeshiva, kindergartens and Talmud Torahs that give children a pure education, and spreading Torah and Judaism to every home in Israel.
Want to be a partner?
Every donation helps continue our activity – the yeshiva, the midrashot, the classes and support for families.
Donate to the Institution Building Contact UsKarvenu L’Avodatecha (registered nonprofit no. 580508836) · Phone: 03-9091313
