Bringing Jewish Values to the Heart of Israeli Media

Last week: They gathered around the grave of the Chatam Sofer. Dozens of families of captives sang heartfelt songs of emotion and faith, praying and hoping to finally reunite with their loved ones, who have been in Gaza for nearly a year, eagerly awaiting the best news possible.

Many of these families had likely never thought to visit the graves of tzadikim, either in Israel or abroad. Yet it was David Druck, their caring guide over recent months, who initiated this move alongside Riki Siton, manager of the 'Havruta' organization of Ayelet Hashachar, creating deeply moving and profound moments in the holy site. And no, it wasn’t the first time he brought them together, nor will it be the last.

A Clear Rationale

For over a decade, Druck has been quietly working behind the scenes, striving to spread Jewish values across Israel. He works tirelessly, without fanfare, accomplishing what seems impossible by engaging with celebrities and opinion leaders, effectively conveying the essential messages of Jewish heritage to the pulsating hearts of Israel.

Once a week, he studies the Talmud with media figure Yinon Magal, at other times with journalist Aral Segal or broadcaster Yotam Zimri. He frequently meets Minister Amichai Shikli, who himself noted that his most moving experience was at the mikvah in Mezhibizh. In general, he consults with many influential Israelis who impact a broad audience.

with Yinon Magal, at Rabbi Kanievsky, celebrating the completion of a tractate studied together, with his children

together with Minister Amichai Shikli

with businessman Erez Zadok, studying with him, at Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky

"I’ve had a desire to engage in outreach since I was a child," Druck shares. "Coming from a Litvish home, having studied at Hebron Yeshiva, I’ve always been involved in this field, dreaming of making a larger impact, touching as many lives as possible. Over time, I concluded there are two main ways to influence – either by being a significant figure yourself, or by impacting broad audiences through influential people and utilizing current events to emphasize Jewish values."

Can you explain the rationale?

"The rationale is clear. I'm not a journalist or a media and politics professional, but if I, for instance, study with Yinon Magal and initiate various projects with him, it naturally influences many others. This is also why I maintain a strong connection with the captives' headquarters, as I believe they concentrate a large and significant audience of the Israeli people whom I wish to influence, strengthen, and empower."

Druck shares that he named his organization 'Kisufim,' inspired by the verse in Psalms "My soul longs, even faints, for the courtyards of Hashem." "I truly believe that within every Jewish soul, there's a yearning for Hashem's courtyards, and my sole mission is to awaken this feeling through spirit and tradition. Everything else will follow, as it already exists."

Jewish Projects

Druck operates entirely voluntarily, receiving no financial compensation. One of his well-known projects, launched with media personality Yehuda Isikovitz, involved meeting between religious and secular people with psychologist Yael Doron, not from a political stance, but understanding that by coming together, one can better understand each other, thus influencing positively.

Today, he continues to regularly study with journalists, media individuals, and spokespersons. "Only today, one texted me, saying he forgot to put on tefillin the day before and asked if he could do it twice today... such messages warm my heart, not due to any political achievement, but because I believe that through these individuals, we can expand our audience, influence more worshippers, and thus communicate messages and drive projects forward.

"Part of this was initiating a project with a media figure well-known onscreen, where we managed to collect 150 sets of tefillin, distributing them to people who hadn’t worn them before, each one dedicating them to a specific captive’s merit.

"At the outset of the war, I was also involved in securing funding for 100,000 tzitzit to be sent to the brave soldiers fighting in Gaza. Following that, we spent two months traveling from base to base across the country, distributing chulent to soldiers—not just providing meals, but uplifting spirits."

distributing tzitzit to soldiers

distributing chulent to soldiers

with youth from midrashot in southern Tel Aviv outside Rabbi Kanievsky’s home

In recent months, Druck has advanced the Yissachar and Zebulun project, initiated by Yinon Magal, in collaboration with Rabbi Naftali Wasserman's 'Connected to Torah' group. "This project, entirely funded by traditional supporters, raises significant funds for scholars in the Jewish community, with 200 scholars receiving 613 shekel each month," he proudly shares. "By the way, my partners understand the tremendous importance of this and don’t take any profit. For example, the renowned PR specialist Yarach Tucker led the Yissachar and Zebulun campaign, yet despite his vast experience, he didn’t take a cent. He worked solely for the sake of heaven, understanding that this is not for earning, but is a mission."

Connection and Closeness

Druck takes a moment to pause, responding to a message from a senior state figure’s spokesperson reminding him of his father's yahrzeit on the 25th of Elul. "I promised to complete a tractate in his father’s memory," Druck shares about someone you wouldn’t typically expect to even know what a tractate is.

"There are many such people," Druck calmly states, "and they keep coming, clearly seeking strength and connection to Judaism."

How do you explain this?

"I believe today’s return to faith differs from decades past. Previously, the debate was about the existence of Hashem. In our time, when everything is accessible, people aren’t searching for rationale but are instead exploring if Judaism appeals to them emotionally. This is evident in social media, TikTok, and every digital platform. People simply feel drawn to Judaism, experiencing the truth, ‘Taste and see that Hashem is good.’ Here lies the great responsibility of the religious sector; as we outwardly display the beauty and pleasantness of Judaism, more people are drawn to it."

But how do you attract them? What do you tell them?

"Believe me, there's no secret here, just adhering to the teaching in Pirkei Avot: ‘Anyone who is pleasing to Hashem is pleasing to others, and one who is pleasing to others is pleasing to Hashem.’ I believe people know this and can perceive who genuinely approaches them with connection and closeness, versus those seeking ulterior motives."

There’s a feeling that as the right-wing strengthens, so does the polarization from the left. Don’t you sense this?

"I know that’s how it appears externally, but the truth is different. I have ongoing ties with people aligned with the left, including journalists in media bodies not identified with the right, yet we lead beautiful collaborative projects."

with Rebbetzin Siton, Mrs. Juli Kuperstein, and families of captives, along with Chabad emissary Rabbi Reskin in Budapest

Privileged to Influence

Druck dedicates his entire day to outreach activities, and for the past five years, he has delivered lessons via Twitter, viewed regularly by hundreds. He ensures not to earn from these efforts, working nights on research for governmental bodies related to the Haredi society and providing Zoom lessons to subscribers for income.

"I don't work solo," he emphasizes, "The activities with the captives' headquarters are conducted alongside Riki Siton, manager of ‘Havruta’ of Ayelet Hashachar, as well as with Haredi media figure Israel Cohen. I strive to involve additional organizations if needed. I also collaborate with Rabbi Or Ziv, Chabad emissary in Katamonim, conducting gatherings for notable individuals. Many such opportunities arise through connections with other organizations, which don’t seek personal credit but truly desire to influence. This is crucial, especially in the past year when people ask many questions, searching for someone to provide the right answers."

And yet, are there questions you don’t know how to answer?

He pauses, "You’ve touched the most painful point," he eventually replies. "Yes, sometimes situations are so tough, you struggle to find the words. That was the case with the Serusi family, whose son Almog was held captive by Hamas for nine months before being murdered in a tunnel. I accompanied the Serusi family during this challenging period, witnessing their profound journey towards Judaism. They traveled to numerous tzadikim's graves, from Kiryat Arba to Meron, visited great sages across all sectors, undergoing an inspiring transformation until, tragically, we received the news of Almog’s body being retrieved from Gaza.

"I attended the funeral, where, even before it started, Almog’s father approached me, asking, ‘Rabbi David, we made a deal with Hashem – our entire family would return to faith, and we’d get our son back. We kept our side, but He didn’t. How could this happen?’ He asked this deeply painful and challenging question.

"I won’t elaborate on the answer here, as it's lengthy, and I shared it with him only during the shiva, but I must emphasize one thing – if you truly want to be heard, you must feel the question and understand the pain it stems from. I strive to reach this understanding, and I believe that is why I’m graced with Divine assistance; I see Hashem with me every moment and simply thank Him for allowing me to be in this position and make an impact."