Rav Drukman was a significant leader of the Dati Leumi (Religious and Zionist) community in Israel for over 60 years. He served as a rebbe, mentor and adviser to many in the OU, and was a warm and uplifting presence when he interacted with OU Israel programs.
Rav Drukman was a disciple of Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt”l and a student at Yeshivat Mercaz Harav. A consummate talmid chacham, Rav Drukman’s contribution to Jewish education around the world is legendary. As one of the first shlichim to the US in the 1950’s, Rav Drukman helped create numerous Torah initiatives in North America. Back in Israel, Rav Drukman was a pioneer of Torah education in Israel including the Hesder yeshiva movement, Yeshiva High schools, Kollels for Rabbinic education, post high school seminaries for girls, cheders for children and more. Rav Drukman was the founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Ohr Etzion in Mercaz Shapira. He also led the network of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva which include over 100 institutions throughout Israel. His indefatigable and energetic leadership inspired thousands.
Rav Drukman was a dedicated leader and teacher. He was caring, warm and loving to all who knew him, despite his extraordinarily busy schedule. He was a member of the Israeli Knesset for 14 years, and a recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Israel Prize and the Jerusalem Prize.
View PDF tribute by Rabbi Avi Berman from the OU Israel Center
May his family and myriad talmidim and followers be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים