Rabbi Yitzhak Bar-Haim shared with the Minister of Justice: “It used to be that when a soldier entered a Haredi neighborhood, he wasn’t immediately marked for assault, but today, both he and his family are targets for extremist groups. This harms both the solider and his extended family as far as shidduchim and schooling options for the kids. More and more soldiers are submitting requests for uniform exemptions out of fear of being slighted, and not just in cities like Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, but also in Ashdod, Haifa, Netivot, and others.”

Another issue raised during the meeting was that of lone soldiers—the dozens of Haredi soldiers who, practically, are estranged from their parents, but are ineligible for lone solider status following IDF criteria. Rabbis explained that the issue results partly because the army requires the soldiers’ parents to sign specific documents, but the parents refuse to comply. On the other end, they added, even soldiers recognized for lone soldier status lose many benefits that they are due to receive, such as residing in Beit Hachayal, since conditions there are unsuitable for Haredi lifestyle. Instead, Nahal Haredi Organization arranges for several apartments in Jerusalem where Haredi soldiers are welcome to live during the period of the army service.

Minister Shaked commended the Nahal Haredi Organization for their blessed efforts on behalf of Haredi soldiers and, after her visit, expressed that “Netzach Yehuda (Nahal Haredi) has played a key role in drafting Haredi solders into the IDF throughout the past years. The government will do everything in its power to support Haredi soldiers serving our country and promote their employment in the public sector in the years thereafter. Integrating Haredi soldiers into the workforce is one of the primary interests of the State of Israel, and it is the government’s responsibility to, foremost, care for those who serve the nation.”

Yesterday (Tuesday), Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked paid a visit to the official center of Nahal Haredi Organization which escorts Haredi soldiers throughout their army service and thereafter. In the course of her visit, Shaked met with Association rabbis, Brigade Rabbi Shaul Avdiel; IDF officers; battalion alumni; and Mr. David Hager who is one of the chief proponents and supporters of Haredi soldiers in the IDF, to discuss major issues and challenges faced by Haredi youth who aspire to serve in the army. Nahal Haredi’s rabbis took the opportunity to thank Minister Shaked for her vocal support of Haredi soldiers in the IDF and her state advocacy activities against extremist parties that incite against soldiers, presenting her with a special gift of appreciation. Rabbi Yitzhak Bar-Haim shared with the Minister of Justice: “It used to be that when a soldier entered a Haredi neighborhood, he wasn’t immediately marked for assault, but today, both he and his family are targets for extremist groups. This harms both the solider and his extended family as far as shidduchim and schooling options for the kids. More and more soldiers are submitting requests for uniform exemptions out of fear of being slighted, and not just in cities like Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, but also in Ashdod, Haifa, Netivot, and others.” Another issue raised during the meeting was that of lone soldiers—the dozens of Haredi soldiers who, practically, are estranged from their parents, but are ineligible for lone solider status following IDF criteria. Rabbis explained that the issue results partly because the army requires the soldiers’ parents to sign specific documents, but the parents refuse to comply. On the other end, they added, even soldiers recognized for lone soldier status lose many benefits that they are due to receive, such as residing in Beit Hachayal, since conditions there are unsuitable for Haredi lifestyle. Instead, Nahal Haredi Organization arranges for several apartments in Jerusalem where Haredi soldiers are welcome to live during the period of the army service. Minister Shaked commended the Nahal Haredi Organization for their blessed efforts on behalf of Haredi soldiers and, after her visit, expressed that “Netzach Yehuda (Nahal Haredi) has played a key role in drafting Haredi solders into the IDF throughout the past years. The government will do everything in its power to support Haredi soldiers serving our country and promote their employment in the public sector in the years thereafter. Integrating Haredi soldiers into the workforce is one of the primary interests of the State of Israel, and it is the government’s responsibility to, foremost, care for those who serve the nation.” Yesterday (Tuesday), Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked paid a visit to the official center of Nahal Haredi Organization which escorts Haredi soldiers throughout their army service and thereafter. In the course of her visit, Shaked met with Association rabbis, Brigade Rabbi Shaul Avdiel; IDF officers; battalion alumni; and Mr. David Hager who is one of the chief proponents and supporters of Haredi soldiers in the IDF, to discuss major issues and challenges faced by Haredi youth who aspire to serve in the army. Nahal Haredi’s rabbis took the opportunity to thank Minister Shaked for her vocal support of Haredi soldiers in the IDF and her state advocacy activities against extremist parties that incite against soldiers, presenting her with a special gift of appreciation. Rabbi Yitzhak Bar-Haim shared with the Minister of Justice: “It used to be that when a soldier entered a Haredi neighborhood, he wasn’t immediately marked for assault, but today, both he and his family are targets for extremist groups. This harms both the solider and his extended family as far as shidduchim and schooling options for the kids. More and more soldiers are submitting requests for uniform exemptions out of fear of being slighted, and not just in cities like Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, but also in Ashdod, Haifa, Netivot, and others.” Another issue raised during the meeting was that of lone soldiers—the dozens of Haredi soldiers who, practically, are estranged from their parents, but are ineligible for lone solider status following IDF criteria. Rabbis explained that the issue results partly because the army requires the soldiers’ parents to sign specific documents, but the parents refuse to comply. On the other end, they added, even soldiers recognized for lone soldier status lose many benefits that they are due to receive, such as residing in Beit Hachayal, since conditions there are unsuitable for Haredi lifestyle. Instead, Nahal Haredi Organization arranges for several apartments in Jerusalem where Haredi soldiers are welcome to live during the period of the army service. Minister Shaked commended the Nahal Haredi Organization for their blessed efforts on behalf of Haredi soldiers and, after her visit, expressed that “Netzach Yehuda (Nahal Haredi) has played a key role in drafting Haredi solders into the IDF throughout the past years. The government will do everything in its power to support Haredi soldiers serving our country and promote their employment in the public sector in the years thereafter. Integrating Haredi soldiers into the workforce is one of the primary interests of the State of Israel, and it is the government’s responsibility to, foremost, care for those who serve the nation.”