Nahal Haredi : a positive revolution In Israeli society

Ten years ago the term Nahal Haredi would have been an oxymoron. Nahal, a distinguished component of the Israel Defense Force that combines army service with a work-oriented ethic, and Haredim, a term often used to describe elements of Orthodox Jewish society that limit or avoid connection with the IDF, were contradictory concepts. Today, ten years later, Nahal Haredi, a three-year IDF program of service, is a 'gedud' — a combat-ready battalion of 600 soldiers, 275 trainees, and 125 participants in the third year educational-vocational program. There is also a reserve battalion of former Nahal Haredi soldiers and a nice number who have joined the IDF as officers. The long-range plan is to increase the yearly recruitment numbers so that the Nahal Haredi will eventually become a small 'chativa' — a brigade of three battalions.

This brigade is not just window dressing for public relations. It is a serious combat unit that has been assigned to one of the most dangerous areas in Israel, the region around Jenin. The soldiers have served with distinction and have captured and killed terrorists. They have been recognized for their courage in combat and for their success in controlling Palestinian terrorism in their zone.

How did this all happen? A group of haredi educators recognized that not every yeshiva student was thriving in the Bais Medrash. Not every student was destined to become a rabbi or educator. Entree into Israeli working society is through the army. Since haredim generally do not serve, they also do not work. Unless one comes from or marries into a wealthy family, many haredi men (who also do not matriculate) are destined for a life of being an eternal member of a Kollel, dependent on government welfare supplements, and collecting abroad for assistance. With the approval of some courageous haredi rabbinic leaders, these educators took the bold step of approaching Yehudah Duvdevani, a retired IDF officer and a hero of the Sinai battle during the Yom Kippur War, with the idea of creating the Nahal Haredi.

Duvdevani embraced the idea, which included unprecedented concessions from both sides. They agreed that haredim would serve in a combat Nahal unit to include education, matriculation possibilities, and vocational training in the third year. The IDF would provide a base without female soldiers, special haredi kashrut supervision, Orthodox officers (from the Religious Zionist, or ‘tziyoni dati torani’ community), and allow for daily lectures by haredi educators. The army paid for a lot but not everything. The haredi organizers would have to pay for the daily shiurim, the recruitment, and the personal needs of the haredi soldiers. Today about 65 percent of the unit comes from the haredi sector and 35 percent from the religious Zionist sector. The unit was named Netzach Yehuda after Yehuda Duvdevani.

It has not been an easy road. Some of the haredi soldiers became "lone soldiers” (bodedim); no longer welcomed home by their families who could not accept ideologically that their son was serving in the IDF. Many came from poor families who could not assist them if they were married or wanted to marry. The Friends of the IDF, a wonderful organization that supplements recreational and social needs of Israeli soldiers by building batai chayal (recreational centers) has not yet embraced the Nahal Haredi because it is too small and because of the fact that haredim require a separate all-male bait chayal. These are very costly projects that must be funded privately along with recruitment and the daily shiurim. The difficulties that Nahal Haredi faces in raising funds are threefold. First, people mistakenly think that the IDF pays for everything. Secondly, too many in the Tziyoni community refuse to fund a project that they feel the haredi community should fund. Thirdly, too many in the haredi community will not fund a Zionist cause like the IDF.

People should realize that Nahal Haredi plays a vital role in Israel, bridging a major social gap. Many people see the haredi sector as only "takers" who do not share their most precious possessions, their sons, with the Jewish state that supports them and protects them. Nahal Haredi partially fills that void and demonstrates that there are haredim who fight for Israel. The graduates of the Nahal Haredi will be gainfully employed, earn a living, and contribute to the Israeli economy. They also help solve a serious manpower problem in Israel. Radical left non-governmental organizations such as New Profile, supported by the New Israel Fund, Peace Now, the EU and others have succeeded in raising draft dodging to an alarmingly high level. Nahal Haredi and Shahar Hadash (another IDF project for haredim) help alleviate the problem.

Supporting Nahal Haredi is vital to the future well being of the IDF, haredi society, and Israeli society. Tax-deductible contributions can be made out to Nahal Haredi, 586 Sunderland Rd., Teaneck, NJ. 07666.