A couple of years ago Jewish American blogger Jill asked me to write about haredim and army exemptions. Then in April, a young haredi man left an anonymous comment on that post. I like the way that he appears open about his reasons, even though he seems to realize that some appear superficial. This is an extremely contentious topic. Sometimes I fear that we are headed for a civil war. My intention is to provide a platform for honest, open and above all respectful dialogue on this topic. Haredim are part of a system that has been in place for decades, and it is not a simple thing to make changes. Please keep this in mind if you choose to respond. Here is the comment, with only … [Read more...]
Interview with My Son on Religious Accommodations in the Hesder Army Program
December 20, 2010 by 40 Comments
A while back on Twitter I got into a conversation about why most Haredim don't go into the army. Intermingling of the sexes was mentioned as one reason, and questions came up about the conditions of hesder students. My son E., who entered a hesder platoon last April, agreed to answer a few questions. Hesder means "arrangement." It was designed as a way to allow religious men to enter the army under conditions that make it easier to remain religiously observant, and learn in yeshiva as well. Throughout the interview E. refers to the hesder students as beinishim, an acronym of bnei yeshiva or yeshiva students. What is the hesder program? E: Beinishim (hesder students) serve for 1 year … [Read more...]
We’re All in the Same Boat: Yom Kippur in the Navy
September 21, 2010 by 7 Comments
This is a guest post by DR, the father who shared his son's experience during the Marmara incident: Exclusive Account of Gaza Flotilla Violence. We're All in the Same Boat: Yom Kippur in the Navy A large proportion of commanders in the IDF are religiously observant, and the numbers are growing. Some do three years of army service after a year or more in a yeshiva or mechina combining Jewish studies and army preparation. Others go to a yeshivat hesder, combining study and military service for a total of five years. The hesder program sends soldiers to combat units, the Intelligence Corps, and auxiliary divisions of the IDF. For the past three years, the Naval Division has joined … [Read more...]
In Which the Army Makes an Unnecessary Accommodation
April 4, 2010 by 7 Comments
Image by Getty Images via Daylife Last year before Pesach (Passover), I was chatting with an Orthodox American friend via the internet. "Do you make only one seder?" she asked. The question surprised me. I think she was confused because in the US, the Reform observe one day of Yom Tov while Orthodox and Conservative Jews (at least in theory) observe two. (See note below for a more detailed explanation.) In Israel, practically the only people who observe two days of Yom Tov are tourists or those studying here for the year. And an increasing number observe the second day partially or ignore it completely, with rabbinic approval. I explained to my friend, "Even the Neturei Karta … [Read more...]
In Which I Become a Soldier’s Mother
November 11, 2009 by 24 Comments
No, not that soldier’s mother. Don’t expect much blogging on the subject, but one of my sons is preparing for his mandatory three-year army service. A commander from my son’s future division came to the house to answer our questions. The commander wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, as pre-army home visits didn’t exist when he enlisted. The program, about a year old, is intended to increase motivation among combat soldiers. We found out where my son would be training, how often he would come home (two weekends out of three, at first) and the different units within the division. I asked what my son should bring with him and he said, “Clothes.” Another boy from the … [Read more...]
Yom Hazikaron: A Mother Mourns for Her Son
April 28, 2009 by 6 Comments
Today marks the observance of Yom Hazikaron. Sirens went off last night and will sound again this morning, with memorial services taking place around the country. Ynet interviewed Harriet Levin, an American whose son Michael was killed in the Second Lebanon War: "Since his birth, I knew he would come to Israel and enlist in the IDF," she said. "It was his dream, and every visit to Israel just made it stronger." During 2001, at the height of the Intifada, he studied in Israel for several months. After witnessing the security situation, he determined not only to enlist, but to go to a combat unit. Michael Levin followed his dream, enlisted and joined the paratroopers. When the Second … [Read more...]
Serve in the Army and Avoid Taxes?
March 6, 2009 by 4 Comments
Check out my post as a guest blogger at Dov Bear. … [Read more...]
Pictures of Israeli Soldiers Treating Palestinian Weapon Smugglers
January 5, 2009 by 2 Comments
I received these pictures today along with the Hebrew text below. For redistribution to all: Pictures of Israeli soldiers rescuing Palestinians from a tunnel (used for smuggling weapons) in Gaza. In the most moral army in the world, instead of blowing up the tunnel, they [the soldiers] rescue the one who is trying to kill you. After smuggling weapons they [the Palestinians] receive: Medical care, blankets, a cup of tea. I remind you what the three reserve soldiers received when they went into Ramallah [in Samaria in the West Bank] . . . by mistake!! That is the difference between us and the Palestinians. [MiI: There were two. One of them lived several blocks from my home. When his … [Read more...]
A High School in Israel
September 15, 2008 by 15 Comments
[Haveil Havalim is up at Shiloh Musings.]My daughter entered ninth grade this year. This year she has "the best teacher and the best class." She was able to request a number of friends, and they'll be together for the next four years.Her school has six grades, each with about eight classes of thirty girls. The six grades are divided into three batim (lit. houses), each with its own building, vice-principal, secretary, advisor, and two teachers who serve as grade-level coordinators.The school operates several large volunteer projects:All ninth graders volunteer in a public gan (kindergarten) once a week. My daughter catches a van from school at 7:30 to take her across town, where she assists … [Read more...]
Friday links on women in Orthodoxy
June 27, 2008 by 16 Comments
First we have Josh Waxman of Parshablog with My Thoughts on Megirot I and II.Then there's the story of dancers forced to cover up for the Jerusalem bridge dedication ceremony. The girls, aged 6 to 13, were told to wear hats and long skirts; see this report for before and after pictures. Some parents respond here. According to this update in the JP, the organizers chose the black ski caps to make a point.Finally, the army has been giving some teenage girls trouble about an automatic religious exemption. I wonder if any haredi girls have been hassled. … [Read more...]
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