from UJA Federation New York:

Helping Haredim in Israel Join the Army, Workforce

The glue of Israeli society, the experience shared by most men and women over the age of 18, is service in the army. And yet, until recently, a growing slice of Israel’s population hasn’t been part of that experience.

It is a tradition rooted early in the state of Israel’s history for Haredi men to continue yeshiva study rather than serve in the army, but in recent years, a program called Shachar has been working with both the army and interested members of the Haredi community to enable these men to serve in a way that is conducive to their religious and familial obligations.

The men participating in Shachar acquire relevant job skills they can take with them after they leave the army. Once they graduate from the program, these skills make it easier for them to find employment in the Israeli workforce and support their families. Shachar is supported by UJA-Federation of New York through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).