Ultra-Orthodox Summer Camps Become Hubs for Political Discourse
Summer camps for yeshiva students, known as 'camps,' have become popular venues for political panels. During the 'Bein HaZmanim' vacation, students have the rare opportunity to engage directly with Knesset members on pressing issues.
Singing competitions, performances, and speeches by politicians that make headlines: this is how thousands of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students spend their 'Bein HaZmanim' vacation days. As the phenomenon expands, the demand for high-level events is growing.
'Camps' is the term used for the ultra-Orthodox summer camps that have flourished in recent years. Students finish the school year on Tisha B'Av and go on a three-week vacation until the start of the next school year on the 1st of Elul. During this time, many arrive at rented youth village complexes or boarding schools, where the daily schedule is more relaxed than during the regular term.
In ultra-Orthodox study halls, it is not customary for Knesset members or non-rabbinical lecturers to address students, but in these summer camps, such events are central. From these venues, headlines have emerged, such as MK Uri Maklev's comments on Religious Zionism, MK Yitzhak Pindrus's statements regarding MK Naama Lazimi, and remarks by Finance Committee Chairman MK Hanoch Milwidsky on the partnership between the Likud and the ultra-Orthodox parties.
One of the prominent figures this summer is Kol Berama radio presenter Avi Gadlovitch, who hosted panels at several such camps. 'The idea is to maintain the yeshiva framework alongside a change of atmosphere,' he explains. 'Usually, each yeshiva holds a camp for several days to a week.' He notes that the highlight is often a 'symposium'—a political panel featuring journalists and Knesset members.
For yeshiva students, this is a rare opportunity to speak face-to-face with public figures. 'They prepare the questions themselves, and currently, the main interest is the issue of conscription,' says Gadlovitch. 'For example, in a panel I moderated with MK Michael Malkieli and Finance Committee Chairman Moshe Gafni, students asked direct questions about their situation, living with the threat of arrest. They are not afraid to pose pointed questions, and the resulting discourse is open and fascinating.'
