Record in willingness to serve: 200 new Haredim begin preparatory programs

Approximately 200 new students from the Haredi public joined pre-military preparatory programs this week, operated by the National Association for Haredi Service 'Shomer Yisrael' and the 'Netzach Yehuda' association. The young men arrived at the programs with the goal of receiving Torah, spiritual, and physical support to prepare them for enlistment in significant combat service.

The students are expected to enlist in a series of adapted combat tracks, including the Netzach Yehuda battalion in the Kfir Brigade, the Hashmonaim Brigade, the Haredi 'Het' company in the Paratroopers Brigade, the Haredi company in the Border Police, and other combat units. With the opening of the school year, the students began a challenging hike to Mount Meron, concluding with a prayer meeting at the tomb of the Rashbi.

Yehuda, who joined the new combat preparatory program 'Derech Emuna', shared his feelings:

'I came to the program because it was important to me to do significant combat service. The hike to Meron and the prayer at the Rashbi at the beginning of the year gave us immense spiritual strength. We feel that we are in the right place to protect the people of Israel while being proud of who we are.'

Yossi Levi, CEO of the 'Shomer Yisrael' and 'Netzach Yehuda' associations, welcomed the start of the year:

'The joining of 200 new students is evidence of the intense desire of young Haredim to combine maintaining a Torah lifestyle with a significant contribution to the country's security. Our programs provide the spiritual, physical, and mental framework so that the future fighters arrive at the combat units properly prepared, with pride in their identity and the path they have chosen.'