Comments on: Are Chareidi Soldiers Heading to the IDF Navy?

By: Happy Olah

Happy Olah — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 09:11:12 +0000

I agree with Yagel Libi. In its present incarnation, the Navy is ill-suited for religious boys. Too much is dependent upon the good-will of the secular boys on the boats. If they are respectful and tolerant, then the frum boys can coexist peacefully. If they are selfish or prejudiced, however, they will continuously “trayf” up the kitchen, despite the Navy’s best intentions that it not happen. However, if the navy would consider a boat consisting of only religious boys, as impractical as it sounds, then the navy is an excellent place to serve. BTW, the naval training base at Haifa has Mehadrin food available and many Chareidim serve there (and in Ashdod) in non-combat roles, most going home every day.

By: Yagel Libi

Yagel Libi — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 03:08:41 +0000

While I am certainly a proponent of charedim serving in the IDF, I am not sure that this is a good idea. IDF navy vessels and units tend to be very small, few of the officers and relatively few of the soldiers are religious and the navy does not yet have the accumulated institutional experience with accommodating religious needs that the ground forces (the ‘green army’) has acquired. Hesder and Mechina boys are better suited to successfully meet the difficulties that arise from these issues and they are paving the way. But at this time the navy might prove a poor fit for charedim, unless the idea is for them to serve together in the technical support units at the ports which might work.

By: bklynmom

bklynmom — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 02:40:58 +0000

Keep the ladies off & maybe the Charedim will join.