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NEW SOURCE OF INTELLIGENCE FOR THE IDF

An unprecedented request from the Israel Defense Forces has led Ohr Torah Stone's Hadas program, which pioneered a combination of Torah study and army service for women, to break new ground once again. At the initiative of top army brass, Hadas will become the only program of its kind to prepare qualified participants for work in the army's Intelligence Corps, a division often considered unsuitable for observant women - until now. The new endeavor will provide the army with a valuable new source of talented personnel while presenting young, religious post-high-school women with exciting new opportunities for Torah study and national service.

Army service that is "significant and meaningful"

"Hadas is nothing short of a revolution that has opened up new vistas for religious Israeli women," says the program's director, Rabbi Ohad Tehar-Lev. The program has had the additional impact of breaking down myths on both sides, explains Tehar-Lev. "The perception of national-religious Israelis toward army service has changed, now that there is a framework in which their daughters can serve without compromise. And the army's negative stereotypes about accommodating religious female soldiers on army bases have been shattered, too." Over the past four years, Hadas soldiers have consistently distinguished themselves in the IDF Education Corps with outstanding service as teachers of soldiers from immigrant or disadvantaged backgrounds, with many advancing to officers' course.

Based on this obvious success, Maj. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, commander of the IDF Central Command, and other top army officials have realized that some of the most outstanding potential soldiers around are religious young women. With newfound understanding of the natural connection between religious idealism and commitment to Israel's security, the IDF is actively recruiting volunteers for Hadas-Intelligence. In fact, the army's special recruitment brochure for Hadas refers to both army intelligence work and Torah study as "national challenges and goals."

In reality, some 40% of religious female IDF recruits meet the rigorous qualifications for intelligence work, which include proficiency in a foreign language and/or technological ability. Yet most opt not to serve in this area, out of concern that intelligence work will compromise their religious commitment and practice. Hadas and the IDF are thus working to accommodate religious women; the army, by designating two or three specially-adapted bases where they will be assigned, and Hadas by providing intensive preparation for the religious issues its participants might face.

Like all Hadas participants, young women in Hadas-Intelligence will study at Midreshet Lindenbaum for a year before beginning basic training. Their rigorous curriculum will include daily classes and beit midrash study in Talmud, bible, Jewish philosophy, mussar and emunah. The program also places strong emphasis on activities aimed at creating a very cohesive, supportive group whose members will stand by each other when faced with challenges.

Throughout the 24 months of army service that follow, Hadas-Intelligence participants will be able to count on the program's strong support system, already in place for Hadas-Education participants. "I am so glad that I chose to enter the army through Hadas," testifies current Hadas soldier Yonat Kochmeister, who was just awarded the "Outstanding Officer" award on her base at Chavat Hashomer. "In an organization as large as the IDF, it's easy for an individual to get lost or to fall into a less-challenging job. With Hadas standing behind me, I know that my service will always be significant and meaningful. And on a religious and personal level, the support we get from our Hadas family - teachers and fellow soldiers - helps keeps us going. "

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