Nahal Haredi is the ultimate solution, according to Branski, serving haredim from a wide variety of backgrounds – chassidish and yeshivish, Sephardi and Askenazi.
“When you say ‘haredi,’ you mean about twenty different kinds of people,” he said. “If you want to join, we are here to help you serve and we say this is a win-win situation. Our goal is for every young haredi man to join the army, remain haredi, and serve significantly in the IDF.”
The Netzah Yehuda program consists of two years’ active military service and a third year that includes an educational component.
“Sometimes they take pre-academic courses or we help them go to an academy,” said Branski. “In other cases they learn a profession during their third year. When they finish their service they are IDF veterans and can join the job market.”
While most of us picture soldiers in fatigues and yarmulkes when we hear the words “Nahal Haredi,” the foundation provides a host of services to those who have yet to enter the IDF as well as active soldiers and Netzah Yehuda alumni.
“We work with haredi youth who have left yeshiva even before the age of 18 when they can join the army,” said Branski. “We try to help them build their self confidence; some of them are on the streets, the black sheep of the family. We try to help them.”
Nezach Yehuda provides support to all haredi soldiers, even those who serve in other units, including a rabbinic mentoring program, lone soldier housing, and a fund for soldiers who are engaged to be married.
“We have shiurim, chavruta, special advisers, and social workers,” said Branski. “We are here for soldiers who have problems with their emunah or because their families may not like the idea that their sons are in the IDF. Some have been kicked out of their homes.”
As a practical solution to some of these problems, Nahal Haredi hopes to build a community for its veterans. Two possible locations are under consideration, one in the Negev and the other in the Galil.
Looking ahead, Branski noted the need for another battalion of haredi soldiers.
“Statistics say that in 2030, fifty percent of the male young people who can join the army at 18 will be dati and haredi. These future soldiers are already three years old [right now]. This is not a prophecy, it is a fact, and Israel has to get ready to prepare. One of the steps that should be taken is to establish more units for haredim.”
While the unit has been recognized with several awards and prizes, one of Netzah Yehuda’s biggest accomplishments is the unity it creates within Israeli society.
“Sometimes there is great tension between the different groups of the haredi world,” said Branski. “But in Netzah Yehuda it’s all about Ahavat Yisrael. Everyone is together, putting their lives on the line for each other. The things we share in common are a lot more than our differences.”
