US Donor Gives $500 to Each Haredi Draft Dodger Jailed for Refusal to Enlist
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
American donor Ari Schwartz distributed $500 to each of 96 Haredi men imprisoned for refusing IDF enlistment, calling them "prisoners of the world of Torah." The initiative aimed to honor their dedication to Torah study and protest their incarceration.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- American donor Ari Schwartz gave $500 to 96 jailed draft dodgers.
- The men were imprisoned for refusing IDF enlistment.
- They are known as "prisoners of the world of Torah."
- The donor sought to honor Torah study and protest their imprisonment.
A special ceremony was held on Monday where large stipends were distributed to dozens of Torah scholars, yeshiva students, and Haredi men who were recently imprisoned in military detention for refusing to enlist in the IDF. These individuals are known in the Haredi community as "prisoners of the world of Torah." The initiative was spearheaded by Rabbi Ari Schwartz, a prominent American donor with ties to the Hasmonean unit, who aimed to honor and recognize the dedication of these young men to Torah study.
Schwartz is known for previously hosting a large celebration for Hasmonean personnel during the Sukkot holiday. In this latest move, he sought to elevate the status of Torah learners and express his opposition to what he described as the "great injustice of throwing Torah scholars into prison." His associates explained that he wanted to demonstrate that the value of Torah study is paramount and to protest their imprisonment.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of envelopes containing $500 to each of the 96 "prisoners of the world of Torah" who had been held in military prison. Schwartz reportedly limited these grants exclusively to those arrested for reasons related to Torah study and who followed the guidance of prominent rabbis.
Attendees expressed gratitude to the donor for his financial and moral support, acknowledging the significant encouragement provided to those who were imprisoned for their commitment to sanctifying God's name and enduring their sentences with pride.
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