Ultra-Orthodox Youth Complete Rigorous Military Prep Week
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Around 100 ultra-Orthodox students from preparatory programs completed a week of intense field navigation training in Israel's Gva'ot Goral region. The program, run by the "Netzach" organization, prepares them for significant combat roles in the IDF, focusing on map reading, endurance, and teamwork. Graduates are integrated into military units as a cohesive group, with support to maintain religious observance and pursue leadership positions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- About 100 ultra-Orthodox students finished a demanding IDF field navigation week.
- The program prepares them for significant combat roles in the IDF.
- Students marched 30 km daily and learned advanced map-reading skills.
- The "Netzach" organization runs seven such preparatory programs.
- Graduates join military units as a cohesive group with ongoing support.
Approximately 100 students from ultra-Orthodox preparatory programs, known as "mechinot," have successfully completed a challenging week of field navigation exercises in the Gva'ot Goral area. The program is designed to prepare young men from the Haredi community for significant military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The demanding week involved daily marches of about 30 kilometers over difficult terrain, intensive map-reading instruction, and teamwork drills. Participants also engaged in setting up tents, enduring dusty conditions, and sleeping outdoors, experiences far removed from their typical yeshiva studies.
Rabbi Micha Perl, head of preparatory programs at the "Netzach" organization, praised the students' resilience, stating, "This is a very grueling and challenging week, but the guys stood up to it with heroism." He highlighted their ability to navigate independently in complex environments as a key achievement, noting the strong sense of responsibility and mutual guarantee that developed among them.
The "Netzach" organization operates seven ultra-Orthodox pre-military programs across Israel. The navigation week is part of a broader initiative to equip these students for meaningful combat roles. Unlike individual Haredi enlistees, these mechina graduates enter military units as a cohesive group, receiving ongoing professional support throughout their service. The program aims to help them maintain their religious observance while pursuing command positions and potentially officer roles in the IDF.