NGO Recruits 1,200 Haredim for Military Service and Vocational Training
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Lt. Col. (Res.) Haim Bar Geva's NGO 'Kelim Shluvim' has successfully recruited around 1,200 Haredi men for a program combining IDF reserve service with vocational training as drivers and mechanics. Launched during the recent war, the initiative addresses military personnel shortages and provides economic opportunities for Haredi men. Graduates have already served in reserve duty, including refueling Air Force planes during strikes on Iran. The NGO aims to train 600 individuals by 2027, with new cohorts starting monthly.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredi NGO 'Kelim Shluvim' recruited 1,200 men for military and vocational training.
- Program graduates have served in reserve duty, including refueling Air Force jets.
- The initiative aims to fill IDF shortages in drivers and maintenance personnel.
- Participants gain professional licenses and potential salaries of up to NIS 20,000.
- The NGO plans to train 600 individuals by 2027.
- The program is a collaboration between the NGO, government ministries, and the IDF.
While political debate continues over the conscription of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) into the IDF, Lt. Col. (Res.) Haim Bar Geva, CEO of the 'Kelim Shluvim' NGO, is successfully implementing a program that integrates military reserve duty with professional training. The initiative, born from Bar Geva's wartime experiences identifying critical shortages in drivers and maintenance personnel, aims to address both military needs and the economic challenges faced by many Haredi men. The program, a collaboration between the NGO, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Transportation, and the IDF, allows participants to acquire professional licenses, such as for trucks and buses, and commit to long-term reserve service.
Bar Geva's initiative gained significant traction after a call for volunteers less than 48 hours after the war began, which resulted in approximately 1,200 registrations. Graduates of the first cohort have already completed about seven months of reserve duty, including participating in refueling Air Force aircraft during operations against Iran. The training lasts four months, during which participants earn professional driving licenses and undergo joint military training, ultimately forming a Haredi reserve company within the IDF's Logistics Directorate. The program is funded by government ministries and the National Labor Federation, with employers involved from the training stage.
Participants need a private driver's license and two years of experience, with the IDF approving candidates. Currently, the program primarily targets Haredi men eligible for shorter service terms, though a separate two-year service track for 18-year-olds is being considered. Bar Geva highlighted the potential for graduates to earn substantial salaries, starting around NIS 15,000 per month and potentially exceeding NIS 20,000 with advanced licenses. The training is conducted in civilian settings near participants' homes, respecting community sensitivities, with some individuals opting to avoid wearing uniforms publicly.
Bar Geva emphasized that practical initiatives like his are crucial, especially in light of the personal loss of his brother-in-law, Eilon Weiss, during the war. He believes focusing on such programs is more productive than deepening public disputes. The NGO plans to expand its operations, aiming to open a new training cohort every 1 to 1.5 months, with a goal of training approximately 600 individuals by 2027. He also noted that about 30% of applicants have exemptions that currently prevent their enlistment, expressing hope for future solutions for this group.