Former Israeli Supreme Court President Recalls Defending Hasidic Leader at Military Draft Office
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
By דני שפיץ
First reported by Srugim · Jul 19, 2026
What happened
Seventy-three years ago, future Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak defended a young Hasidic yeshiva student, Shmuel Berzovsky, at the Jerusalem military draft office. The two discovered they shared the same birthday and later rekindled their connection through a heartfelt letter, symbolizing mutual respect across societal divides amid current debates on ultra-Orthodox military conscription.
- 01Aharon Barak defended yeshiva student Shmuel Berzovsky at Jerusalem draft office 73 years ago.
- 02Both were 17 and born on the same day, September 16, 1936.
- 03Barak intervened when secular youths harassed the religious group seeking draft deferrals.
- 04Berzovsky later sent Barak a touching letter on their 60th birthday recalling their encounter.
- 05The story highlights tolerance amid Israel's ongoing ultra-Orthodox conscription debate.
- 06Their interaction symbolizes potential unity between secular and religious Israelis.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.
