Mandatory military service has been a cornerstone of Israel since its founding, but the recruitment of Haredi or “ultra-orthodox” students was a longstanding point of contention. The massacre of October 7 and the prolonged war that followed exacerbated the urgent need for combat soldiers. Public pressure, constitutional rulings, and societal demands intensified, making Haredi recruitment a central topic of national discourse. In addition to non-conscription, one of the significant challenges facing Israeli society and its economic future is the absence of Haredim from the labor market. Haredi educational institutions that do not teach core subjects, alongside halachic perceptions that oppose integration, create a reality in which the Haredi population does not contribute to a sustainable economic future.
While political solutions remain elusive, ISTS stepped in to forge a path toward change. Israel Sci-Tech Schools is spearheading this social transformation through a respectful, non-coercive model that blends rigorous Torah study with high-level engineering and technology training. By providing specialized pathways into technical military roles, the network not only empowers Haredi men with high-demand career skills but also strategically “frees up” other recruits for essential frontline combat units – addressing a vital national security need while preserving the unique religious identity of the participants. With demand currently outstripping supply, donors have a unique chance to scale proven initiatives, such as the first-of-its-kind Technological Hesder Yeshiva, a new Haredi-only campus, and over a decade long of programs in the field. By providing the stipends and infrastructure necessary, we turn a historic social challenge into a sustainable, unified future for all of Israel.
