Hundreds of young Chareidi men reported to the IDF’s Tel Hashomer induction center on Sunday in what organizers described as a record day of Chareidi enlistment, with many of the new recruits slated to serve in combat units.

The current wave of enlistment is expected to continue over the next two weeks, with hundreds joining military tracks designed to accommodate a Chareidi lifestyle while serving in the IDF.

Among the units receiving the new recruits are the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, the Chashmonaim Brigade, the Chetz company in the Paratroopers Brigade, and the Negev platoon in the Israeli Air Force.

Shomer Yisrael, an organization that works to integrate Chareidim into the IDF, said the growing enlistment numbers reflect years of work by Chareidi pre-military programs and hesder yeshivas.

Lt. Col. (res.) Yossi Levy, the organization’s CEO, said the recruits demonstrate that it is possible to maintain a strong Torah identity while contributing directly to Israel’s security.

One recruit, Itamar Reinhold, said he was inspired to enlist after seeing his brother serve in Gaza.

Another recruit, Nachman, who is joining the Chashmonaim Brigade, said the current security situation requires people from across Israeli society to contribute to the country’s defense.

Parents accompanied many of the recruits to Tel Hashomer, including families from Bnei Brak and Petach Tikvah who expressed pride in their sons as they prepared to begin their military service.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)