Chedvata is the first haredi hesder program designed and run by haredim themselves, and it’s growing fast. For those unfamiliar with the hesder yeshivah system, it’s a model that combines Torah study with military service.
The three-part Chedvata program consists of Torah study in the mornings and career training in the afternoon through Ashkelon College, followed by army service in a haredi Israel Defense Forces unit.
This system enables haredi young men to remain committed to their religious lifestyle while contributing to Israel’s military, gaining an academic degree and financial independence.
What sets Chedvata apart is the fact that it was conceived of and is managed entirely by haredim. This is not a secular initiative trying to impose its will on the haredi community. Instead, it is an organic response from within the community itself to a growing recognition that not all haredi men are suited for full-time Torah study.
The results speak for themselves. Chedvata enrolled 300 students last year, and that number jumped to more than 400 this year without any formal advertising—purely by word of mouth. If fully funded and supported, Chedvata could easily scale its model to thousands of students, offering a clear path forward for a significant part of the haredi community to integrate more fully into Israeli society.
One of the most divisive issues in Israel today is the haredi draft exemption. The stakes are only growing higher as Israel’s haredi population expands exponentially, making finding a solution to this problem even more urgent. This is where Chedvata comes in. By increasing the number of haredim serving in the IDF, Chedvata is addressing the issue head-on.
As more haredi men serve in the military, the broader Israeli public will see more of their religious neighbors actively contributing to the nation’s security. This, in turn, will foster greater comradery among the haredi community towards the general Israeli public as well. Academic training is also vital as Chedvata graduates earn high-paying positions in Israel in high-tech and other fields, which boosts their confidence and self-worth.
Historically, only “carrots” and not “sticks” have worked to increase the number of haredim in the IDF. This “carrot,” which includes staying within a Torah framework, appeals to many haredim.
We all sense, deep within us, that unity is the key to victory. Chedvata is not just a game-changer for the haredi community but it is a game-changer for Israel as a whole, making Israeli society more cohesive and its future brighter.
