Michael Freund is a rabbi with an Ivy League education, and leader of important social initiatives. His broad world view provides a broad-based discussion on Israel’s ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) draft exemption, a growing source of societal tension throughout Israel. It’s centrality today originates after the Holocaust, but has ballooned into tens of thousands of deferments while others bear the heavy burden of military service. What are the causes, and ways to repair the division, to have greater Haredi integration, warning against politicizing Torah study and urging a balanced approach that honors both spiritual learning and national defense.

Read Michael Freund’s article in the Jerusalem Post here:  ...