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Is American Orthodoxy not Orthodox?

Is American Orthodoxy not Orthodox?

We hold that both non-Jewish and non-observant Jewish soldiers have rights that must be respected and that this does not detract from the kashrut status of food provided by the IDF to all soldiers.


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54% Israelis: IDF soldiers have right to eat chametz

54% Israelis: IDF soldiers have right to eat chametz

In light of the public and political battle that accompanies the petition Hiddush submitted (on behalf of itself, the Secular Forum, and a group of parents of IDF soldiers) to reduce the sweeping ban against leavened foods during Passover on IDF bases, Hiddush decided to survey the positions of Israel’s adult Jewish public on this matter.

Why do they do it? Because they can!

Why do they do it? Because they can!

This week, the Supreme Court issued a ‘show cause’ order against the IDF in a petition Hiddush submitted regarding non-observant and non-Jewish soldiers being allowed to possess chametz in their own private domain (or in pre-designated spaces) and consume it during Passover.

IDF forcing soldiers to keep kosher for Passover

IDF forcing soldiers to keep kosher for Passover

Next week, Hiddush will submit a petition to the Supreme Court against the IDF, demanding that it change its regulations regarding its policy on chametz on Passover in army bases.

Legal fronts against religious discrimination

Legal fronts against religious discrimination

Hiddush has been active on several legal fronts against religious discrimination in the IDF, including the battle against exempting yeshivas students from conscription along with the rest of their Israeli peers.

Hiddush’s effective advocacy from an ultra-Orthodox perspective

Hiddush’s effective advocacy from an ultra-Orthodox perspective

On Dec. 13th, 2020, the following news appeared in an ultra-Orthodox news portal, describing their perspective on Hiddush’s success in overcoming decades of Orthodox control over military burials in Israel, which historically excluded secular and non-Orthodox alternatives for families of fallen soldiers:

Legal advocacy – not for sprint runners!

Legal advocacy – not for sprint runners!

In the last two weeks, there have been some important developments in Hiddush’s legal arena, and they remind us that this legal battle is not intended for short distance runners. It takes a great deal of time and perseverance.

Pushing the wheels of justice to keep on turning

Pushing the wheels of justice to keep on turning

As the legal scene in Israel heats up, mostly characterized by uncertainty as to what's next, and when it will finally settle down, Hiddush continues to actively pursue its legal advocacy. While encouraged by indications regarding both public opinion and commitments to religious freedom and equality voiced by some by key parties, legal advocacy remains a necessary and effective avenue to advance Hiddush's mission, even as the wheels of justice turn ever so slowly.

Hiddush demands: IDF, bring back family visitations on Saturdays!

Hiddush demands: IDF, bring back family visitations on Saturdays!

Following dozens of information requests regarding the forbiddance of family visitations to IDF bases on Saturdays, two NGOs turned to the IDF. Hiddush – For Religious Freedom and Equality and the Secular Forum demanded that the IDF permit family visitations on Saturday, and the IDF responded: “We shall form a team to formulate a picture of the situation and provide recommendations.”

The Supreme Court ruling on pluralistic IDF burial

The Supreme Court ruling on pluralistic IDF burial

The following is an extract from the Supreme Court ruling on Hiddush’s petition on pluralistic military burials in Israel, handed down on August 8, 2019. The Court’s opinion was written by Justice Anat Baron with the consent of Justices Elron and Grosskopf.

Hiddush on the battlefront

Hiddush on the battlefront

This week we started action on behalf of a former Haredi man who is serving in the IDF and faces discrimination, as well as on behalf of a school and a PTA who have confronted a zealous religious fundamentalist who is trying to tempt their students to "experience Judaism" his way.

Secular military funerals permitted for first time ever

Secular military funerals permitted for first time ever

Following Hiddush's demands: the IDF regulations regarding the burial of fallen soldiers have been changed. It is now possible to hold a military funeral without religious contents in a military cemetery and - secular military funerals in civil cemeteries.

Study finds that religious women in IDF report increased religious convictions

Study finds that religious women in IDF report increased religious convictions

A new Israeli study found that young women who served in the IDF reported an increase in their level of religious convictions, more so than those who served in National Service. 89% said that their religious levels were not harmed or even improved during their IDF service.

75% Israelis support coed service in the IDF

75% Israelis support coed service in the IDF

According to a Hiddush survey, the overwhelming majority of the Israeli Jewish public supports coed military service, including most of the voters for the Government Coalition parties.

Hiddush makes progress on military burial rights for IDF soldiers

Hiddush makes progress on military burial rights for IDF soldiers

Once again, Hiddush is impacting on Israeli governmental policies, advancing religious freedom and equality. This time – it’s about a very painful and sensitive issue: burial of fallen soldiers. Last week we were informed of the acceptance of our demands (although we will have to follow the implementation, as we know from past experience…).

Should religious freedom stop at the gates of military cemeteries?

Should religious freedom stop at the gates of military cemeteries?

Turning to the Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff, Head of IDF Personnel, Judge Advocate, and Minister of Religious Services, Hiddush suggested that civil burial plots be designated within military cemeteries, in which full military funerals can be conducted, ungoverned by the Orthodox Rabbinate.

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