IDF launches 'kosher' version of in-house magazine for Haredi soldiers

For the first time in the IDF, the magazine ‘Bamahane,’ has come out with an edition that is totally kosher for Passover – and every other day of the year. Thousands of haredi soldiers, in addition to those slated to be enlisted in haredi units, received the special edition through the mail.

This followed a limited pilot which was carried out last year, and was the first time that a haredi edition of this size and reach hit the presses.

The magazine, which was produced by the IDF Human Resources Directorate’s haredi integration branch together with ‘Bamahane,’ was sent via direct mail over the holiday to the homes of 5,000 soldiers, with content specially geared toward the ultra-religious soldiers.

Among other things, this edition presented a Torah portion specifically for the haredi soldiers from Rabbi Avraham Yosef (son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef); an interview with wives of haredi soldiers; a feature story focused on haredi soldiers who fought in the battles to free Jerusalem in the War of Independence; plus other articles dealing with the integration of haredi soldiers into the civilian workplace after their military release.

More special editions are expected to come out over the next year. The magazine was distributed to soldiers in the haredi Netzach Yehuda Battalion, and soldiers in the haredi tracks in other branches and units.

This version of Bamahane was kept modest, with no photographs of women. Other than providing information to haredi soldiers, the goal of the publication was to encourage young haredim to enlist, while providing them with information regarding the opportunities available to haredim in the Israeli military.

This is part of a larger scale campaign being carried out by IDF human resources, with the goal of enlisting thousands of haredi soldiers starting this summer after the passing of the Tal Law, which will increase the number of ultra-orthodox serving in the military.