A matchmaking initiative has recently been launched for ultra-Orthodox IDF soldiers by the Netzah Yehuda Association that supports Haredi fighters throughout their service.
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"There is a stigma that Haredim who serve in the military are only interested in clubs and girls, but that is not the case," said Yehuda Shapiro, who overlooks the association's lone soldier department. "Most of them are God-fearing and would also like to get married."
Shapiro explained that the demand for such an initiative came as a result of a growing number of ultra-Orthodox youngsters who choose to get drafted into the military instead of learning Torah full-time, as is common in the community.
"And just as there are Haredi young men who do not want to study full-time, but to serve in the military and enter the job market, so too there are young women who are still ultra-Orthodox but have chosen to pursue an academic degree and are looking for someone who shares their interests. Not everyone wants a husband who learns full-time," he said.
Shapiro and associates set up matches through special Whatsapp groups where the information of young men and women is shared. The service is available for current and former soldier of the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion.
Shapiro estimated that besides spearing heartache for soldiers who would otherwise have to turn to traditional Haredi matchmakers, the initiative would also lead to an increase in marriages.
"Instead of a soldier arriving at a date and realizing that his match is far from thrilled about his service in the IDF, there will be much better initial matches that will increase the chances of getting married," he said.
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