A new opportunity is opening up for young members of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement: Netzah Yehuda, the nonprofit organization that established the IDF's Haredi Nahal framework and works to support Haredi and Hasidic soldiers, will open a new pre-military academy specifically for Chabad Hasidim in the coming academic year.
The academy will be located in the town of Bat Hadar near Ashkelon. The founders reportedly turned to the Igrot Kodesh, a collection of letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, for guidance and received an encouraging response. The new academy, slated to open in the upcoming Israeli school year, will offer students a distinctive integration of Hasidic spiritual life and preparation for high-quality military service, while preserving Chabad traditions and values.
According to sources within Netzah Yehuda, the program will allow students to delve deeply into Talmud and Jewish law, immerse themselves in Hasidic teachings, and cultivate significant spiritual tools. This will occur in parallel with rigorous preparation for service in elite and combat units, all while adhering to a Hasidic-Chabad lifestyle.
The academy will operate in a dedicated facility in Bat Hadar, and there is already considerable interest from prospective candidates. Netzah Yehuda expects the initiative to bring about a substantial shift in how young Chabad men serve in the military, allowing them to contribute meaningfully while maintaining their religious and Hasidic identity.
