September 17, 2025
Featuring: Marc Cohen, Former Director of AJC ACCESS Jerusalem
Introduced by: Arielle Levy, Williams College (Class of 2026) and member of AJC's Campus Global Board
Presented by: AJC Campus Affairs (CEA) and AJC Jerusalem (CNME)
About This Program
One of the most consequential debates shaping Israel today centers on Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) participation in the IDF and its impact on Israeli society. This webinar provides college and graduate students with essential context and clarity on this pivotal issue.
For decades, Haredi men pursuing religious study have been exempt from military service–a policy rooted in Israel's earliest years. Now, amid war in Gaza and a landmark Supreme Court ruling striking down these exemptions, the country finds itself at a turning point. The controversy has fueled mass protests, shaken Israel's political leadership, and raised urgent questions about national unity, social equity, and the role of religion in public life.
This program traces the origins of the draft exemption system, unpacks the current coalition crisis, and analyzes the broader demographic, economic, and educational trends within the Haredi community. Together, we explore what's at stake for Israeli society and how competing ideals could reshape its future.
Featured Speaker
Marc Cohen, Former Director of AJC ACCESS Jerusalem
A former IDF soldier who served in an ultra-Orthodox combat unit in the West Bank, Marc shares a unique on-the-ground perspective on the military's role in Israeli society, the challenges of national service, and the broader significance of this moment for Israel's civic identity.
