Religious Education Program In Israel's Military Questioned

In Israel, questions are being raised about the expanding role of the Chief Military Rabbinate in offering educational programs for members of the Israeli Defense Forces. Haaretz reported yesterday that the IDF's Education Corps is concerned that the Rabbinate's program harms "the delicate fabric of relations between the nonreligious and religious in the IDF." An officer expressed concern about "religious brainwashing and, indirectly, also political [brainwashing]." The spread of the Rabbinate's "Jewish Awareness" offerings has been made possible by significant private contributions to the Fund for Strengthening Israel's Defense, earmarked for the rabbinate's educational activities.