Slice of Life

Osot Chayil, an organization that supports chareidi women whose family members have joined the army, continues to encourage those who turn to it. This week, they invited me to join them for a Day of Appreciation with Michal Herzog, wife of President Isaac Herzog.

Masa Kumta (Beret Journey) is the march IDF combat soldiers complete before receiving their brigade’s unique beret in a ceremony that marks their readiness for battle. The event is filled with pride, music, and celebration. But for participants in the Gedolim B’Madim (Special in Uniform) program, it represents something deeper: a declaration of belonging.

For many mothers and wives of combat soldiers, sleepless nights and constant worry are their companions. For chareidi women in this position, it is often spoken in isolation. As the majority of chareidim do not serve, these families often feel like outliers in their communities, alone and unsupported. This was the experience of Chavy Erenfeld, a resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh and mother of four—until she decided to do something about it.

The chasan broke the glass, and the guests screamed “Mazal Tov!” While the simchah was palpable, there was not a dry eye in the hall. This was no regular wedding. It was special in more ways than one. The chasan and kallah had special needs, and they were building a bayis ne’eman b’Yisrael!

When Hillel Manne moved to Israel in 1996, the first thing he did was plant a vineyard. Having grown up in California, he had studied agriculture at the University of California, Davis, before bringing his expertise to Israel.

Reut* was thrilled when her husband Kobi* finally returned from Gaza after the ceasefire took effect. For the first time in months, she allowed herself to exhale. He had served in every single one of the unit’s seven rounds of reserve duty, never once missing a call-up. Now, at last, there was no next date looming. But it didn’t take long for her to realize something was terribly wrong.