Thousands of seminary girls fundraise for yeshivas after draft dodgers lead to budget cuts – report

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox seminary girls participated in a fundraising campaign for Keren Olam Hatorah, an organization supporting yeshivas, following Israeli government budget cuts due to the military draft issue. KAN News reported that 25,000 girls raised over NIS 11 million through phone calls, with each given a personal goal of NIS 8,400. Rabbis addressed the students during the campaign, with one spiritual leader stating, "the more embarrassed you are, the greater the mitzvah." The girls were not compensated for their efforts, which took place during school hours. This campaign occurred after the High Court of Justice struck down a law that would have shielded haredi yeshiva students from arrest and investigation for draft evasion, deeming the legislative process defective and the law's substance unconstitutional.