The refusal of most ultra-Orthodox men to enlist has a long history, which stems in part from preventing assimilation into Israeli society – and because of this, the dream of equality in sharing the burden of IDF service seems distant; Haredi leaders sought to restore the voice of the Torah that was silenced after the Holocaust, but what began as an exemption for for about 400 Torah scholars has now reached tens of thousands

Shiran and Rotem Shamai left for a World Zionist Organization mission in Philadelphia before the war, but Rotem returned to Israel to serve; the couple and their children reunite in touching moment after over 200 days apart

Eyewitnesses tell police saw at least one individual near Beth Tikvah synagogue before fire; blaze shatters window and door; 'Such acts of violence cannot be ignored or minimized,' says rabbi