Rabbi Yaakov Aharon Farber, founder of Ma'alot Tzur haredi enlistment program, dies at 32

Rabbi Yaakov Aharon Farber, the founder and CEO of Ma'alot Tzur, a program dedicated to integrating Haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), passed away early Monday morning at the age of 32. His death occurred during a medical procedure.

Farber established Ma'alot Tzur approximately two years ago. The program achieved notable success, enlisting around 500 yeshiva students, which represented the highest number of Haredi recruits in recent years, according to the program's spokesperson. Prior to focusing on army recruitment after October 7, Farber had worked to integrate Haredim into the civilian labor market.

Despite his efforts, Farber encountered significant criticism from segments of the Haredi community who opposed military enlistment. Demonstrators protested outside his home and publicly denounced his work. Farber was a prominent figure and advocate within the Belz Hasidic dynasty.

He is survived by his wife and six children, the youngest of whom is only four months old. His funeral was held at Har HaMenuchot in Givat Shaul.

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What was important to me when I set out was to organize a rights document that enshrines the rights of the guys who enlist - they enter as ultra-Orthodox and leave as ultra-Orthodox. We established a program that includes short military training, a specialized course, and then a job.