Female Singing Has Air Force Rabbi in Trouble

By Haaretz January 4, 2012

Chief IDF Rabbi Brigadier-General Rafi Peretz called on Lieutenant Colonel Ram Moshe Ravad to leave his post as Chief Rabbi of the Israel Air Force, in the wake of recent controversy surrounding sensitivity toward religious soldiers.

Peretz’s recommendation came after he invited Ravad to a private hearing.

The hearing comes a day after Ravad requested to leave his post as head of an IDF program which recruits Haredim into the air force.

Lt. Col. Ravad’s decision comes a day after the IDF officially announced that it will not excuse religious soldiers from official army events that feature female soldiers singing.

In a letter published in the ultra-Orthodox website ladaat.net, Ravad said that “in recent months the personnel directorate decided to open up the rules and review them.”

According to Ravad, “in the latest draft of the new rules, I saw that clauses meant to protect the soldier’s religious beliefs, and another clause that permits activity that may offend religious beliefs.”

Ravad said that “even though I received a promise that the laws will be reviewed again, in light of the current situation I cannot see myself being a part of the program as a rabbi and an adviser.”

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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