Larger synagogue to be built, Sabbath quarters for families, separate swimming hours – these are some of the results of the increasing religious presence in the IDF officers’ courses.
The Bahad-1 Base in the Negev, the IDF’s officers' training base, has remained essentially the same since it was built over 40 years ago. A new auditorium, training building, and classes were built in recent years, but the increasing demand for officer training programs has led to a shortage of beds. As a stopgap measure, the army has rented out a field school in nearby Mitzpeh Ramon to make up for the shortage; a new dormitory is to be completed on the base later this year.
Over the past year, the base has been undergoing a major face-lift – including many aspects meeting the needs of a growing religious population: A new guest house for religious families that spend the Sabbath, a new synagogue in the form of a Burning Bush, new green lawns, new black asphalt for the base’s legendary marching grounds (the old asphalt will be recycled for use as new roads in the base), and more.
The new synagogue is being built in the form of the Burning Bush at which Moses was first introduced to G-d’s presence. The “flames” which comprise the outer walls of the synagogue will be formed with special glass and concrete. An American donor contributed $1.5 million to the project.
More Seats, Women's Section
The synagogue will hold triple the amount of seats as the present synagogue, due to increased demand. Unlike other IDF synagogues, it will have a women’s section as well.
In addition, the swimming pool on the base will be reopened for the first time in several years – but with a new switch: Some hours will be set aside each week for separate men’s and women’s swimming. This, too, is a result of the growth of the observant sector among IDF officer trainees.
The new guest house will serve the families of religious officers whose families wish to join them for the Sabbath, as well as the families of visiting lecturers and rabbis.
More than 25%
Haaretz reports that over the past decade, more than 25% of Bahad-1 graduates have been religious – and religious officers now comprise a significant portion of teachers in the base. Separate men’s courses are offered for religious officer trainees.