©Haaretz – December 16, 2011 print edition – Pg. A4
Photo: http://twitpic.com/7twxbb
“In the center of the photograph, taken recently at an IDF base, is a member of the Gerrer Hasidic dynasty.
He is a cadet in Shahar Yam, an Israel Navy program for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
To his left is an officer trainee in a Haredi unit of the Nahal, while the base chaplain is to his right.
The naval cadet, who spent much of the Sabbath in the base’s large synagogue, wears his sect’s traditional fur hat and black silk coat over his uniform.
Only his trousers rolled above the ankle comply with both Gerrer tradition and the navy’s dress code.
Both officer trainees recently completed their courses without walking out of any military ceremonies, according to the amateur photographer who took the picture during a visit to the base on Saturday.
Several religiously observant IDF soldiers were expelled from a course at the same base after walking out of a ceremony because a female soldier sang at it.
The photographer, who asked not to be identified, emphasized that the picture was taken after the end of Shabbat. (Yair Ettinger)”
