Rabbi Yaakov Aharon Farber, founder and CEO of Ma'alot Tzur, a program that helped integrate Haredi men into the IDF, passed away early Monday morning at the age of 32 during a medical procedure.
Farber established Ma'alot Tzur almost two years ago and successfully enlisted approximately 500 yeshiva students, the highest number of haredi recruits in years, according to the program's spokesperson.
Farber faced heavy criticism from segments of the Haredi community for promoting enlistment, with demonstrators protesting outside his home and publicly criticizing him.
According to Yediot Aharonot, prior to the war, Farber worked to integrate haredim into the labor market, shifting into army recruitment post-October 7.
A prominent community member and advocate in haredi society
"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," Faber told Ynet in an interview.
In the announcement of his death, it was noted that he was a prominent community member and activist of the Belz Hasidic dynasty.
Farber's funeral was held at Har HaMenuchot in Givat Shaul, with processions starting at the Belz Great Synagogue.
Rabbi Farber leaves behind a wife and six children, including the youngest, who is just four months old.