A Father’s Story of One Girl’s Journey Out of the Haredi System

Haredi journalist Yanki Farber, a prominent reporter for Behadrei Haredim, has sparked a widespread conversation on social media after sharing the bombshell story of his daughter’s journey from the ultra-Orthodox education system to her enlistment in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) this morning.

In a poignant post on X (formerly Twitter), Farber detailed how the rigid social structures of the Haredi seminar system ultimately led his daughter to seek a new path in the military.

According to Farber, the trouble began during the high-stakes registration period for girls' seminars. Despite being a top student at the Beis Yaakov Tiferet Tamar elementary school in Bnei Brak, his daughter found herself caught in the middle of administrative conflicts.

Farber's daughter was among 300 girls not accepted into their chosen seminars due to what he described as "ego battles" among decision-makers.

The local municipality eventually forced seminars to accept the remaining girls. His daughter was placed in a school that she felt did not fit her spiritually or socially. The placement quickly turned sour.

Farber alleges that the seminar leadership targeted his daughter specifically because of his profession in the media.

Farber and his wife were repeatedly called to the school. Despite the administration admitting there were no issues with the girl’s behavior, grades, or spiritual standing, they told Farber: *"We were forced to take her; your type of work does not fit this seminar." The constant pressure became "unbearable," leading Farber to pull her out of the institution.

The experience left a deep mark. According to Farber, his daughter refused to continue in any Haredi institution, telling him: *"Dad, I don't want to study in a Haredi place anymore. They threw me out just because you work in the media."*

After a period of working and soul-searching, she made the independent decision to enlist.

"I didn't convince her to enlist; I was actually thinking about National Service (Sherut Leumi)," Farber wrote. "But my daughter decided this is what she wants, and I accept it and support her all the way."

Despite the difficult ordeal, Farber emphasized that he holds no hatred toward the Haredi community.

"I have no rage, no anger, and no resentment," he stated, noting that he remains deeply connected to his Haredi family and community, which he praised for its acts of kindness and volunteering. "It is a shame that girls are treated this way in seminars because of what their parents do... I accompanied my daughter today to her recruitment into the Air Force without baggage. This is the path she chose."