#United States #New York #Orthodox Jews #Rabbi #Central Rabbinical Congress

Orthodox Jews to Rally in NYC

On August 18, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, a significant protest will take place outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City. Organized by the Central Rabbinical Congress of the USA and Canada, this gathering will feature rabbis and various members of the Orthodox Jewish community standing in solidarity against new Israeli military draft regulations.

For many years, Orthodox Jewish law has maintained a strict stance against military service, allowing its followers—particularly devoted Torah scholars and full-time yeshiva students—to focus solely on their religious studies. However, recent developments have seen the Israeli government enforcing military draft laws that disproportionately target this community, leading to fears and frustrations.

The Central Rabbinical Congress describes these new policies as "the worst religious persecution of Orthodox Jews since the Holocaust". The gathering aims to address the enforcement measures that the government has introduced, which have included the arrest of Orthodox Jews who do not comply with military service requests. Protesters are particularly concerned about threats of mass arrests and new checkpoints established to enforce these regulations.

The complexities of balancing national security with religious freedom are at the fore of this issue. The Orthodox Jewish community asserts their right to continue their spiritual practices without interference from government mandates. They believe that the enforcement of these measures directly contradicts the principles of religious freedom and highlights fears of systemic discrimination against the Orthodox population.

Among the rally’s plans, community leaders hope to unite observers in a call for the immediate repeal of these military draft laws. They emphasize the critical importance of standing firm against what they view as an infringement on their fundamental rights as practicing Jews. This event will be the first in a series of planned demonstrations, with community leaders vowing to take a strong stance until their demands are met.

As the rally draws closer, community members are mobilizing through local congregations and organizations, demonstrating their collective commitment to preserving their way of life in the face of government actions they deem unjust. Rabbi Issac Green, a leading voice in the movement, can be reached at 347-385-1405 for press inquiries and further information regarding the event.

The decision to gather outside the Israeli Consulate reflects not only a local response to national policies but also underscores the larger social and religious dynamics at play within Israel and across the diaspora. The protest slated for August 18 seeks to ensure their voices are heard loud and clear, marking an important moment in the ongoing dialogue about the intersection of faith, identity, and state policy.

Event Details

• - What: Protest against Israeli military draft enforcement targeting Orthodox Jews
• - When: Monday, August 18, 2025 – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• - Where: 2nd Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, New York, NY (near Israeli Consulate)
• - Who: Rabbis and members of the Orthodox Jewish community, organized by CRC

As the rally approaches, many within the community prepare for a momentous occasion that may very well shape the future of their religious autonomy within Israel.