The mechinot (pre-military leadership academies) now have their first and second representatives in the Knesset. In last week’s elections, Rabbi Rafi Peretz, founder of the Otzem Pre-military Torah Academy, and Chili Tropper, a graduate of Mechinat Nachshon, were voted into Israel’s legislature.
Rabbi Peretz, who completed his military service at the rank of brigadier general, served as a helicopter pilot in the Israeli Air Force and as chief rabbi of the IDF. As founder and head of the Otzem Pre-military Torah Academy, Peretz was a pioneer of the Orthodox mechinot. He ran for the Knesset as the head of the United Right.
Chili Tropper, an alumnus of the first class of Mechinat Nachshon, is an educator and social activist. He served as principal of the Branco Weiss School in Ramla and was a senior aide to former minister of education Shay Piron. Tropper was twenty-first on the Blue and White election list.
We wish them much success in their work for our country.
