Elazar Stern
Encyclopedia
Elazar Stern is a former general in the Israel Defense Forces
and former head of the Israeli Human Resources Directorate
. Born in Tel Aviv
, Stern attended Bar Ilan University, where he received a B.A. in Economics and Land of Israel Studies. He also received a Master's degree in Business Administration from Tel Aviv University
and Northwestern University
. Stern enlisted the IDF in 1974 as a paratrooper, eventually becoming the reserve commander of the Paratroopers Brigade in 1991. In the 1990s Stern became involved in officer training, and succeeded Gil Regev as head of the Manpower Directorate (a name he changed to Human Resources) in July 2004.
As head of Human Resources Stern has overseen a program to convert non-Jewish IDF troops to Judaism
. He has also led the integration of hesder
units, homogeneous units of Orthodox male soldiers combining yeshiva
studies with military service, into mainstream units. While criticised by some religious Israelis that the action was meant only to prevent insubordination of religious troops during the Gaza pullout
, Stern maintains that it is better for the troops.
On October 14, 2005, Stern and his family were assaulted in Jerusalem while praying at the Western Wall
in protest of his leading role in expelling Jews from the Gaza strip. In 2008 he is said to have "stormed the stage" to prevent teenage rock star Shira Gavrielov from performing at a military farewell party on the grounds that she had not served in the military.
Elazar Stern completed his tenure as the head of the Human Resources Directorate in July 2008 and retired from the IDF. He was replaced by Avi Zamir, who received the Aluf
rank.
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
and former head of the Israeli Human Resources Directorate
Israeli Human Resources Directorate
The Israeli Manpower Directorate , also known as the Personnel Directorate and formerly called the Human Resources Directorate, is the Israel Defense Forces body that coordinates and assembles activities related to the control over human resources and its placement...
. Born in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Stern attended Bar Ilan University, where he received a B.A. in Economics and Land of Israel Studies. He also received a Master's degree in Business Administration from Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
and Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. Stern enlisted the IDF in 1974 as a paratrooper, eventually becoming the reserve commander of the Paratroopers Brigade in 1991. In the 1990s Stern became involved in officer training, and succeeded Gil Regev as head of the Manpower Directorate (a name he changed to Human Resources) in July 2004.
As head of Human Resources Stern has overseen a program to convert non-Jewish IDF troops to Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. He has also led the integration of hesder
Hesder
Hesder is an Israeli yeshiva program which combines advanced Talmudic studies with military service in the Israel Defense Forces, usually within a Religious Zionist framework...
units, homogeneous units of Orthodox male soldiers combining yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
studies with military service, into mainstream units. While criticised by some religious Israelis that the action was meant only to prevent insubordination of religious troops during the Gaza pullout
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan , also known as the "Disengagement plan", "Gaza expulsion plan", and "Hitnatkut", was a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, adopted by the government on June 6, 2004 and enacted in August 2005, to evict all Israelis from the Gaza Strip and from...
, Stern maintains that it is better for the troops.
On October 14, 2005, Stern and his family were assaulted in Jerusalem while praying at the Western Wall
Western Wall
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount...
in protest of his leading role in expelling Jews from the Gaza strip. In 2008 he is said to have "stormed the stage" to prevent teenage rock star Shira Gavrielov from performing at a military farewell party on the grounds that she had not served in the military.
Elazar Stern completed his tenure as the head of the Human Resources Directorate in July 2008 and retired from the IDF. He was replaced by Avi Zamir, who received the Aluf
Aluf
Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word...
rank.