By gaining rare access with the traditionally conservative ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, Jerusalem photographer Ohad Zwigenberg created an in-depth and powerful photo essay that told the story of students attending a Jewish seminary as Israel’s draft dispute looms over the election. The community, Israel’s fastest-growing group, has been exempted from compulsory military service, while Israelis have sent their young men and women off to fight during the country’s recent years of war. Over the course of a year, Zwigenberg remained committed to capturing compelling images of the Jewish seminary students, while balancing an exceptionally demanding daily news cycle. His images revealed the students reading and discussing Torah texts, performing evening prayers, protesting plans to require them to serve in the Israeli military and celebrating the wedding of a fellow student.
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