Kele 1000 fund established for families of arrested Bnei Torah

A new financial initiative called “Kele 1000” (Prison 1000) has been established to support the families of Bnei Torah individuals arrested by Israeli military authorities. The fund provides NIS 1,000 for every full day an eligible individual spends in military prison.

The program is designed to mitigate the financial strain caused by unexpected arrests, covering costs such as legal fees, transportation for prison visits, and lost income for family members who must miss work. To qualify, the arrest must be unexpected; individuals who voluntarily present themselves at draft offices, police stations, or border crossings are ineligible for assistance.

Managed by a committee of prominent dayanim and poskim, including Rav Naftali Nussbaum, Rav Yaakov Tufik Abiezri, Rav Yaakov Meir Stern, and Rav Eliyahu Posen, the fund operates on a communal responsibility model. Participants contribute small amounts—such as one shekel per day during an eligible arrest alongside a monthly administrative fee—to sustain the program. Registration is currently expanding through various Chareidi communities, yeshivos, and kollelim.