Who they are
Oppenheimer studied at Kol Torah and Mir yeshivas, then received rabbinic ordination from Berel Wein in 1994. He led Kesser Israel in Portland from 1994 to 2005 and Young Israel of Forest Hills from 2007 to 2017. He served the synagogue in Lavon from 2018 to 2021. He now works as a writer, editor and licensed tour guide.
Positions and record
Haredi service: Supports military or meaningful national service for Haredi men who are not genuine full-time Torah learners, with protected study for those who are and reliable religious safeguards for soldiers.
Education: Supports English and maths teaching for Haredi children and alternatives for pupils who do not succeed in the standard yeshiva system.
Employment: Supports professional education and training that allow Haredi adults to earn a living while remaining part of their community.
Where they stand
Holds the party line on every issue.
Judea & Samariaparty lineRuns on the haredi sector's own questions, not on the West Bank
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & Securityparty lineIt has published nothing on the war or the hostages
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi Enlistmentparty lineAbsolute protection for a young man learning all day, service for everyone else
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
Judiciaryparty lineIt has taken no position on the courts
Court can strike lawsKnesset can override
Economyparty lineTraining, civil-service affirmative action and housing supply, with no wider fiscal line
Social spendingFree market
Educationparty lineHaredi schools stay independent, with maths and English taught inside them
State runs the schoolsParents and communities
Religion & Stateparty lineRuns on the sector's own institutions, not on the state's religion policy
Civil / pluralistReligious authority
Nation & Citizenshipparty lineIt has taken no position on citizenship or the state's Jewish character
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
