to soldiers to avoid being involved in these kinds of situations, and, where that was not possible, to refuse such orders. On the other hand, Drukman urged his followers to refrain from taking part in a massive protest against conscription of yeshiva students that was held in Jerusalem in 2014. Drukman did not support a controversial letter penned by rabbis in 2010 that called for Jews to refrain from letting homes to Arabs. He did say, however, that there may be some instances where this ruling might still be appropriate. Personal life Drukman lived in Merkaz Shapira with his wife Sarah, one of the first religious women to graduate as a physician from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Together, they had nine children, including one who was adopted and another who had Down syndrome, along with dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He died on 25 December 2022, at age 90, at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, after becoming infected with COVID-19 two weeks prior. Notable students Drukman had an outsized influence on Israel's populace, especially in the Religious Zionist sector. Many of the thousands of students from his schools went on to serve in important political, military, and educational positions in the country, including: Naftali Bennett, Israeli prime minister Yossi Cohen, Mossad director Benny Gantz, Israeli general and politician Yoaz Hendel, Israeli politician Israel Katz, Israeli politician Awards and recognition In 2012, Drukman was awarded the Israel Prize for his contribution to society and education. References External links Biography on the Bnai Akiva of the United Kingdom website Haim Drukman on the Prime Minister's Office website 1932 births 2022 deaths 20th-century Polish rabbis 21st-century Israeli rabbis People from Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Polish Orthodox rabbis Polish emigrants to Israel Israeli Orthodox rabbis Mercaz HaRav alumni National Religious Party politicians Morasha politicians Israel Prize Rabbi recipients Israeli people of Polish-Jewish descent Members of the 9th Knesset (1977–1981) Members of the 10th Knesset (1981–1984) Members of the 11th Knesset (1984–1988) Members of the 15th Knesset (1999–2003) Israel Prize for special contribution to society and the State recipients Deputy ministers of Israel Rabbinic members of the Knesset Jewish Israeli politicians Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel