Who we serve
Young People Making a Hard Choice
A Separate Starting Line
The men and women we support come from ultra-Orthodox communities across Israel. Raised largely within an educational system separate from mainstream Israeli society, they choose, as young adults, to enlist in general IDF units alongside secular and religious Israelis from every other background.
That choice rarely comes easily
Many face the following challenges
- Literacy and numeracy gaps
The result of a non-secular education track that does not mirror the standard national curriculum. - No family precedent
No family history of military service to guide them through a system everyone else seems to already understand. - Active opposition
At times from the people closest to them, including parents, siblings, and community.
Why It Matters
The system is still catching up
Many IDF commanders and systems are still building training and tools to meet the specific needs of this population, and capable graduates can end up frustrated and under-utilized as a result, rather than thriving.
Left unaddressed, the effects ripple outward. Frustrated enlistees discourage peers, siblings, and future recruits from following the same path, turning what could be a national asset into a missed opportunity for the IDF, the Israeli economy, and a more unified Israeli society. Closing this gap, through direct advocacy and training support, is a core part of our work.