Sara Hamaoui
In-the-Aretz Correspondent
It is very commonly known that the Israeli army drafts their citizens once they turn 18. But what is less commonly known is the choice to decline, or even to choose a different route to serve the country. This is called Sherut Leumi, and it is actually much more important that many are led to believe.
Upon turning 18, if young Israeli citizens wish to decline the army, a very valid choice depending on the situation for a variety of reasons, they are required to get a ptor. This basically means that they need an exemption. For people living outside of Israel, all they have to do is prove that they don’t live in the country. For those in Israel, however, they are required to go to a government office and provide reasons for why they won’t be drafting. These reasons can range anywhere from health conditions to simply not wanting to.
Despite getting this ptor, it is a very widely accepted notion in Israel that all citizens should give back to their country before continuing to university. Indeed, it’s pretty rare to find an Israeli younger than 20 in any post-secondary education.
In order to give back in a way that doesn’t constitute the army, many people will join the Sherut Leumi program, also known as “national service” or volunteering. Most people who participate in this program are women, as it is not incredibly common for women to be in the army. But, as times are changing, many men are also joining the program, leading to a wide variety of volunteers.
But what actually is Sherut Leumi? Good question! Let’s get into it.
People who choose to join this program, also called Bnot Sherut and Bnei Sherut, essentially volunteer in the public sectors of Israel. The variety in jobs and placements offered is absolutely astounding, as the need for them is so great in a newly flourishing economy like Israel.
Jobs include working in healthcare, childcare, museums, tour groups, zoos, education, disability resource centers, and so many more.
To become a part of Sherut Leumi, the volunteer would need to go through one of many programs. These include Aminadav, Bat Ami, Shlomit, etc. Each of these programs specializes in a job sector, so participants will usually choose based on that preference.
Once part of a program, they need to apply to the placements like any other job, going through interviews with each sector. Once getting the job, they are officially considered part of the Sherut Leumi program, and this gives them certain benefits.
Volunteers are given free apartments that they share with multiple other people which will house them closer to their placement. They are also given government stipends every month which they can use for whatever they want. Additionally, every group of people is given a rakezet, who works as a sort of advisor and mentor throughout the whole process and time at their job.
The placements last 12 months, with the option of a second year encouraged for those who can.
Anyone who wishes to join Sherut Leumi from outside of the country is welcome to as well! These people are called lone Bnot Sherut, and the process is basically the same as those of an Israeli-born volunteer, aside for certain extra perks.
They are required to have a better apartment, because they cannot return home to their families, as well as a few other small things depending on where they are placed.
For English speakers who wish to be lone Bnot Sherut, but have a hard time navigating the scene, there is an incredible program called Netivot Aliyah. This program works through Aminadav, and gives the volunteers extra help and benefit, as they are not yet integrated in Israeli society.
The program offers two tracks; one regular track and one for those who require extra support. The regular track guarantees an English speaking rakezet who is more hands-on and assists with the interview process. It also guarantees an apartment full of only English speakers, and many extra activities to help with integration. The track for extra support guarantees all of this, plus more. The volunteers get shorter work days, and even have Wednesdays off every week. They also have an extra mentor to help them adapt to Israeli culture, Aliyah papers, and even mundane tasks around the apartment.
All in all, this program is great for people who did not grow up in Israel and are not sure exactly how to proceed.
Sherut Leumi is an incredible program which provides the country with so much assistance. These volunteers are often overlooked, but they usually make up the secret behind-the-scenes heroes of the country.
For anyone who wishes to give back to Israel but cannot (or doesn’t wish to) join the army, perhaps consider Sherut Leumi as an alternative!
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