A record number of American teens volunteer to enlist in the IDF
Just this year, 350 teens from the U.S. elect to move to Israel for the sole
purpose of enlisting to the IDF, the majority going on to combat and elite
units
Date: 23/07/2012, 2:50 PM Author: IDF Website
http://www.idf.il/1283-16654-en/Dover.aspx

This summer, a record 350 Jewish American teens made the brave decision to
leave behind their families and homes in the Unites States, move to Israel
completely on their own and volunteer to enlist to the IDF. The majority of
these highly motivated, Zionistic teens wish to draft to combat and infantry
units, a select group will even join the most classified, elite commando
units in the IDF.

Between the ages of 18 and 22, 120 of these teens will fly to Israel
together in a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight in the coming weeks. The Nefesh
B'Nefesh organization along with the Friends of the IDF (FIDF) and the
Israeli Scouts' Garin Tzabar program accompany the volunteers throughout
their integration in Israeli society and enlistment to the IDF. Upon moving
to Israel, the soon-to-be soldiers will also be supported by Ministry of
Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Deputy Head of the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization Mr. Erez Halfon said last
night that "this is the best answer to Iran's and Hezbollah's terror
activity: Jewish teens from North America that leave behind the easy life
for the Zionistic ideal."

The Garin Tzabar program enables interested teens from all across the globe
to immigrate to Israel and serve in the IDF. In cooperation with the Israeli
Scouts (Tzofim) and the Education and Youth Corps, the program accompanies
the volunteers as they are absorbed in Israel living in kibbutzim and
throughout their military service. Today, over 20 percent of the IDF are new
immigrants.

Founded over 20 years ago, the Garin Tzabar project already helped over
1,500 teens from all around the world join the IDF and approximately 70
percent of the immigrants have stayed in Israel after their service.

With the Garin, they learn about the army and Israel, tour the country, and
are prepared for their military service. The program gives them a home and
supports the teens throughout their service. The number of teens joining the
program as well as the number of Garin Tzabar soldiers taking on commanding
positions increases every year.