Nefesh BNefesh - Aliyah: Live the Dream

See Also: National Service for Observant Young Women

Sherut Leumi is voluntary national service that takes the place of army service. Israeli citizens and permanent residents who get an army exemption are eligible.

Sherut Leumi gives young women an opportunity to get intensive exposure to a number of professional environments in Israeli society. Most are Hebrew-speaking environments, but English speakers are rare commodities whose skills are greatly valued. It may also be possible to request an English-speaking environment for service. 

Sherut Leumi offers programs in a wide range of fields including special education, administration, hospitals, law, geriatrics, nursing homes, health clinics, teens at risk, internal security, education, disadvantaged communities, immigrant assistance, environmentalism and other related non-profit organizations. Applicants are interviewed and are matched as best as possible, via placement organizations, to appropriate positions according to their skills, interests and needs. Each placement organization works within specific fields, so it is advisable to have an idea of the field of interest, and then to find the placement organization that works within the chosen field. 

One who decides to do Sherut Leumi must register through one of the state-recognized placement organizations. The organization then matches the applicant to the place of service. Service lasts for 12 months and typically requires 30-40 hours/week. Each girl is then assigned to a rakezet (coordinator) who serves as a supervisor and advisor.

Obtaining an exemption from the compulsary army service:

If you have not received your Tzav Rishon yet, but would like to get the Ptur (exemption) earlier than your draft date, the first step is to go to Lishkat Hagiyus to open up a file. This process may take some time so please take that into consideration. If you have already received your Tzav Rishon, you will not need to do this.

In order to get a ptur (exemption) from the army for religious reasons, you must:

1. Go to the Rabanut. For a listing of Rabanut offices throughout the country, see: http://www.rbc.gov.il/RabbinicalCourts/Pages/default.aspx. Bring 2 passport pictures. There is a 42 NIS processing fee. While the Rabanut offices open at 8:30am, you may not be seen until after 9.
2. State to the Rabanut that you don't want to go to the army for religious reasons.  Some girls are asked to meet with a Rabbi who might pose questions to see "if they are religious", others are able to obtain the letter of exemption without further questioning.
3. Once you have the ptur you have to take it to the Lishkat Hagiyus. If you don't have the ptur before your Tzav Rishon, you must go to Lishkat Giyus on the assigned day anyway. Once you receive the ptur, you are responsible for making sure that the army receives it.

You must obtain your ptur at least 90 days before your enlistment date. If you do not receive your ptur in time, the army may decide to enlist you.

Placement Organizations
There are 3 placement organizations through which one can register for Sherut Leumi:

Haegudah Lehitnadvut
Ruti Deshen: 050-643-4183
Main Office: 02-652-1140
www.sherut-leumi.co.il

Aminadav
Hila Meudah: 052-720-3524
Main Office: 02-623-1052
http://www.aminadav.org.il/
Hila@aminadav.org.il

Bat Ami
Liora: 054-723-0075
Ashira: 052-811-9926
Main Office: 02-541-1333
Web: http://bat-ami.org.il/
email: batami8@bezeqint.net

Shlomit
Web: www.shlomit.org.il
Phone: 03-612-9202

Benefits
    Bnot Sherut are entitled to a number of benefits including:

• Monthly stipend for necessities.(Amount varies on location and place of service.)
• Apartment housing in the city where they are serving.
• Bus pass (inter-city and intra-city).
• Discounts at restaurants, movie theatres and cell phone companies (same discounts as soldiers).

Living Arrangements
Most "Bnot Sherut" live in apartments together in the city where they serve.

Social Programs
There are frequent social activities such as weekend getaways, shabbatonim, tours, learning programs, parties for the chagim, etc.

Learning Programs
Weekly shiurim are often available.

General Information

• Bnot Sherut who have Israeli citizenship receive a Ma'anak (grant) at the end of the year. There are two conditions that they need to meet in order to be eligible for this:  

1. She must have a ptur from the army.
2. She needs to have made Aliyah before the beginning of her service.

• Bnot Sherut that are aged between 18-21 and are completing a year of Sherut Leumi, will be exempt from payment of insurance contributions for the duration of their service and for an additional 12 month period (at the most). Please see the Bituach Leumi site for more information.