Tzofim Garin Tzabar: Garin Tzabar creates a group framework of guidance and support for young Jews and Israelis living abroad who choose to spend a significant time in Israel and to serve in the Israeli army.  It includes a thorough preparation process that includes discussion, questioning and personal reflection prior to the arrival in Israel.  Once they are in Israel there is a Absorption Process  3 months prior to the military service where the participants are placed in  a  hosting  kibbutz  that  becomes  their  home  away  from  home;  prepared  for  the military  service;  attend educational activities; tour Israel; and learn Hebrew at  the Ulpan class. This process is monitored by a Scout member and handled by the Group staff who live at the Kibbutz and includes Director, Counselor, Hebrew teachers, IDF soldiers and educators.  During the 2 to 3 years military service the soldiers receive personal guidance and support; participate at group seminars and trips; enjoy weekends and holidays with adoptive families at the Kibbutz; work closely with the IDF Officials and Scouts Garin staff to resolve personal and military issues.

Religious Army Service Options – There are several various religous army service options in the IDF. Such as serving through Hesder, Nachal Haredi, Mahal Hesder and more.  Click here to learn more

Mahal – assists young Jews from all over the world (who are not Israeli citizens) to volunteer for the IDF for 18 months without making Aliyah.  For more details, see  Serving in Mahal.

Atudat Olim – for new Olim who wish to complete their university studies prior to doing their army service.  After completing your Tzav Rishon, you continue with your studies. If you are studying in a technical institution (i.e., engineers or technicians) you have one year after your arrival in Israel to begin your studies and then 4 years to complete them. For any other academic studies program, you must begin within 18 months of your arrival to Israel and you have 3 years to complete studies. Once you complete your studies, if the army places you in a position that is relevant to your field of studies, you may be required to serve for up to 5 years. According to the army’s decision, during the last 2-3 of these years of your service, you will receive Keva (a higher army salary). If the army is unable to place you in the position relevant to your field of studies, you will have to serve the amount of time that you were required to before signing up for Atudat Olim.

Academezatzia: The Academezatzia program is an army service program that lets you use an existing college/university degree to be placed in a relevant job in the army with an additional requirement to serve as an officer.

There are several steps involved with signing up to this program. The first thing is to get your foreign degree recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Education. This can be done even if one has not made Aliyah. The process of recognizing a foreign degree can be started by clicking here.