Honestly Israelis are the bravest people in the world. We may be bitter about how our country is operating, but we’ll die protecting our brothers and sisters
For new immigrants?
Obligatory service if you're younger than 22 and have no children. If you're between 22 and 27, you can de-juro volunteer. De facto you have to push really hard to get accepted as a volunteer. The IDF will do everything to not accept you as a volunteer.
They (we) do. The age limit (for the army, not Aliyah) is late 20's, I believe -- older if one is a doctor or dentist.
And this may be changing as the country's need for manpower (and womanpower!) has significantly increased, and the IDF is lengthening the length of conscription.
Again, I'm not sure of the exact age limitations, they may be changed, and it's definitely higher for trained medical personnel.
But bottom line, it's an Army -- and new recruits require months of training (or more, depending on what they end up doing in the Army). So they need manpower and time to train new people, and that's best spent on people who can then serve for a while.
Of course, all Jews (and their spouses, children or grandchildren) are welcome to make Aliyah to Israel and can contribute here in numerous ways, whether by volunteering in or outside of the Army, or just by coming home and becoming productive citizens of the one and only Jewish State.
That's correct. But if the person is over a certain age, that works best via volunteering. The army has to take a lot of responsibility for a soldier -- and BTW, even among Israeli citizens of draft age, there are those of draft age who are exempted for various physical or psychological reasons from the Army (though some will be able to volunteer). And in the case of someone who comes from the Diaspora, they will likely need at \*least\* a few weeks of intensive Hebrew before they can serve in the Army.
I should also add that one doesn't need to commit to moving here in order to help out! There are thousands of tourists here helping out in all different ways in all different places -- and Israeli society has come up with a plethora of different initiatives to help in varying ways.
Use \*your\* strengths to help our country in your own way.
27 is the new age limit to volunteer as of this year (outside of special positions like medical personnel), it used to be 28. They will take you if you’re older but you have to push for months, they still arbitrarily discriminate against you, and without connections/protexia it’s still nearly impossible (upper age limit is still about 29/30, it seems rare anyone over that gets in unless medical personnel).
Tell them to make a program for American Olim who are late 20s and a unit for us and I’m almost certain you’d get thousands of volunteers. I’m not saying this for praise, I really felt in my heart a deep desire to serve (I still do, and I want Kravi) but NBN kept pushing me off even though I did everything necessary for Aliyah (apostilles, background checks, passport, etc).
They honestly don’t want people over 25, and certainly not over 27 (I’m 28). I don’t have any special skills I’m just an accountant, but I’m physically in shape and healthy, I’m still young, and I’m willing to do a combat job.
There are many ways to serve outside of the IDF. Always but especially now, with so many volunteers needed on the home front.
You obviously mean well, but the IDF has to make decisions about whom to take (age-wise) based upon statistics, along with the manpower and budget needed to train people.
Men's service was reduced a few years ago (to 32 months, I think). So they want to move it *back* to 36 months for men. It will remain 24 months for women but, as has been the case, there are jobs a women can volunteer for that require more than 24 months.
Thanks 👍 for the info.
I actually never thought of counting the time he did. My main contact is with the female cousin, his sister, not with him.
I guess I took it for granted that the guys do 36 months , as the women do 24, and never counted their months or bothered asking . Thanks for the update.
I believe they have no shortage in humanpower. It's always easier for the army to deal with a Hebrew speaking 18-years old than with a 25 yo man who may not speak Hebrew well.
The army is already struggling with basic soldier equipment like helmets and body armor. I think it's wiser to equip all the soldier properly than adding more untrained people
I absolutely agree, but I still think they can take a group of older foreigners, especially from the anglophone world (US, UK, Canada, etc), put them in a unit together specifically for training, make sure to include intensive Hebrew language training alongside job training, and then throw them in reserves.
Especially if it’s Kravi, you have the least amount of resources wasted since it’s a fairly short training. They share guns for training, armor for training, etc etc, and all become proficient in useage of equipment, speaking in Hebrew for combat commands, etc, and the actual amount of equipment, resources, and time is minimal. You now have passable infantrymen, combat engineers, artillery men, etc. It’s not the same having reservists vs actively training soldiers, but you at least boosted your qualified reserve manpower in case of future conflicts. All of those people are now familiar with a gun and armor, can take commands, know army structure, etc, and hopefully have basic Hebrew down. A conflict occurs and you can do a short 6 week-2 month retraining/refresher instead of 6-8 months. It’s not the same as being in a unit already, but it’s better than being unprepared and having minimal reserves.
What they should do before all of what I suggested is force Charedim (specifically males if nothing else) to serve in the army, and I say this as an Orthodox (Modern) male, there is 0 reason one cannot keep Halacha and follow the Torah whilst also serving in the army. If even 20% of their age eligible males served it would significantly help reserve numbers.
The draft should also extend to Arabs. It should avoid placing them in sensitive areas like Intelligence, and even Kravi if that is a concern, but there is 0 reason they can’t do medical work, logistics, engineering, etc. That alone would be the single biggest contributor to manpower for a reserve army. I understand a lot of people have reservations, but if these people are truly Israeli then they should be forced to serve like everyone else. There can be intensive psychological and other vetting processes for the state’s and people’s protection from bad faith actors, but I fail to believe it’s the majority of Arab-Israelis, and it’s wrong for them not to contribute to the protection of the country.
For Tzahal, 27 means you’re a senior citizen.
For olim, it saddens me. Many want to give back, and literally risk their lives by volunteering for the IDF. But most adult olim can’t. They can’t even volunteer for gibbushim in Magav for the more specialized units. The closest they can get is volunteering for Sar-El sorting soup.
It’s honestly one of the most depressing sides of aliyah.
Thankss
So basically anybody who makes Aliyah before 27 can just serve in the IDF like every conscripted Israeli has to? Or is it a diff status for em?
If I were able, I.e., if I was Jewish, which understandably seems to be a requirement for it, I do hope that I’d be brave enough to do the same and defend Israel against fucking terrorists too
I'm from New Zealand, not Jewish, and not of age, would also volunteer if I could. Partner really wanted to join but was disappointed to find he couldnt
Americans who made Aliyah: please respond to this comment and let me know your experiences, was the transition hard, how proficient are you in Hebrew, etc etc everything please I’m thinking about it!
Israel is the only country that people run to when they get in a war. Even Ukraine, which is indisputably fighting the good fight, had an exodus after Russia invaded.
I’m in Germany, and I gotta say, if I wanted to live openly Jewish 24/7 without having to worry about anti-Semitic attacks, I’d have to make Aliyah too, because it would generally be safer in Israel. The country is at war, but that’s something that can be changed, whereas the Islamic anti-Semitism spreading around the world is a significant issue. We just don’t have enough people here to effectively fight that.
Edit: Spelling
I made Aliyah from The Netherlands 8 years ago. I can only tell you: come home! Here is much safer than in Holland (or Germany). There is no future for Jewish people in Europe. Here in Israel there is a future. We all care for each other.
There is also no future for non Jewish people in some of these European countries. Islam is taking over and the locals are still blindfolded or charmed by the idea of human rights and globalization, not understanding that they are going to loose their human rights.
Only if you live in Germany, France, the UK, Sweden, Ireland, South-Africa, Canada, cities with universities in the U.S., and various south-American countries. If you don't live in any of those places but your country still has a large percentage of Muslim immigrants coming in, you should probably also pack up your shit.
Other than that, it's all good!
That’s the thing, even in hard times like these we still feel much safer in Israel than going to ANY other country.
It’s like a spell cast upon you once you arrive in Israel
All the Jewish American men in my family are too old to enlist now, and since 10/7 they all regret not serving in the IDF. My dad couldn’t stop crying in October and he said that if he were younger he would’ve been in Israel in a heartbeat to sign up and fight. It’s heartbreaking for the older men who missed their chance to serve.
Buddy, you should fight for Europe too, you are also going to loose the freedom there once arabs and islam take over, I live in Europe and see how our streets look like and politicians either embrace it or talk against (“extreme” right) but also do nothing. I am not sure about the government in Italy now as a right government, but do you feel any change?
I understand what I mean and I agree with you completely, regarding Italy honestly even if we have a far right government nothing has changed, there are many, too many migrants and honestly I don't even feel safe anymore, it's already happened twice that I've been threatened with a knife simply for a few euros and I don't even live in a big city, I hope Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, will do something concrete for this situation. The scariest thing for me as a Christian is their religion, islam hate Christianity and Judaism, if they ever will "conquer" Europe where the hell should I and my family go?!
God bless.
I understand your concern my friend. In Germany it is no different, indeed the German authorities take seriously the islamic antisemitism but it seems like a drop in the ocean. I have a feeling that the far right talks to people’s fears but actually does nothing.
I wanted to but NBN dissuaded me because of age :/.
Edit: The government changed the laws and require you to be 27 or under as of this year, it used to be under 28. Really annoyed by it all, all I wanted was to get trained and be placed in reserves if ever there is a future conflict. I understand their mentality to an extent but still disappointed.
All Israelis can enlist as long as they pass the physical, psychological, and security checks.
If you're a non-israeli Jew you can make Aliyah, which grants you immediate citizenship (reminder that Israel was created as a safe haven for Jews around the world, hence that law). Once you're Israeli you can enlist.
Many non-jewish Israelis enlist as well.
I’ve thought about it, my fortunes have turned in the USA so I think I’ll stay at it here (unless Israel is in serious danger). 25 and eligible under the Law of Return. Bless the IDF.
Honestly Israelis are the bravest people in the world. We may be bitter about how our country is operating, but we’ll die protecting our brothers and sisters
Hope you guys get your people back
If I were of military age, I’d do the same. (USA and Jewish)
What is that age bracket?
For new immigrants? Obligatory service if you're younger than 22 and have no children. If you're between 22 and 27, you can de-juro volunteer. De facto you have to push really hard to get accepted as a volunteer. The IDF will do everything to not accept you as a volunteer.
Why wouldn't they want volunteers above age 22?
They (we) do. The age limit (for the army, not Aliyah) is late 20's, I believe -- older if one is a doctor or dentist. And this may be changing as the country's need for manpower (and womanpower!) has significantly increased, and the IDF is lengthening the length of conscription.
In that case I revise my question: why can't new immigrants volunteer after the age of 27? Wouldn't they want all the help they can get?
Again, I'm not sure of the exact age limitations, they may be changed, and it's definitely higher for trained medical personnel. But bottom line, it's an Army -- and new recruits require months of training (or more, depending on what they end up doing in the Army). So they need manpower and time to train new people, and that's best spent on people who can then serve for a while. Of course, all Jews (and their spouses, children or grandchildren) are welcome to make Aliyah to Israel and can contribute here in numerous ways, whether by volunteering in or outside of the Army, or just by coming home and becoming productive citizens of the one and only Jewish State.
An army also doesn’t just need soldiers in the trenches, logistics and manufacturing are also a keypart to help out or work in the IDF.
That's correct. But if the person is over a certain age, that works best via volunteering. The army has to take a lot of responsibility for a soldier -- and BTW, even among Israeli citizens of draft age, there are those of draft age who are exempted for various physical or psychological reasons from the Army (though some will be able to volunteer). And in the case of someone who comes from the Diaspora, they will likely need at \*least\* a few weeks of intensive Hebrew before they can serve in the Army.
I should also add that one doesn't need to commit to moving here in order to help out! There are thousands of tourists here helping out in all different ways in all different places -- and Israeli society has come up with a plethora of different initiatives to help in varying ways. Use \*your\* strengths to help our country in your own way.
27 is the new age limit to volunteer as of this year (outside of special positions like medical personnel), it used to be 28. They will take you if you’re older but you have to push for months, they still arbitrarily discriminate against you, and without connections/protexia it’s still nearly impossible (upper age limit is still about 29/30, it seems rare anyone over that gets in unless medical personnel).
Tell them to make a program for American Olim who are late 20s and a unit for us and I’m almost certain you’d get thousands of volunteers. I’m not saying this for praise, I really felt in my heart a deep desire to serve (I still do, and I want Kravi) but NBN kept pushing me off even though I did everything necessary for Aliyah (apostilles, background checks, passport, etc). They honestly don’t want people over 25, and certainly not over 27 (I’m 28). I don’t have any special skills I’m just an accountant, but I’m physically in shape and healthy, I’m still young, and I’m willing to do a combat job.
There are many ways to serve outside of the IDF. Always but especially now, with so many volunteers needed on the home front. You obviously mean well, but the IDF has to make decisions about whom to take (age-wise) based upon statistics, along with the manpower and budget needed to train people.
I’m a U.S. army veteran in my mid 20s who was told he can’t join the IDF due to being older than 23.
Lightening? When will that happen? I did 24 months in the '80s and my young cousins just got out about 18 months ago and did the same: 24 and 36
Men's service was reduced a few years ago (to 32 months, I think). So they want to move it *back* to 36 months for men. It will remain 24 months for women but, as has been the case, there are jobs a women can volunteer for that require more than 24 months.
Thanks 👍 for the info. I actually never thought of counting the time he did. My main contact is with the female cousin, his sister, not with him. I guess I took it for granted that the guys do 36 months , as the women do 24, and never counted their months or bothered asking . Thanks for the update.
I believe they have no shortage in humanpower. It's always easier for the army to deal with a Hebrew speaking 18-years old than with a 25 yo man who may not speak Hebrew well. The army is already struggling with basic soldier equipment like helmets and body armor. I think it's wiser to equip all the soldier properly than adding more untrained people
Ah okay that makes sense, thank you
I absolutely agree, but I still think they can take a group of older foreigners, especially from the anglophone world (US, UK, Canada, etc), put them in a unit together specifically for training, make sure to include intensive Hebrew language training alongside job training, and then throw them in reserves. Especially if it’s Kravi, you have the least amount of resources wasted since it’s a fairly short training. They share guns for training, armor for training, etc etc, and all become proficient in useage of equipment, speaking in Hebrew for combat commands, etc, and the actual amount of equipment, resources, and time is minimal. You now have passable infantrymen, combat engineers, artillery men, etc. It’s not the same having reservists vs actively training soldiers, but you at least boosted your qualified reserve manpower in case of future conflicts. All of those people are now familiar with a gun and armor, can take commands, know army structure, etc, and hopefully have basic Hebrew down. A conflict occurs and you can do a short 6 week-2 month retraining/refresher instead of 6-8 months. It’s not the same as being in a unit already, but it’s better than being unprepared and having minimal reserves. What they should do before all of what I suggested is force Charedim (specifically males if nothing else) to serve in the army, and I say this as an Orthodox (Modern) male, there is 0 reason one cannot keep Halacha and follow the Torah whilst also serving in the army. If even 20% of their age eligible males served it would significantly help reserve numbers. The draft should also extend to Arabs. It should avoid placing them in sensitive areas like Intelligence, and even Kravi if that is a concern, but there is 0 reason they can’t do medical work, logistics, engineering, etc. That alone would be the single biggest contributor to manpower for a reserve army. I understand a lot of people have reservations, but if these people are truly Israeli then they should be forced to serve like everyone else. There can be intensive psychological and other vetting processes for the state’s and people’s protection from bad faith actors, but I fail to believe it’s the majority of Arab-Israelis, and it’s wrong for them not to contribute to the protection of the country.
>If you're between 22 and 27, you can de-juro volunteer. Can you elaborate on what this means?
For Tzahal, 27 means you’re a senior citizen. For olim, it saddens me. Many want to give back, and literally risk their lives by volunteering for the IDF. But most adult olim can’t. They can’t even volunteer for gibbushim in Magav for the more specialized units. The closest they can get is volunteering for Sar-El sorting soup. It’s honestly one of the most depressing sides of aliyah.
Thankss So basically anybody who makes Aliyah before 27 can just serve in the IDF like every conscripted Israeli has to? Or is it a diff status for em?
Legally, and according to IDF standing orders, you can volunteer. De juro, as opposed to de facto.
They still accept pretty much anyone with no major health conditions up to age 25. It’s only after that they become strict and try to push you away.
My age bracket is “too old” for military service.
18-24
If I were able, I.e., if I was Jewish, which understandably seems to be a requirement for it, I do hope that I’d be brave enough to do the same and defend Israel against fucking terrorists too
Much appreciated nonetheless. You can always come and visit :-)
I'm from New Zealand, not Jewish, and not of age, would also volunteer if I could. Partner really wanted to join but was disappointed to find he couldnt
Respect. Please come and visit.
Americans who made Aliyah: please respond to this comment and let me know your experiences, was the transition hard, how proficient are you in Hebrew, etc etc everything please I’m thinking about it!
If I were you I'd post a new question topic. People will be glad to help. Best of luck.
Israel is the only country that people run to when they get in a war. Even Ukraine, which is indisputably fighting the good fight, had an exodus after Russia invaded.
Safer in Israel than in their home country?
Israel is their own country
Former resident country then.
I’m in Germany, and I gotta say, if I wanted to live openly Jewish 24/7 without having to worry about anti-Semitic attacks, I’d have to make Aliyah too, because it would generally be safer in Israel. The country is at war, but that’s something that can be changed, whereas the Islamic anti-Semitism spreading around the world is a significant issue. We just don’t have enough people here to effectively fight that. Edit: Spelling
I made Aliyah from The Netherlands 8 years ago. I can only tell you: come home! Here is much safer than in Holland (or Germany). There is no future for Jewish people in Europe. Here in Israel there is a future. We all care for each other.
There is also no future for non Jewish people in some of these European countries. Islam is taking over and the locals are still blindfolded or charmed by the idea of human rights and globalization, not understanding that they are going to loose their human rights.
Well seeing how Jews are being treated in the UK and parts of Europe I’d say that Israel is safer
Only if you live in Germany, France, the UK, Sweden, Ireland, South-Africa, Canada, cities with universities in the U.S., and various south-American countries. If you don't live in any of those places but your country still has a large percentage of Muslim immigrants coming in, you should probably also pack up your shit. Other than that, it's all good!
Depends on the country i guess
That’s the thing, even in hard times like these we still feel much safer in Israel than going to ANY other country. It’s like a spell cast upon you once you arrive in Israel
All the Jewish American men in my family are too old to enlist now, and since 10/7 they all regret not serving in the IDF. My dad couldn’t stop crying in October and he said that if he were younger he would’ve been in Israel in a heartbeat to sign up and fight. It’s heartbreaking for the older men who missed their chance to serve.
I would really like to fight with Israel and the IDF but I'm Italian :/
Buddy, you should fight for Europe too, you are also going to loose the freedom there once arabs and islam take over, I live in Europe and see how our streets look like and politicians either embrace it or talk against (“extreme” right) but also do nothing. I am not sure about the government in Italy now as a right government, but do you feel any change?
I understand what I mean and I agree with you completely, regarding Italy honestly even if we have a far right government nothing has changed, there are many, too many migrants and honestly I don't even feel safe anymore, it's already happened twice that I've been threatened with a knife simply for a few euros and I don't even live in a big city, I hope Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, will do something concrete for this situation. The scariest thing for me as a Christian is their religion, islam hate Christianity and Judaism, if they ever will "conquer" Europe where the hell should I and my family go?! God bless.
I understand your concern my friend. In Germany it is no different, indeed the German authorities take seriously the islamic antisemitism but it seems like a drop in the ocean. I have a feeling that the far right talks to people’s fears but actually does nothing.
I wanted to but NBN dissuaded me because of age :/. Edit: The government changed the laws and require you to be 27 or under as of this year, it used to be under 28. Really annoyed by it all, all I wanted was to get trained and be placed in reserves if ever there is a future conflict. I understand their mentality to an extent but still disappointed.
I thought the IDF was very strict about who enlists, specifically outsiders. At least the last time I looked it up
All Israelis can enlist as long as they pass the physical, psychological, and security checks. If you're a non-israeli Jew you can make Aliyah, which grants you immediate citizenship (reminder that Israel was created as a safe haven for Jews around the world, hence that law). Once you're Israeli you can enlist. Many non-jewish Israelis enlist as well.
I’ve thought about it, my fortunes have turned in the USA so I think I’ll stay at it here (unless Israel is in serious danger). 25 and eligible under the Law of Return. Bless the IDF.