ABOUT US
Garin Tzabar is a unique program that provides comprehensive services to young Jewish adults (ages 18-24) who make Aliyah and serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as Lone Soldiers.
Upon their arrival in Israel, Garin Tzabar participants are adopted by an Israeli community that becomes their home away from home before and throughout their military service.
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400 participants join per year
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Our soldiers are placed in over 40 different army units
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30% of our participants are officers and commanders
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Over 2,500 proud Alumni
WHY GARIN TZABAR?
"When I was upset and homesick, I could always count on the Garin members to be there for me. When I finished my course in the army, and my parents couldn’t come to the final ceremony, all my Garin members, my host family from the kibbutz, and my counselors from the Israel Scouts came. This was so moving and important for me. It is what every soldier needs. When the family is far away, friends become all the more meaningful.”
- Yael, Garin Tzabar 2016
Garin Tzabar is a one-of-a-kind program, in the sense that it is the only program that gives you a group support and framework along the whole process. From deciding whether you want to enlist or not, joining the IDF, until your release from the army, you will be going through the whole process with a group of like-minded people and coordinators who will help you step by step.
Family
It is almost impossible to explain the importance of the Garin for the young people who serve in the IDF far away from their families and friends. You have close friends who go through the same experiences, face similar difficulties and miss home as much as you. The group of people you will take this journey with will become your family away from home - family for life.
Preparation
From years of experience and watching thousands of Lone Soldiers in their journey in the IDF, we comprehend the difficulty of joining an army and serve far from home. This is the rationale behind our long and extensive preparation before enlistment. Four preparation seminars in the countries of origin and intesnive three-months absorption process in Israel assure better mental, physical and social readiness for living in Israel and serving in the IDF.
Hebrew
We surely understand the importance of strong Hebrew skills for a smooth absorption into the army and into meaningful jobs. Our program is conducted in Hebrew, and we provide professional Hebrew Ulpan classes, as well as two-months Pre-Ulpan to those who have a lower level of Hebrew.
Guidance and Support
With Garin Tzabar, you are always fully supported by professional staff. During the absorption process, each Garin is accompanied by a coordinator and Tzofim coordinator (that keep the guidance and support throughout the military service), social counselor, logistic coordinator and two IDF Hebrew teachers (Mashakiot). Not only that, each Garin member has a host family in the adoptive community that strings along with him during the entire service.
Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy is eased by being a part of an official program that works in cooperation with governmental institutes such as Ministry of Absorption, Bituach Leumi and the IDF. Futhermore, during the military service the Garin provides you with all the necessisites - food, laundry, utilities etc, and also makes sure you understand your rights as a lone soldier.
THE STAGES
how it works
APPLY
PREPARATION SEMINARS
ABSORPTION
PROCESS
ALUMNI
NETWORK
HOW IT
WORKS
IDF
SERVICE
MAKE
ALIYA
In this initial stage, the group meets for preparation seminars, which are built to provide a reflective and selective environment. Different aspects pertaining to the move to Israel are discussed and reflected upon, including study of the cultural, political and social characteristics of Israel and a thorough introduction to the IDF and its social role in Israeli society. Each individual is encouraged to undergo a personal process of maturation towards moving to Israel and joining the IDF.
Mandatory to those with a low level of Hebrew.
Available in the summer session only.
A month and a half of extensive Hebrew Ulpan studies in the Garin Tzabar Village in Ra'anana. The participants come from all around the world, and are accompanied by social counselors. In the afternoons, there are social activities and volunteering.
The first three months in Israel are dedicated to absorption in the adoptive community, advanced Hebrew Ulpan studies (for those who need supplementary Hebrew studies) and handling the bureaucratic issues of absorption in Israel and into the IDF. Each Garin member is matched with a host family from the adoptive community.
Upon joining the army, each Garin member follows their individual path within the IDF. The Garin continues to exist as a support system and members meet in the Garin over the weekends and on time off from the army. The Garin staff, both from the adoptive community and the Israel Scouts, continues to work with the Garin members throughout their army service. Additional seminars and programs are designed and implemented to maintain the framework of the Garin
SESSIONS
SUMMER SESSION
Preparation Seminars:
January-May
Pre-Ulpan: (to those with a low level of Hebrew)
June-July
Absorption Process:
August-November
Enlistment: November
WINTER SESSION
Preparation Seminars:
October-November
Absorption Process:
December-March
Enlistment: March
(High level of Hebrew is required)
Check out Draft IDF for info about joining the IDF and get recommendations from previous lone soldiers.