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JDC Creates a “Springboard” for Immigrant IDF Soldiers
In 1994, six-year-old Max arrived in Israel from the Kavkaz (Central Asian Repbulics) region of the Former Soviet Union. Like many new immigrants, he faced multiple challenges from acquiring Hebrew language skills to acculturating to Israeli life and building a network of friends.
When Max was in his teens, he felt lost and disenfranchised from Israeli society. Due to a confluence of events, Max ended up with a police record. Because of his police record he thought he could not serve in the Israeli army, a gateway to many future opportunities. Living in Sderot, Max came into contact with a Springboard coordinator who invited him to attend an informational lecture about future options in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Springboard provides training and guidance to immigrant youth before, during and after their army service. The program seeks to reduce the high rates of non-service and drop-out from the army among immigrant youth, like Max, increase their participation in advanced army tracks and educate families about military life so that they can support their children during their service. At the same time, Springboard works with IDF officers to increase their awareness of the diverse needs of immigrant soldiers. Before coming to Springboard, Max felt his options were limited. Springboard helped Max overcome his obstacles and he is now serving in the prestigious Golani brigade. Max fought in Lebanon during the war this summer. He narrowly missed injury when a rocket fell on the house that he and his platoon were using as a base in Lebanon. Unfortunately, several of his fellow soldiers were wounded, and Max treated them until the medic came. "Springboard" opened a whole new world to me and I am hopeful for the future," Max said proudly wearing his IDF uniform. Max is now progressing on a promising path of advancement through his service in the army, but he is still in touch with the staff at Springboard and turns to them for help when he has questions or needs information. After serving in Lebanon for 38 days, Max returned home to Sderot, where he received a warm welcome from his friends. He celebrated his return at a local restaurant where they talked in detail about his experience. Knowing that his parents would worry terribly that he was serving in Lebanon, Max did not tell them. A modest person, Max does not consider himself to be a hero- rather just someone fulfilling his obligation to Israeli society. He hopes that other teens in Sderot will be inspired to serve in the Golani unit when they serve, and proudly speaks about his service to local youth. When asked what his hopes are for the future, he simply says, "to help others understand their options, their future, their potential to serve their country, the same way I was helped." November 2006 |
