- Israel

JDC Acts as Ayubu’s Springboard, Helping Him Achieve His Dreams in the Israeli Army

When Ayubu, a bright 17-year-old Ethiopian-Israeli was facing enlistment to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he did not lack motivation or desire to serve. He was determined to serve in Golani, one of the IDF’s top infantry brigades — especially as pre-military testing had revealed that he met the requirements for this intense three-year commitment. However, as a student in a boarding school unequipped to help advance his aspirations, and unlike his veteran-Israeli peers with families who are familiar with pre-army procedures and can help prepare for this seminal experience, Ayubu lacked the support and know-how to navigate this often confusing process.

For young Israelis, military service is a key stepping stone in determining the course of their adult lives. Service in the IDF has the potential to influence their future and often provides direction for higher education and employment. It also fills a social function by bringing together young Israelis from a range of backgrounds in what is an integral part of the collective national experience.

For immigrants, like Ayubu, a positive and fulfilling army experience is even more crucial, as it is a prime factor towards their integration into mainstream Israeli society. Unfortunately, due to the same factors that make this integration so essential — lack of family support or familiarity with the workings of Israeli society — many young immigrants fail to meet their potential during their army service. Whether they fail to enlist, obtain menial jobs, or just simply drop out in the middle of their service, the end result is the same — drastically reduced education and employment opportunities in their adult lives.

Indeed, as Ayubu's draft date drew closer, despite his abilities he found himself assigned to a two-year menial service track, with less responsibility, challenge, and prestige… and ultimately less promise for the future. Fortunately for Ayubu, JDC was there to help.

Aware of the needs of immigrant youth and the IDF's limitations to tend to them, JDC has launched the Springboard Initiative to help compensate for the challenges encountered by these young adults. Working in partnership with the IDF, Springboard combines JDC's expertise in developing services for immigrants with existing army educational and support infrastructures to meet the special needs of young adult immigrants and their families. It provides key intervention in three phases — before enlistment, during service, and prior to demobilization.

For Ayubu, this pre-enlistment intervention was precisely what he needed to achieve his infantry aspirations. Nagista, the local Springboard coordinator, set up meetings with key staff of the IDF induction base to discuss Ayubu's reassignment. Asher, a program volunteer and former Golani officer himself, put Ayubu in direct contact with a Golani unit in order to inspire them to act on Ayubu’s behalf and support his transfer request.

Springboard staff anticipate that Ayubu will soon be accepted into Golani, and will be on track for a more fulfilling and successful army service. As he does, Springboard will be there to provide further assistance including preparatory courses, regular meetings with soldiers, their families, and the appropriate IDF personnel, as well as proactive information resources and access to services pertaining to employment, vocational training, and higher education. This assistance will ensure that Ayubu and many like him not only succeed in their service but are also set for a promising future afterwards.