"I can't say that I came here for Zionist or even Jewish reasons," said the paratrooper sitting next to me on Seder night last Monday. "I got into so much trouble back home, all I wanted to do was party. Running away from the police was what made me fit enough for combat service. I thought that coming here and doing army would help me get my shit together."
The others sitting around the table nodded, they wore berets and insignia of combat units, their accents gave away their origins from all corners of the English-speaking world. The paratrooper from San Francisco, a Bostonian serving in the Kfir Brigade who gave up a baseball scholarship to get away from a traumatic breakup with his girlfriend and join up, the Asian-looking Aussie who after five years of living on the streets of Sydney followed in his grandfather's footsteps and joined an elite unit of the Border Police.
We were sitting at a central Seder organized by the Israel Defense Forces for 400 "lone soldiers," serving here without any family to go home to for Passover.
With the main part of the Haggadah and the four-course meal almost over, they coalesced into language-based groups. English was the second most dominant, after Russian.
Better soldiers, better citizens
Despite being naturalized Israeli citizens, few of them are really certain they will continue living in the country after they are discharged. For most of them, the army is the main attraction Israel has to offer. Some of them are the children of Israelis who emigrated decades ago, often before they were born, and their decision to return to the land of their heritage was motivated by their reaching conscription age.
Others have no family connection whatsoever; The decision to leave home and enlist was made almost on the spur of the moment. Some considered whether to join the Marines, weighing deployment to Afghanistan against Gaza.
Jews from around the world have always come to Israel to serve in the IDF. The Mahal volunteers of 1948, many of them World War II veterans, supplied much needed combat expertise to the fledgling army. Thousands of new immigrants who arrived in leaky boats during the first months of independence, mostly Holocaust survivors, were sent into battle with scarcely any training or equipment. Hundreds were killed and some lie to this day in unmarked graves.
In the following decades, there were always some who entertained a romantic idea of heroism in the desert. But the IDF had become a better organized and staffed army and besides unique cases of veterans of foreign conflicts, such as an American combat pilot who had flown in Vietnam or Russian snipers who had fought in Chechnya, it was harder to quantify the contribution of these soldiers in relation to the considerable resources needed to support them.
Many of them arrived with high hopes and motivation, only to be worn down by the brutal and illogical realities of military life. But still they continue to arrive, in recent years in larger numbers.
Over 3,000 lone immigrant soldiers are currently serving in the IDF. About half of them came from the former Soviet Union and are planning to live here in the long run, the army being a necessary part of their integration.
But a growing number are from the West, young Jewish challenge-seekers, over 500 soldiers from the United States and hundreds more from other Jewish communities around the globe. This number may still seem relatively small but has been growing exponentially over the last few years. Officers in the IDF's Personnel Directorate are already talking openly of tapping into the global Jewish potential as a possible solution for the shortfall in enlistment due to lower birthrates and the growing proportion in the population of Israeli Arabs and ultra-Orthodox, who do not serve in the army.
Is the IDF becoming the Diaspora's foreign legion? Has toting an M-16 and patrolling the back roads of the West Bank become more popular for Jewish teenagers than taking a year off before college to go and pick oranges on a kibbutz?
One of the unique societal roles the IDF plays is helping integrate young immigrants into society. "I know that if I can prepare an Ethiopian boy well for the army, he will be a better citizen afterwards," said Lt. Col. Itai Krin, commander of the Michve Alon base of the Education Corps, where the IDF runs its army preparation courses for immigrants.
He has a point, army service has always been a major socializing factor, not only for immigrants but also for young men and women in disadvantaged parts of Israeli society. For the children of families that have already decided to live in Israel, a positive military experience is usually a bonus.
More than the IDF
But what does it say about Israel when a growing number of young Jews abroad identify it today solely with the IDF. For them it seems that immigrating isn't about joining a society, with all its benefits and duties, but simply wearing a uniform and learning how to kill.
Programs like Birthright have tried to capitalize on this identification. Every busload of birthrighters is joined by a group of soldiers who accompany them throughout their visit. It adds sex-appeal to the program and gives the IDF an opportunity to boost its credentials as the defenders of the entire Jewish nation.
The army's generals are simply jumping on a good opportunity from their point of view, but this is still a worrisome trend. In an age when over 90 percent of the Diaspora is concentrated in the West, the fact that the most potent image Israel can market to young Jews is its army is a sign of failure for Israeli society in general.
It means that despite success in the fields of academia, technology and business, the country is still seen as Spartan, insular and parochial, and therefore appealing only to adventure seekers and roughnecks. It means that a growing proportion of young Jews who find it difficult to identify with a Jewish army which is acting in ways that to them are anathema to their universal ideals and even to their Jewish notions of tikkun olam, repairing the world, will find themselves even further estranged from Zion.
Bolstering Israel-Diaspora military ties at the expense of other types of bonds will add soldiers and ultimately Israeli citizens but will turn away other significant swaths of the Jewish people.
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and THEN LEARNED HEBREW My primary inentions were to defend Israel, since we can't count on anyone else
Some of us served in BOTH the U.S. Military & IDF, utilizing what we learned in one while serving in the other Pray tell, which branc of the U.S. Military did you service in?
The author of this article is so eager to force-fit this issue into his ideology that he uses one quote from a random soldier at a "lone soldier" Passover Seder as the one and only backbone of his argument (the rest of it being pure and un-supported subjectivity). What was Pfeffer doing in that event to begin with? Looking for quotes from half-drunk soldiers to support his argument? As any other person, my opinion is equally important as Pfeffer's, and therefore, to me these people are heroes. They are risking their lives to defend the one tiny country that is really theirs.
When I made aliyah although olim are allowed to defer military service as soon as I learned the language to a satisfactory standard first thing I chose to do was join up and although at times I hated it I am glad I did my bit and if there was a war I would be happy to go fight. I think all diaspora jews could learn something ( I don't just mean skills ) from doing some time in the IDF. We have just had Yom Hashoa where we remember the Holocaust victims, prehaps if there had been an Israel then and a strong IDF Israel would have joined forces against the Nazis and jew would be fighting to protect jews. Thats why we need a strong Israel with a strong army to make sure there is always a country where jews can be safe and a strong army to defend it Don't assume that we live in a time where the Holocaust could never happen again We have seen plenty of examples of genocide since WW2. Next is Yom Hazikaon when Israel remebers its dead soldiers I hope you will all remember & honer them.
It seems that it is hard for the author of this article to understand but one of the tenants of a Jew is to feel responsible for his fellow Jew. And given that the Arabs are devoted to the annihilation of the Jewish people ever since the 1920's the best way for a young Jew to fulfill his obligation to the Jewish people is to join IDF. The best guarantee for Peace with the Arabs is a strong Israel. It was Begin, not Ben Gurion or Shulamit Aloni, that made the largest contributions to peace to Israel. The more unilateral concession by Israel brought on by the Left just stokes the Arabs' ambitions to make war.
So don't complain if he encounters harm during his adventure.Why doesn.t your son serve his own country the USA? Strange that the USA allows a foreign countryto kidnap its young
You wanted to say that Israel is seen as a Spartan society and you said it. There are much more jews coming here to study or to have fun. Not talking of the Jews immigrating here (thousand every year). And you see only the few hundreds joyining the army? By the way I joined the army as lonely soldier in my late 20 and now I leave in the Israeli society: unfortunately IDF is part of the lives here and we did not chose it.
,,,i think that foreign enlistment into the IDF is very encouraging, especially given the fact that probably the main threat to Israel's 'Jewish' future does not come from the threat posed by Arabs & Palestinians but by the complete lack of interest in the overwhelming number of Halachic & non Halachic Jews around the world to make Aliyah,,,Secondly, Israel seems to me as lacking a strong enough common Israeli IDENTITY amongst it's citizens. This common identity is undermined by the absence of a Civil Marriage system which is an absolute disgrace & also the fact that Israeli Arabs and Ultra Religious Jews are exempt from joining the Army. This is also a disgrace, conscription should be for every citizen except for those with acute Physical & Mental handicaps. If Israeli society was more homogenous with less emphasis on all the different Cultural & Religious cliques then the country would be stronger for it.
You frequently cite facts which are not visible to anyone but you. Please cite examples of Jews in the US being denied the right to exist. To my knowledge the phenomenon you describe doesn't exist.
My son is planning on officially making aliya, and going into hesder next year. My children have a lot of friends who are in, or have been in hesder or Nahal Haredi. I know that it's hard for the Haaretz crowd to understand, but a lot of us see aliya and army service as a religious obligation. As a matter of fact, I believe that a good part, if not most of Nahal Haredi are Americans from Modern Orthodox families. Also, don't think that my son will refuse orders. He understands that part of his religious obligation will be to obey his commanding officers.
Lone youngsters from around the world, enter the best Israeli military units not in order to serve Israel, but to become self confident, If the army can make out of those mini-Rambos Israeli citizens or not, depends on the army`s abilities to adapt them also to a civilian life.
I'm coming to Israel to enlist as a lone soldier next year. I'm not doing it as a way of earning money or sponging off the State, and I'm not doing it as a way of escaping my life in London. I'm doing it for two reasons: Firstly, because I'm passionately Zionist and I want to contribute something, however small, to the State that I'm so thankful for. Secondly, I'm going to live in Israel and I want to be no different from any other Israeli: I want to serve like them, live like them, and I feel that joining up is the best way of integrating into Israeli society. I may be in a small minority, but I think this article overlooked the people, like me, who join the army for idealogical reasons.
Delegitimisation,denigration and hypocrisy More than reason enough
Two of my children have gone to serve in the IDF. They did it simply because, as my daughter put it, "it needs to be done." Certainly others may have different motivations but the idea of serving to defend other Jews, is quite common.
I tried to join the U.S. Army a decade ago, but was turned down because of health issues. While I might not be an effective front-line combat trooper, I can certianly serve in other ways. I would happily serve meals, clean latrines, do laundry ... I would gladly leave my job in the US, my home in Texas to help defend Israel, in any way I could.
why should a legion of mercenaries be wrong ? im sure, many non-jews feel some strong positive identification or connection with israel. maybe its from the bible, the wars, the holocaust, david, or some corner in the soul... what is wrong, even when it is for "seeking adventure" ? at the end of the day it is the commitment what counts in any enterprise. dont restrict on age. there might be a huge crowd of 50s (and above) coming voluntarily. seeking sense, a task, engagement, commitment... maybe, they even feel more committed to the fight of israel, than to their "homeland" ? why not give it a try ?
...it is easier than having to think for yourself. Others do your thinking for you. -j
This has to be the most absurd and biased article ever printed by this "newspaper", and that is truly saying something. Jews all over the world identify with Israel as our eternal homeland. So many of our nation's sons are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect her. End of story.
Serving in a foreign military has a long history. I am an American, and a Gentile, so no dog in the fight. In the War of the American Revolution, we had foreigners in the Continental Army, e.g: Lafayette, (France); von Steuben, (Prussia); Kosciusko, (Poland). They served us well, and were patriotic to their own countries as well. Americans have also served in foreign militaries: Lafayette Escadrille, (WWI - France); Flying Tigers, (WWII - China). Their patriotic devotion to America was not questioned. I see no reason why a diaspora Jew's patriotism to his native country should be called into question because he joins the IDF.
My son and daughter have pledged to join the IDF after high school graduation. Meanwhile, thousands of Israeli kids are trying to get out of military service. If Israel showed some resolve and drove the Palestinians out of the West Bank and Gaza and sent them to an Arab country, thus eliminating one more headache for Israel to worry about, then they'd see Israeli kids signing up faster than they can build extra living quarters to house them. What's the point in joining an army that's only going in circles.
Reminds me of the French Foreign Legion but serving a more worthwhile purpose.
Ed says that US citizens shouldn't serve in IDF because the USA now has 2 wars going. That's interesting. While the USA needs new GIs for Iraq & Afghanistan; the IDF also needs troops. Hey, learn to be a soldier & learn Hebrew. I know of 1 old gentile who likes that. Both Israel & the USA are condemned for their wars. So there's little difference. I'd like to learn Hebrew before I die. Why not the IDF?
Only the physical existence of the US is not threatened, while that of Israel is.
I was a lone soldier, but due to a low medical profile and only 12 months service, was confined to a non-combat adjutant role, literally in the middle of the desert (more than an hour north of Eilat). I hated it. It was a huge culture shock and had a massive hit on my motivation to serve Israel. The people I served with were uneducated, demotivated, rude (to my Anglo sensitivities), mostly from development towns who couldn't get themselves out of the service, i.e. another Israel from the one I knew (Tel Aviv). Perhaps I wasn't open minded, but I guess we were all disappointed by not getting a good job and being dumped in the desert. Other people in my situation (low profile, 12 months service) told me similar stories.
Looks like the defense of Israel existence is crucial to the wellbeing of all the Jews around the world, no matter secular of religous.
They are angry that they cannot.
I think I must digress from the common consensus that this article is bogus. Indeed, it is bang on. The Western Zionism that I was taught had imagery of a unity of man working for a common cause, usually the spring harvest. Israel was portrayed as a leftist's dream of communal care and socialist society. The Zionism that I learned has not existed since the 30's. The one aspect of Israeli society that is accurately described in the youth groups of my childhood is the army. Although the details are a bit hazy (instead of all young men joining the fight, according to Haaretz almost half of Israeli youth dodge), the one detail that Western Zionism got right is that there are opportunities to fight. Those who travel to Israel to find some action will probably find it. Everyone else will find that the great accomplishments are achieved by a profit driven capitalist machine that has no patience for idealists. They may as well stay home.
Both of my brothers came to Israel to serve. I did not. For one it was a great experience and did help with "getting" the Israeli culture. For the other it was a disaster... until a general took him under his wing and connected him with someone after he was discharged. In the end, #2 brother did not integrate into the Israeli society well. Maybe it was not the IDF. I served a very short time in an administrative position. It was the best experience I ever had, including working in two of the best US companies at the time. I never met better workers, engineers and managers who make things "work". Also, there is no way to learn experience. Sounds silly, but until you are with Israelis 24X7 under pressure and see how things are done, you are simply guessing. The IDF has good and bad: people, commanders, units, jobs... just like life. If you do some time, you may get lucky and end up having a good experience, you may not. I got 1/2 lucky most of the time and that's more than good enough!
The motivation for joining the IDF may be different from the motivation for succeeding and maybe progressing in the IDF (and in Israeli society) as a "lone soldier". I have so many good friends who have served - some stayed, some didn't, but all served in combat units, including some of the most elite special forces units and were (or are) highly motivated. Anyone who has been through military training will realise that for the most part, those that are not motivated will leave when the going gets tough. You should be appreciative that young Jews from the Diaspora care enough to make a contribution, to lay their lives on the line for Israel. Stop generalising - it makes you seem unappreciative and arrogant.
it is because they have a jewish neshama.... and the IDF is a way of them identifying because they are protecting Israel. some young boys come to study torah, others to kibbutzim, others to university, others to party..... each to their own
Are you nuts?! Look at the two wars we're fighting. We went to Afghanistan to nail a terrorist, Osama bin Laden, and they almost had him at Tora Bora, but Bush ordered our troops to back off and let them escape into Pakistan. Then he sends our troops off to Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein and look for weapons of mass destruction that didn't exist. Today, morons like you want to cut off all military aid to Israel while they still face a very old and very real threat of war from their neighbors. And somehow, you think that American Jews should be serving in our military instead of Israel? Consider that neo-Nazis and skinheads serve in our military. Also, consider the incident at Ft. Benning. On September 24, 2008, Pvt. Michael Handman, a Jewish soldier in basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, was severely beaten by other soldiers. Even his drill instructors were in on the harassment. Ask an American Jewish kid today if he feels like fighting for this country after that.
Ed-Many of these young volunteers wouldn't join the American army, it is simply not an option. For one, it's hard to be an observant Jew in the American army-and the second thing, the IDF provides opportunities for people to learn a new language and integrate into a new culture. On their days off, soldiers can enjoy the beach, go hiking, or go to Jerusalem. Many of these young people feel no need or calling to "defend America," and don't agree with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... Try doing that in Afghanistan or Iraq.
my thoughts too
I understand why US Jews may want to serve in the IDF. However, the US is involved in two active conflicts and we need every able body American to serve who can. Therefore, it is wrong for US Jews to serve in the IDF instead of the US Military.
If they wanted to sort out their personal problems in someone else's land, they'd have joined the U.S. Army and would have been sent to Iraq or Afganistan. On a fundamental level, you just can't acknowledge the multi-leveled attachment of the Jewish People to the land of Israel regardless of where they live in the world. How do you expect Jews to promote Fayad's Palastinian State on the West Bank in 2011 if you can't see Jewsih attachment to the State of Israel. Why would you expect respect for a Palastinain State or identification by Jews with Palastinains as a people if you can't respect Jews as a people or their integration with a state of their own.
I know of several cases in the U.S. where defendants in minor crimes were given a choice by the judge to go to prison or to the army, and they chose the army. Does that mean the U.S. army is an army of criminals? Is this journalism???
Unfortunately, the army is known to waste opportunities when it comes to more educated volunteers. Far too many young professionals, with applicable degrees are given ridiculous jobs, picking up trash and gardening on army bases. This makes aliyah and army service unattractive to those who actually want to build a foundation in Israel and ultimately stay long term.
I disagree with the spin put on this article. I am one of these 'young Jewish challenge seekers' who is coming with an undergraduate degree from college, and rejecting acceptance into professional school in order to serve in the IDF. Not because that is the only thing I associate with Israel, not because I want to "wear a uniform and learn how to kill", and not because I am looking for a challenge in life. It is because I am a Zionist, I love the Israeli lifestyle and mentality and I see myself living in Israel in the future, and as mentioned in the article, which I think should be elaborated on, is that the reality of it is that Israel needs an army, and "one of the unique societal roles the IDF plays is helping integrate young immigrants into society". How can someone immigrate to Israel and truly be a part of society without experiencing the army?
There are many more religious American lone soldiers than non-religious, and they are a completely different group. They do come for Jewish and Zionist reasons, almost always defer university or more yeshiva in order to serve, and are not from troubled homes. And most of them do intend to settle in Israel- if not now,then after they are more established.
I am certain Israel is not just an oppurtunity to wear a uniform and carry a gun! This can be done in England, America and Australia. Diaspora Jews see Israel on the news suffering from conflict and probally feel this is a way to contribute. These are selfless heroes although they might be embarrased to be seen this way and downplay their sacrafice. Do not be ashamed of Israel ever. For its small size Israel contributes a staggering amount to western civilization in technology, medicine and business. Compare youself to Beirut. At the same time diaspora Jews should take pride in Israeli military achievements after the Holocaust. Jews should not let our enemies see us down.
The key description in the article which essentially answers the question posed is "young Jewish challenge-seekers." For the vast majority of young Jews, life in the West is far moer cushioned than it is here. And it's not just young Jews who are out there, seeking thrills and adventure. Pick up any newspaper or tune in to the UK or US news broadcasts and you will learn of many youngsters, treking the world, often in dangerous places, or indulging in all sorts of risky sports activities, with greater or lesser degrees of skill. Humdrum jobs are out of favour, though one wonders how these adventurous souls manage to finance their less c0nventional lives.
Maybe Israel' wonderful neighbors force young Israeli's into the Army. Maybe the one of the first aspects of Israeli life that young immigrants will face is military life. Maybe that is why the military Is involved in the Birthright program. Maybe if Israel didn't have these wonderous neighbors and Israel didn't have required conscription there would be greater Aliya from the west. Maybe the soldiers that are working with Birthright are helping make conscription an easier pill to swallow. So, the IDF is not wrong. They are being honest with those that are thinking about living in Israel.
The author has made a generalized & almost degrading statement. I've met so many IDF diaspora participants who are committed to staying in Israel after they've served. How many participants has the author interviewed? It almost sounds as if the author has a hidden agenda. How sad. That's not journalism.
Palestine is a country, whose people want to live their lives in freedom. It is not a playground for bored Americans or Australians who are looking for some kind of "adventure". You don't have to go shooting at Palestinians and galavanting around the occupied territories to get your life together. If you are having some kind of identity crisis or existential dilemma, sort it out on your own time, on your own land.
It was a nice topic, not well explored e silly concluded. There are so many attractions in the Israeli society. The army is one of them besides the feeling that some Israelis don't understand of being able to defend our land because they were born in safe environment far from antisemtism.
Just an injection of politics, along with a condescending attitude toward "galutis" with no real reporting to back it up. I could just easily write an article about westerners I know who have made Aliya and/or joined the idf. None of them were mere "thrill seekers." They were Zionists who wanted to work and live in Israel.
Several hundred young Jews come to Israel annually to join the army. Thousands more come to study, work, volunteer, etc, and many to live permanently. How is this a reflection of a "failure" of Israeli society? It's not like most diaspora Jews who arrive come only to join the army.
In time of trouble we Jews have finally learned to fight together not against each oother.
"Bolstering Israel-Diaspora military ties at the expense of other types of bonds will add soldiers and ultimately Israeli citizens but will turn away other significant swaths of the Jewish people." That is a bogus spin on the very positive phenomena. I'd say it is not good for Israel's adversaries.