For several years now, I’ve known that my plan after high school was to draft into the IDF. That plan is now my reality, as I return to Israel – and back to my midrasha – to begin this journey.
When people asked me why I was choosing this challenging path, I would usually say something about attending very Zionist schools and camps growing up in the US, and the influences they’ve had on me. While those experiences certainly influenced my decision, they don’t fully explain it.
Only after spending the 2025-2026 school year learning in Israel, amid a war, did I come to understand more deeply the values behind my commitment to serving. Through my Torah learning, my connection to Israel, and the volunteer opportunities to help the broader community, I came to understand better why this path feels so important to me.
Spending my days at Ohr Torah Stone’s Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem, learning in the Holy Land and experiencing how Torah and mitzvot are lived here, reinforced my desire to live in Israel.
In addition, trips around the country, seeing different regions and meeting a wide range of people, also deepened my connection to the land and strengthened my love for it. And despite the challenges of Israel being at war, these experiences were even more inspiring. Being part of a seminary that noticed needs in the community and responded to those who needed a little extra care was truly incredible.
Whether it was running a kaytana (summer camp) for IDF reservists’ families or collecting donations to distribute mishloah manot to elderly people in the community, the school’s actions motivated me to continue giving to the Jewish people in times of need. Partaking in these acts of kindness strengthened my commitment to care for the Jewish people in a larger way, and helped solidify my decision to serve in the army.
Spending the year in Israel also provided important practical support for my draft process. Even though I came into seminary planning to make aliyah and join the IDF, I had very little information about any aspect of this process or even how and where to start.
Support for students who make aliyah
Midreshet Lindenbaum’s “Sherut Sheli” program, designed to support students who remain in Israel with their IDF and Sherut Leumi processes, held sessions on the different service options. We also heard presentations from Nefesh B’Nefesh, pre-army programs, and different Sherut Leumi organizations. These opportunities provided each student the tools to discover how she can serve the country in the most productive and meaningful way.
Through this process, I learned about Garin Tzabar, a pre-army program designed to help lone soldiers draft, and chose to participate. The program has been around for years, but recently opened a Torani (Torah-oriented) track focused specifically on the needs of religiously observant women.
As explained by Rabbanit Nomi Berman, Midreshet Lindenbaum’s Rosh Beit Midrash and coordinator of its “Sherut Sheli” programming, there are systems that make it easier for lone soldiers to draft into the IDF, and others that support religious Israeli girls enlisting – but few options for women who fall into both categories. The Torani track of Garin Tzabar, typically a coed kibbutz-based program, fills that gap.
Garin Tzabar Torani prepares participants for army service as lone soldiers while allowing them to remain in a Torah-centered environment with access to a beit midrash and shiurim (lessons on Judaism).
Participating in this program, based at Midreshet Lindenbaum this coming year, was the obvious choice for me. In addition to providing practical and logistical support, the program will help me stay connected to the very values and atmosphere that led me to choose this path. I’m excited and proud to join the growing number of religious female soldiers defending Israel while we hold tight to our values and grow as individuals and as olim (immigrants to Israel).
As I prepare to begin my service, I know I’ll hold onto my experiences from this year, which gave me renewed dedication to serving both the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
The writer is from Teaneck, New Jersey, and is a graduate of Ohr Torah Stone’s Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum.