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Nearly 300 young Jews from 34 countries to immigrate to Israel and enlist as lone soldiers

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Approximately 300 young Jewish individuals from 34 countries will immigrate to Israel this summer to enlist in the IDF as lone soldiers through the Garin Tzabar program.
  • The US leads with 175 recruits, followed by Canada, the UK, and France, with a notable increase in religious participants and older recruits since October 7.
  • The program, now in its 35th year, has supported over 8,000 lone soldiers, with 85% choosing to remain in Israel after their service.

This summer, around 300 young Jewish individuals from 34 countries are set to immigrate to Israel and join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as lone soldiers, participating in the Garin Tzabar program. This initiative, run by the World Scouting Movement, aims to facilitate the integration of these young people into Israeli society and military service.

The United States is the largest contributor, with 175 recruits this year, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and India. The program has observed significant shifts in participant demographics since 2022. The proportion of religious participants has surged by 85%, and the overall number of participants has grown 2.5 times. Notably, there has been a 20-fold increase in participants from France, and a 65% growth in older participants, many with academic qualifications, since October 7.

The year I spent in Israel further strengthened my Jewish identity and my sense of mission, and made it clear to me that this is the place where I want to build my future.

— A program participant from ChicagoReflecting on their experience in Israel and decision to immigrate.

Participants in the Garin Tzabar program engage in volunteer activities across Israel before their military enlistment. Since the recent conflict began, they have contributed to agriculture in border communities, packed essential supplies for soldiers, and assisted local communities. This hands-on involvement underscores their commitment to Israel.

This year also marks the launch of the second class of Garin Tzabar Torani, a collaboration with Midreshet Lindenbaum. This program aims to integrate religious education with military service, bringing 12 religious young women from the United States. It combines Torah study with values-based preparation for military life, offering personal and community support throughout their service. Over its 35-year history, Garin Tzabar has supported more than 8,000 lone soldiers, with over 1,500 currently serving. Program data indicates a 33% increase in participants since October 7, with an expectation of 550 new immigrants joining by the end of 2026.

The decision to immigrate to Israel and enlist in the IDF through G

— A program participant from ChicagoBeginning to explain their motivation for joining the program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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