UMD students attempt futures in Israeli defense forces

By: Danielle Chazen

Posted: 3/25/09

While most college students stress over endless amounts of homework and exams, several Jewish students at this university have spent their time struggling to enlist in the Israeli army.

These students are American citizens who chose to act as volunteers and postponed their graduation dates to dedicate themselves to Israel's armed forces. However, these volunteers found the drafting process was frustrating and time consuming, causing them to return to college and leave their dreams of enlisting behind.

Jessica Katz, a sophomore communications major, and Yonatan Keschner, a junior environmental technology major, tried to enlist and found that the army's bureaucratic nature prevented them from serving.

Both students spent months in Israel waiting to receive a tzav giyus, or order to draft.
Katz arrived in Israel in May 2008, after completing her freshman year. She waited over six months to be drafted before deciding to return to college.

"I wanted to join the army because I am very Zionist and I want to live there one day. Therefore, I believe that I have the same obligation to serve as the Israeli citizens that live there now," Katz said.

In order to enlist, one must prove that he or she is Jewish, meet with the Jewish Agency, attain an A-2 visa, receive a letter from Mahal, a special section of the army for volunteers from outside Israel, be evaluated by a psychiatrist, and take physical and IQ tests at the Tel HaShomer.

"The worst part of the process was the fact that nobody was helpful. The Jewish Agency had short hours. The visa office usually makes you wait two months for an appointment, and you have to wait in line at the Tel HaShomer for most of the day," Katz said.

Elie Berman, a junior government and politics major who was drafted in 2005, said he had to receive a temporary identification number to officiate that he was conscripted into the army since it is illegal for Americans to volunteer for a foreign army.

Katz auditioned for the army band, or Lehaka Tzvait, and was accepted to draft in August, but the army kept postponing her draft date.

To speed up the process, Katz's family contacted Shimon Peres, the president of Israel, head of ground forces and the head of manpower to call the army on her behalf. Rather than expediting her draft, the army saw these calls as a threat to their power and the system in place.

She was told in November that she had to re-audition due to "complications." Katz's audition was moved to January and then to March 2009, so she reenrolled in the university this spring.

"I used to be very enthusiastic about the army, but if anybody asked me for advice I would tell them that their best bet would be to wait until after college and volunteer somewhere else that really needs the help," Katz said.

In July 2007, after his freshman year, Keschner attempted to enlist in Mahal Nahal Haredi, a unit known for being the friendliest to foreigners. He inquired about his draft date and was assured that he would draft by September 2007.

He decided to return to college after his draft date was pushed to December 2007 and his service requirement increased from 14.5 months to 18.5 months.

Keschner remains puzzled by the army's tendency to lose volunteers by pushing off their draft dates.

"You have to fight to get drafted. You have to fight to give your life away," Keschner said.

Yoni Rose, a sophomore music major who drafted in November 2006, said he encountered "suffocating bureaucracy" when trying to enlist. During his service that caused him a "catastrophic ankle injury, which I am now forced to deal with for the rest of my life."

Berman experienced an easier drafting process than most and encountered few problems during his service.

His unit apprehended wanted terrorists, uncovered illegal weapons and explosives, and caught a suicide bomber. Berman said serving gave him perspective on what is important in the scheme of life.

"Having seen combat, been shot at and shot back, allows you to realize how important every moment of your life is, to cherish it, and gives you the ultimate feeling that any obstacle can be overcome, even the Israeli bureaucracy," Berman said.