Imagine a moving ceremony, which concludes with the singing of Hatikva. How would you feel if you were one of the only ones singing without understanding the significance of the words? Many IDF recruits come from new immigrant families, with little, if any, familiarity with the Jewish heritage and culture. Some of them are not even considered Jewish according to Halacha (Jewish law). Although these soldiers serve their country, sometimes even putting their lives on the line, their Israeli and Jewish identity is incomplete. Some of them spoke about feelings of embarrassment at Kabbalat Shabbat services and on festivals, because they were unfamiliar with the stories, customs and songs of these occasions. The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Nativ program, carried out with the support of Keren Hayesod, is designed specifically for such soldiers. Every year 1,700 soldiers spend several weeks learning about their Jewish identity in an experiential framework that includes lectures, discussions and fascinating trips around Israel. “The Nativ course contributes very significantly to the social resilience of the State of Israel”, says senior IDF commander, Maj. Gen. Hertzi Halevi. “It creates an affinity with the State of Israel, the people of Israel and the Land of Israel in those who were not born here and did not grow up with this sense of belonging”. Many of the soldiers attest that understanding Israel’s background and history gives them greater motivation to fight. Many continue on to a special conversion program to obtain halachic status as Jews. The topic of Jewish identity and connecting young people to their Jewish and Israeli heritage is an important part of many Keren Hayesod projects.
Photo: Nativ project participants, 2019