Nearly 300 young Jewish men and women from all over the world have come to Israel as part of the Garin Tzabar Scouts program to enlist in the Israeli military as lone soldiers.
Garin Tzabar was launched in 1991 as a source of support and mentorship for young Diaspora Jews and Israelis raised abroad who choose to make aliyah or return to Israel for military service.
The program brings a few hundred IDF recruits, aged 18 to 23, to Israel every year, where they are "adopted" by the Israel Scouts movement. Some 1,100 IDF soldiers are members of the program at any given time.
According to figures from Garin Tzabar, upon completing their army service, 80% of participants elect to stay in Israel.
The 2018 Garin Tzabar class kicked off on Thursday at a ceremony at Tel Aviv University. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara, Dr. Miriam Adelson, Aliyah and Integration Minister Sofa Landver, and IDF representatives spoke at the festive event.
Recorded messages of congratulations and welcome from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin were screened at the event.
In his recorded message, Prime Minister Netanyahu said "Welcome, this is your home, too. We learned about Garin Tzabar from our son Avner, who was in the Scouts in Bat Yam … we have boundless appreciation for your and we all welcome you."
In her live address at the event, Mrs. Netanyahu said that "every time, I feel excitement as I embrace the hundreds of olim [immigrants] who come here with the project. Welcome home, to Israel, the home of all Jews in the world. Our home."
"You have come from all over the world," she continued. "You left loving homes and families. You left college and friends behind and chose to make aliyah to serve in the IDF. There is no better example of Zionism."
Dr. Adelson said the event was a "double pleasure" for her: "First, because I salute your important decision to serve Israel and your parents for raising you well, and second – because this year my granddaughter is here among you."
"Israel must be defended, even at great sacrifice. Only a little while ago, you were Jews in the Diaspora, without any worries, taking your personal safety for granted. Soon, you will undergo a change. You will take national responsibility as Israelis. You'll carry a heavy burden of responsibility for the existence of the Jewish people. Thank you, Garin Tzabar, for that," Adelson said.
Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson own the company that is the primary shareholder of Israel Hayom.
