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Giving Back Through Sherut Leumi:

Three Young Olot Reflect on their National Service

Sherut Leumi (National Service) is a voluntary, 1–2 year national service option for religious women (and
others) who are exempt from military service. A unique opportunity to give back to Israeli society, Sherut
Leumi volunteers work in all areas of Israeli society, including education, welfare, at-risk youth, government
and more. Jessica Zemble spoke with three recent olot to learn about their Sherut Leumi experiences.

patient, the child’s father tried to detained Jews who tried to immigrate
convert me to Islam! He said to me: without a certificate in the 1930s and 40s.
“Wow, you must be religious, because Part of my job is translating the
you are so gentle. I want to save your testimonies of the ‘illegal’ immigrants,
soul.” He kindly showed me how to many of whom were Holocaust survivors
download the Koran online, and made who went through the unimaginable in
me listen to a five minute sermon by Europe only to be put back behind barbed
his Imam!” wire here in the Land. I’ve even had the
Sherut has opened my eyes to what it honor of meeting several of them.
is like to live and work in Israel, and
what it really means to give. I didn’t
know exactly what I was getting myself
Ruchama Katz into, but now I feel I’m contributing
to the country and developing and
Hometown: strengthening important qualities
Johannesburg, South Africa
within myself.
Sherut Leumi placement:
Meuchedet Health Clinic
I originally had no plans to do Sherut
Leumi because I felt my Hebrew was
too weak, planning instead to study
Hebrew at a mechinah and then go to
law school. But I talked to a government
prosecutor who told me she would never Ayala Kessler
hire someone who had not served their Hometown: London, UK
country through either national service
or the army. I thought about it, and Sherut Leumi placement:
ultimately decided that I could overcome Jerusalem Variety Center
the barriers, and I signed up. Ironically, I chose to do Sherut Leumi because I love
I’ve since decided against going to law Israel and wanted to serve the country.
school, but I don’t regret my decision! Atira Ross The army was not a fit for me, so this
Not only do I have the opportunity to was a good alternative.
give back to my country, but I also get to Hometown: Highland Park, NJ
see how the state functions behind the Sherut Leumi placement: I worked in a gan (kindergarten), where
scenes. My job has given me a sincere Atlit Detention Camp it is the little things that truly matter.
appreciation for the healthcare system Whether it was playing music and
and how the country works. It sounds cliché, but I volunteered for dancing with the kids, helping them sit
Sherut Leumi because I wanted to give down to play or eat, or simply putting
So many people truly care about bnot
sherut (Sherut Leumi volunteers). Ori, a back. I believe Israel is the only right a smile on a child’s face, I knew I was
program that provides lone bnot sherut place for Jews to be – I love the history, slowly but surely making a difference,
with guidance and support, is a fantastic the geography and the way Judaism is impacting both my life and the lives of
program. I am in an apartment with the infused even into the most benign parts the children I was responsible for.
most amazing girls, all idealistic and of the day – and so I want to serve it.
kind people. Jessica Zemble studied at Michlelet Mevaseret
I work as a tour guide in the Atlit Yerushalayim, is currently studying Computer
I’ve also had some funny experiences. Detention Camp, about 20 kilometers Science at Machon Tal and is an intern for
One time while checking on a young south of Haifa, where the British HaMizrachi magazine.

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