Serving with Faith

Each year, approximately 27% of graduates from religious girls’ high schools join the IDF, out of a sense of responsibility and desire to be a part of Israeli society. These soldiers serve in diverse positions in the IDF, and over 10% continue on officer training tracks. In 2002, Aluma collaborated with the Defense Ministry and the IDF to establish the Serving with Faith program, to support religious high school students interested in meaningful service in the IDF. The program exposes these high school students early on to the challenges and opportunities that religious girls encounter during their army service, and makes accurate, relevant information available to them. The mentors in the program help potential soldiers find suitable positions that combine the needs of the IDF, the interests of the candidate, and an environment in which she can maintain her religious identity. During the years of service, the program’s staff is available to assist with any issues related to the unique needs of a religious young woman in the army. The program also offers seminars for soldiers.

The activities offered as part of this program include an information hotline, events at schools and in private homes, preparatory programs, seminars for girls who are undecided, conferences, seminars with religious content for soldiers in conjunction with the IDF rabbinate, gifts for soldiers before holidays, online projects during COVID-19, and more.

The staff and mentors are all women who have graduated religious high schools and served in meaningful positions in the IDF.