Sherut Leumi
Encyclopedia
Sherut Leumi is an alternative voluntary national service
in Israel
for those that cannot or do not wish to serve in the Israel Defense Forces
. The majority who receive an exemption from the obligatory army service are Jewish women from the Religious Zionist
sector, and they receive it by declaring religious observance, as they maintain that men are to perform that duty, and women are responsible for the family. However, there are also a small number of men who serve in Sherut Leumi. Volunteers are between the ages of 18 and 21. Sherut Leumi gives young women (and occasionally young men) exposure to a number of environments in Israeli society. Service typically requires working 30–40 hours/week over 12 to 24 months. Volunteers have the option of doing either one or two years of the National Service. Not all volunteers are Israeli citizens. It can be done on a tourist visa, and the volunteer will later receive a special volunteer visa that lasts as long as the person will be doing their service.
Youths in other sectors of Israeli society who receive exemptions from the army, mainly Haredi sector males, who maintain that Torah study
is the main practice defending Israel
, as well as most Arab Israeli
youth, may also perform national service, In order not to create a conflict between their country and their Arab brothers (a decision at first taken by Israel's 1st Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion
). Historically, very few did, but in recent years, the number of Arab youths volunteering for national service has skyrocketed. Some Israeli conscientious objectors
who refuse to serve in the army and are not eligible for an exemption, have voiced a wish to do an alternate national service instead.
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for those that cannot or do not wish to serve in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
. The majority who receive an exemption from the obligatory army service are Jewish women from the Religious Zionist
Religious Zionism
Religious Zionism is an ideology that combines Zionism and Jewish religious faith...
sector, and they receive it by declaring religious observance, as they maintain that men are to perform that duty, and women are responsible for the family. However, there are also a small number of men who serve in Sherut Leumi. Volunteers are between the ages of 18 and 21. Sherut Leumi gives young women (and occasionally young men) exposure to a number of environments in Israeli society. Service typically requires working 30–40 hours/week over 12 to 24 months. Volunteers have the option of doing either one or two years of the National Service. Not all volunteers are Israeli citizens. It can be done on a tourist visa, and the volunteer will later receive a special volunteer visa that lasts as long as the person will be doing their service.
Youths in other sectors of Israeli society who receive exemptions from the army, mainly Haredi sector males, who maintain that Torah study
Torah study
Torah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
is the main practice defending Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, as well as most Arab Israeli
Arab citizens of Israel
Arab citizens of Israel refers to citizens of Israel who are not Jewish, and whose cultural and linguistic heritage or ethnic identity is Arab....
youth, may also perform national service, In order not to create a conflict between their country and their Arab brothers (a decision at first taken by Israel's 1st Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion
' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
). Historically, very few did, but in recent years, the number of Arab youths volunteering for national service has skyrocketed. Some Israeli conscientious objectors
Refusal to serve in the Israeli military
Refusal to serve in the Israeli military includes both refusal to obey specific orders and refusal to serve in the Israel Defense Forces in any capacity due to pacifist or anti-militarist views or disagreement with the policies of the Israeli government as implemented by the army, such as the...
who refuse to serve in the army and are not eligible for an exemption, have voiced a wish to do an alternate national service instead.
Programs
Youths work in various programs. The majority work in schools but can also work in places such as special education, administration, hospitals, law, geriatrics, nursing homes, health clinics, teens at risk, internal security, disadvantaged communities, immigrant assistance, and many other organizations. Acceptance is based on an interview via a placement organizations that try to find the youth appropriate skills, interests, and needs.Placement organizations
There are four main placement organizations for Sherut Leumi. They are the Agudah LeHitnadvut (lit. Volunteering Union), Shlomit, Aminadav, and Bat Ami. Each volunteer is then assigned to a coordinator (rakezet) who serves as a supervisor and adviser for the youth throughout their time in Sherut Leumi.Benefits
Bnot Sherut (lit. female youth in the service) and Bnei Sherut (lit. male youth in the service) are entitled to a number of benefits during their service. Many of these benefits are the same as what a soldier serving in the army receives. They include:- Monthly stipend for necessities. Amount varies on location and type of service, though usually is approximately 600 Shekels a month.
- Apartment housing in the city where they are serving.
- Intra-city bus pass (and inter-city pass if necessary)
- Discounts offered by various business establishments.
- Social Programs such as weekend getaways, tours, learning programs, and parties.
- Weekly classes are often available, and sometimes required, on various JudaismJudaismJudaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
related subjects. - At the end of the service, the Israeli volunteers receive a grant that can be used for things such education, buying a house, or paying for a wedding.
- Foreign volunteers receive private medical insurance.
Israeli Arabs in National Service
Rather than perform army service, Israeli Arab youths have the option to volunteer to national service and receive benefits similar to those received by discharged soldiers. The volunteers are generally allocated to Arab populations, where they assist with social and community matters. there are 1,473 Arabs volunteering for national service. According to sources in the national service administration, Arab leaders are counseling youths to refrain from performing services to the state. According to a National Service official, "For years the Arab leadership has demanded, justifiably, benefits for Arab youths similar to those received by discharged soldiers. Now, when this opportunity is available, it is precisely these leaders who reject the state's call to come and do the service, and receive these benefits".See also
- National ServiceNational serviceNational service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
- National Youth ServiceNational Youth ServiceThe National Youth Service was a heavily-criticized program implemented by the government of Seychelles. It was formerly compulsory and included traditional educational curriculum, political education and paramilitary training...
- Religion in IsraelReligion in IsraelReligion in Israel is a central feature of the country and plays a major role in shaping Israeli culture and lifestyle, and religion has played a central role in Israel's history. Israel is also the only country in the world where a majority of citizens are Jewish...
- Status quo (Israel)Status quo (Israel)In Israel, the term status quo refers to the political understanding between religious and secular political parties not to alter the communal arrangement in relation to religious matters, in a predominantly secular population...
- Torah study commandmentTorah studyTorah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
- Torato OmanutoTorato OmanutoTorato Omanuto is a term describing one who's Torah study is his main occupation...
- The special arrangement for the non Religious ZionismReligious ZionismReligious Zionism is an ideology that combines Zionism and Jewish religious faith...
orthodox Israelis (Haredi JudaismHaredi JudaismHaredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
), on postponements or special exemptions from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) compulsory service. - HesderHesderHesder is an Israeli yeshiva program which combines advanced Talmudic studies with military service in the Israel Defense Forces, usually within a Religious Zionist framework...
- combining the Torah studyTorah studyTorah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
practice and full Military service, for the Religious ZionismReligious ZionismReligious Zionism is an ideology that combines Zionism and Jewish religious faith...
("National Religious") sector. - Tal committee (the "Tal law")
External links
- Sherut Leumi on the Israeli Welfare Ministry website
- Aguda LeHitnadvut
- Amindav
- Bat Ami
- Nefesh B'Nefesh guide to Sherut Leumi