Shalom!

[BigBabyMoses06]

Screen name is a long story...

My name is Zack, I am 23, from cold Upstate NY, and I hope to be joining the IDF on August (28th with Ulpan).

Just a quick question. According to a response I got back from the Ministry of Defense after my application, am I expected to just show up to Israel with the mentioned documents, and hope all goes well? I am wondering what the chances are of being denied, and what if anything I can do here to find out before finding out over there, and if there is anything else I need to do.

This is what they said:

Dear Zachary,

If the details that you gave us are correct, it looks like you'll be able to start the process of joining the Mahal program.
Please come to Israel about 2 and a half months before the preferred enlistment date.
You should bring with you to israel a letter from a doctor that stating about your health condition, an original letter from a Rabbi saying that you are jewish and an original birth certificate. In addition, make sure that your passport is valid until at least one year after you'll finish your service.
When you will be in Israel call to my office at (removed number) and set up an appointment.
If you have any more questions, you are welcome to ask.

Regards,
(removed name)
The Ministry of Defense
Israel

That said, I am working on my Hebrew via Rosseta Stone, and will be volunteering via Sar-el as much as possible prior to my enlistment.
I'm a big guy, but looking forward giving my service to Israel and to the challenge.

edit: Another question, and this may seem silly, but what language is the majority of your training in?

Just trying to get an idea for how it all works

[Dan from Boston]

Hi Zack and welcome. If you bring the documents you'll be fine. For the letter, I'd suggest an Orthodox rabbi writing on his temple's letterhead. You shouldn't have much trouble finding Orthodox rabbis in upstate New York. :) What could disqualify you is not bringing the documents you were supposed to bring, or else having some kind of severe medical condition that would prevent you from serving.

As for your training, it will, of course, be in Hebrew. Some commanders may be nice and help with a little English every once in a while, but they're not really supposed to.

[BigBabyMoses06]

Great, thank you!
Another question that google and other searching has failed to show is how much will I be making? I am trying to figure out how much money I should allocate to a bank prior to receiving pay.

Still working on the hebrew
Set myself up with VFI/Sar-El today, just some final things to do.
Doctors appointment and flight tickets are next.

Found a place to stay on the weekends!

[BigBabyMoses06]

Cleared by the doc, tickets this week

[Dan from Boston]

Congrats! :)

By the way, the pay issue has been addressed before a few times. But as I recall, it was about 1050 NIS/month after basic training. As a rough estimate, if you can have a thousand bucks or so (a couple would be better) before you start, it wouldn't hurt. But then again, I'm of the opinion that it's best never to put yourself in a situation where you absolutely need to count pennies.

[Reform]

"Please come to Israel about 2 and a half months before the preferred enlistment date."

This is all they wrote?? You go there without any sure informations?

BTW I'm really stressed, I also got a message, then I sent a message to the MOD and I enclosed the rabbi's confirmation that I'm Jewish also the medical stuffs and it's been 3 weeks and NO RESPONSE !!!

I asked them about accommodation and etc and NO RESPONSE HELL !!!

And I'm very angry because 2 days left until apply to the European Maccabi Games (in fencing I want) and I haven't applied yet, because that starts in July and that time I already should be in Israel.

If I ran out of time, because they are too slow, and won't be able to go on the championship I'll be really damnedddddddddddddd

[rafi]

Unfotunately your experience is not unique. It can be very stressful.

I am not certain I understand your question about accomodations. The IDF has no responsibility to provide housing for you, and they won't.

As to arriving early, part of the reason is to be able to close the loop on all these details. The IDF has virtually no capabilities for overseas communications. As you have learned.

[Alex]

The army will not help you in any way prior to your draft. Once you are in the army you will be given a certificate stating you are a lone soldier allowing you to stay in a lone soldiers home. Also once in, an army social worker "mashoki tosh" will work to help you find something better such as placement on a kibbutz or arranging additional money for an apartment, which most of the time you will have to find (the apt.) on your own. There are also apartments form the army where you will live with other soldiers.

but, you only get this once you are in.

You are on your own before hand.

You have a lot of really good people who work hard to allow this program to operate, that being said, The process of joining the IDF as a non Israeli inquiring from abroad is one of the most uninformative, stressful, unprofessional, messes I have ever witnessed. It is well behind me but I can still get myself worked up over it if I try.

Plan to do a lot of research on your options. I volunteered on a kibbutz, got free room and board plus 800 NIS every month. Down side. I had very little personal time and I feel the program may be taking advantage of the situation and looking at volunteers as cheap labor. I would try and come with money and find a room on a nice kibbutz with an ulpan program. It may cost a few bucks but the ulpan alone would be worth it. I can't stress hebrew enough.

Also, they say arrive 2.5 months before and I agree. but if you have a good source of income at home or not enough $ to live here for that time you can come later. That being said the enlistment process is a cluster-F, so you would want to make sure you have enough time to put out the fires that may arise during the process, and you have to stay on their heels.

I think 6 weeks is plenty if you are diligent with mahal office upon arrival.

Good Luck

[Reform]

For both of you thank you very much.

I'm glad it is not unique then. I'll call them soon. I'm having my Hebrew course now I know about 400-500 words and the alphabets. It's getting better though, and I'm training hard as well.

By the way from our community we had a member who organized her aliyah online (of course she had to go for the citizenship) but I know American Jews too, who did the same.

I'm just interested if I can get my visa somehow easier? Like the friends did. For example I attach the Rabbi's certificate to the Sochnut and etc... well, if not, I'll do it personally of course.

[Reform]

I learn Hebrew at the Sochnut. So there is a Jewish Agency in my country. Can't do they give me the visa or only the Israeli Jewish Agency can do it?

[BigBabyMoses06]

I fly out June 2nd, and will be with Sar-El for the majority of my time before Basic WOoot!

[BigBabyMoses06]

Derp.

Happy Independence Day!

[rafi]

I learn Hebrew at the Sochnut. So there is a Jewish Agency in my country. Can't do they give me the visa or only the Israeli Jewish Agency can do it?

Sorry for the delay in answering.

Only the Israeli Consulate can give you the paperwork. THe Jewish Agency is what is called in America an "NGO" or non-government organization. There are strong ties to the government, but they do not perform the legal duties of the Government of Israel.

[BigBabyMoses06]

Figured i should update A2 Visa, check
Waiting on Tsav Rishon date
Alone in Telaviv now :/

[Dan from Boston]

Congrats! Good luck and enjoy the beach while you can.