Gar'in Tzabar - Lone Soldier Support Program

גרעין צבר

Gar'in Tzabar is a unique program founded in 1991 by the Israeli Tzofim - צופים - Scouts youth movement. Over the past three decades, it has supported more than 7,000 young Jewish adults who chose to make Aliyah and serve as lone soldiers in the IDF.

Gar'in Tzabar works together with the Misrad HaKlita - משרד הקליטה - Ministry of Aliyah and integration, the Sochnut - הסוכנות היהודית - Jewish Agency of Israel, Masa Israel Journey, the IDF, and other agencies and organizations.

Gar'in Tzabar is the only program that provides a complete support system for its participants before moving to Israel, upon settling in, and both during and after their army service. This includes full room and board for the entire army service, physical and mental preparation, Hebrew studies, assistance with Israeli civil services, guidance through the army induction process, integration into Israeli society, as well as being matched with a host family in Israel.

What is a Gar'in - גרעין?

A Gar'in (Hebrew for nucleus or seed) is a group of people with common goals (in this case, moving the center of their lives to Israel and enlisting in the IDF as Lone Soldiers); who form a unified group to live a shared life in a local community which provides them with a warm, supportive home prior, during and after their military service.

Current Regions Served

• Australia
• Israel
• Latin America
• North America
• Russian Speakers
• South Africa
• Western Europe

Religious Garin Option

There is also a religious Gar'in option which is designed for young men and women making Aliyah who are looking for a religious framework as they integrate into Israeli society and prepare for IDF service. The Gar'in provides a structured environment that respects religious values, helping participants adjust to life in Israel while maintaining their traditions.

Members of the religious Gar'in observe Shabbat and Kashrut and participate in T'filot – תפילות – regular prayer services etc..

Program Requirements

• Age – From age 18 on the day of enlistment (inclusive), until 22 (women) and 23 (men)
• Prior visits to Israel, or life in Israel for an accumulated time of two months or more
• High school graduate
• Mandatory participation in the preparation seminars
• Certificate of Good Conduct – Proof of no prior criminal record
• Not already obligated to serve in the IDF, according to Misrad HaBitachon – משרד הביטחון – Ministry of Defense rules
• Must be eligible for Aliyah according to the Law of Return
• Committed to participating in the program as defined in the admissions packet

Gar'in Tzabar Timeline

Preparation Process

• Application
• 1st Interview by phone or Zoom
• Seminars
  1st Seminar – Beginning of the process
  2nd Seminar – First Parents Conference (North America only)
  3rd Seminar- Parents Conference and farewell ceremony prior to departure

End of Preparation Period

• Admission to the program
• Time for packing, completing the Aliyah process, and gathering missing documents

Absorption Period

Settling in Israel

• Arrival in Israel – Opening Ceremony
• 1st Week – Settling in and 1 on 1 meetings to deal with bureaucratic issues

 

Army Experience

• Gadna – Sample military experience
• Tzav Rishon – Beginning of enlistment process

 

Educational Absorption Period

• Hebrew studies – Ulpan
• Physical fitness training
• Learning about Israeli society and cultural activities

 

End of Absorption Period

• Gar'in Declaration and pre-enlistment trip
• Option to travel abroad before enlistment (subject to enlistment dates)

Army Service

Enlistment Day

Tironut – טירונות – Basic Training

• Training: 2 to 6 months depending on the position in the Army
• HaShba'a – השבעה – Oath of Enlistment Ceremony
• Sof Maslool – סוף מסלול – End of training Ceremony

 

Military Service

• Regular service
• Meyuchedet – מיוחדת – Special 30-day vacation to fly home – after the first year of service

 

End of Regular Service
For non-officers and non-special units: 24 months for females, 32 months for males

This guide was created and translated by Shivat Zion based on Garin Tzabar's home page. We highly recommend that you read through the site for important additional information.