The Jewish Agency supports brave lone immigrant soldiers who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces through several impactful programs. The Wings Program helps over 700 discharged lone soldiers each year transition to civilian life by providing job training, housing assistance, and other resources. Nativ strengthens over 4,500 immigrant soldiers' connection to Judaism and Israel through educational courses. The Keshet program reunites around 150 parents with their children serving in the IDF by sponsoring their first trip to Israel.

1. “I came to Israel and served Each year approximately 700 lone
in the army for three years. immigrant soldiers serve in the Israel
Like other lone immigrant Defense Forces.
soldiers, none of us knew Among discharged lone soldiers: 83% said
what to expect after our they were more prepared for civilian life
discharge. The Wings after the Wings program.
Program prepared me to take 4,500 immigrant soldiers will participate this
my first steps as an adult in
Israeli society.”
-- Ari Blatt, discharged combat
year in approximately 20 Nativ courses to
strengthen their connection to Judaism and
to Israel.
Supporting
soldier from Florida
67% of Nativ participants said that the
program made them a better soldier and a
better citizen.
Lone
150 parents were reunited with their
children who made aliyah and are now
serving in the Israeli army through the
Immigrant
Keshet program.
Soldiers
Vladimir, a bomb detonator
Find out how you can make an impact:
Tel: +972.2.620.2633 v 212.339.6048 in an elite combat unit in the
E-mail: ask@jafi.org e ask@jewishagency.org
www.jewishagency.org
Israeli army, had not seen his
mother in over a year. Thanks
to the Jewish Agency’s Keshet
The Jewish Agency is funded by The Jewish Federations of North America, Keren
program they were reunited
Hayesod, major Jewish communities and federations, the International Fellowship of
Christians and Jews, foundations and donors from Israel and around the world. for a week in Israel.

2. Brave, motivated young adults from around Wings: Preparation for Civilian Life Keshet
the world choose to leave their families With parents living thousands of miles away and
Each year some 700 lone immigrant soldiers
to start a new life in Israel and serve in their children serving in the Israeli army, the Jewish
transition from the army to civilian life. While
the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Jewish this is difficult for any soldier, for lone soldiers Agency sponsors a trip for parents to visit their
Agency supports these brave young men it presents even greater challenges. The Jewish children in Israel. For some, it is their first trip to the
and women through programs which Agency’s Wings Program paves the way for newly country. For all, it is a chance to share their child’s
prepare them for life after the army, bring discharged lone soldiers to find a place to live, new life, even for a short time.
their parents to visit and connect them with get a job and choose their career path. Parents spend ten days traveling around Israel
their Jewish heritage.
with their children, who get special leave from
Pre-Discharge Seminars – a weeklong course their service. In many instances, especially among
Nativ: Strengthening Jewish and that teaches lone soldiers about their civilian soldiers from the former Soviet Union (FSU), the
Zionist Identity for Immigrant Soldiers lone soldiers may not have seen their parents for
entitlements such as medical insurance,
a number of years due to the prohibitive cost of a
Nativ is an educational program that reinforces a new college scholarships and work benefits.
trip to Israel. This emotional visit often serves as a
immigrant soldier’s sense of connection to Israel and Soldiers receive job counseling and financial
catalyst for family members remaining overseas to
his or her Jewish heritage. This intensive, seven-week advice as well as support from local business decide about their own aliyah.
program is offered to soldiers who want to learn leaders.
Cost per parent on the Keshet program: $1,700
more about Judaism, Zionism, Israeli tradition and
history. For those soldiers who are not recognized “Landing on their Feet” Grant – an
as Jewish by the Israeli Government, Nativ offers immediate grant of $500 for discharged
professional guidance and support through the lone soldiers to assist them with initial living
conversion process. expenses and their first month’s rent.
Over 8,000 soldiers have participated in Nativ since
it was launched in 2001 together with the Ministry Cost per soldier for the Wings Program: $1,540
of Immigrant Absorption, and the IDF. To date, more
Cost for grant: $500
than 3,200 graduates have continued their studies
and completed the conversion process.
Cost per soldier in the Nativ program: $1,100