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OTS Newsletter - Spring 2003
Participants in OTS's Hadas Program play a key role in one of
the biggest challenges facing the State of Israel: reconnecting immigrants from the former Soviet Union with their Jewish heritage.
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Providing the soldiers with their first serious exposure to Judaism:" Dana Frangi (front, center) with Nativ soldier-students |
Studies at Nativ include Jewish history, Zionism, Tanach, Jewish thought and Jewish lifestyle. "Our main aim is to familiarize these soldiers with Jewish and Israeli culture in a way that links them to the values and life cycles of the country," explains Eliraz Leiberman, another Nativ instructor. "They are fighting for their country, and feel an emotional attachment to Israel. They yearn to learn more about their connection and their heritage."
Both Dana and Eliraz are participants in OTS's Hadas program, which provides a framework for observant, female high school graduates to serve in the Israeli army. Hadas, supported by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, combines Torah study with service in the IDF's Education Corps or, as of this year, in the Intelligence Corps. Army service is punctuated by frequent base visits by Midreshet Lindenbaum teachers, shiurim, special events, lectures and Shabbatonim.
Explains Rav Ohad Tehar-Lev, Hadas director: "Since its inception five years ago, Hadas women who serve in the Education Corps have worked either with immigrant soldiers or with disadvantaged Israelis. With their maturity, dynamism, strong Jewish background and sense of national responsibility, Hadas soldiers have greatly distinguished themselves in these roles. So when Nativ was looking for instructors, Hadas was an obvious source of leadership material."
Muli Jesselsohn, a director of the Nativ program concurs. "Hadas soldiers are playing a major role in the success of Nativ," he asserts. "Their energy, enthusiasm and commitment are remarkable and exemplary. Nativ presents an enormous challenge, which the Hadas soldiers have mastered admirably."
"We feel a huge sense of responsibility," says Dana. "Nativ is providing these soldiers with their first serious exposure to Judaism." Eliraz adds: "It is crucial to reconnect the immigrant soldiers with their Jewish heritage; otherwise, the next generation will lack the motivation necessary to properly defend our country. We feel truly fortunate that we've been given this opportunity to help the immigrants acclimate and to really make a difference to Israel's future."
| After twenty months in the army, Hadas participant Eliraz Leiberman is back in the nurturing environment of the Midreshet Lindenbaum Beit Midrash. "It's such a pleasure to be able to totally immerse ourselves in Torah study after the rough-and-tumble of the army," she says.Yet for her and her fellow students, their days of leadership and activism are far from over: Once a week, the group takes a break from their studies to spend an afternoon at Retourno, a local residential treatment center for young substance abusers. The Hadas participants provide one-on-one tutoring and serve as "big sisters" to the troubled youth. "Many of the Retourno kids have been in trouble with the police," says Eliraz. "For them, this is the last stop before jail. We try to offer them some sort of role model as well as a sympathetic ear." Unsurprisingly, the Hadas volunteers succeed in forming close and trusting relationships with their young students. Rabbi Ohad Tehar-Lev, director of Hadas, remarks: "Most people wouldn't have the confidence, the resilience or even the desire to volunteer with youth in distress." Hadas participants are buoyed by the gratification of "giving" they gained in the IDF; they are filled with a desire to fulfill their own potential and help change the world. Adds Tehar-Lev: "After almost two years in the army, there isn't much they can't handle." |
