Support Zalman's Journey to Serve Israel

Hi all,

My names zalman and I will be drafting into the israeli army in less than 3 months in November.

Many have asked why I want to join the Israeli army. Despite having dreamed of doing so for some years now, I find this question quite difficult to answer. That is because my decision to come here was informed by a "feeling" as much as it was based upon reason. Nevertheless, I'll try to outline my reasoning to serve, from a young age I was awed by the israeli backpackers that were passing by my family home for shabbat meals, hearing their stories and their will to uphold our homeland always resonated with me and hearing about the life of my grandfather having fought in both the 6th day and sinai war.

Life is about so much more than earning an income or putting food on the table. Having become absorbed in these pursuits, I feel that many have allowed themselves to lose sight of what truly matters. That is, to give of oneself to something greater than oneself. In my opinion, this is where true meaning lies. In my case it's my connection to Israel, and this connection drives my desire to serve in the Israeli army. It's more than just a sense of duty it's about protecting and contributing to a nation that I feel is an integral part of my identity. The thought of serving in the Israeli army fills me with a sense of purpose and pride. It’s not just about the uniform or the prestige. It’s about standing with my people and defending the values and the land that I hold dear.

The Israeli army represents more than just military service it embodies the spirit of defending the land and the people that I love my fellow jewish brothers and sisters worldwide.i think that a lot of the time, when people ask me why I chose to serve, they do so because they view it as a sacrifice. To me, however, defending my country is not a sacrifice. It is an honour; and I shall seize it with both hands.

Whilst I have sought to fund this endeavour myself, I could not manage to do so in the short time frame that I have. As such, to cover the shortfall in costs, I have set up this page with the hope of raising funds to cover the initial costs of the flights, living and accommodation.