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If you make aliyah at 18-22, you serve full mandatory term. At 23-26: shorter (~14 months). At 27+: usually exempt or volunteer. Special tracks for olim: Mahal (volunteer foreign nationals), Garin Tzabar (group aliyah for IDF), Lone Soldier (חַיָּיל בּוֹדֵד) status, extra benefits and family-replacement system. Lesson 71 introduced this; here we go deep.
Cultural note, A "lone soldier" (חַיָּיל בּוֹדֵד) is one without family in Israel, usually an oleh, but also some Israelis whose parents are abroad. They get free housing, increased pay, monthly food allowance, weekend "adoptive families" (מִשְׁפָּחַת אִמּוּץ), and a Yom HaAtzma\'ut barbecue at the President\'s house. Nefesh B\'Nefesh and the Lone Soldier Center coordinate. ~7,000 lone soldiers serve at any time.
Service Tracks for Olim
Lone Soldier Status
Hebrew Adjustment
Pre-Army Programs
Post-Army Olim Resources
Lone Soldier Friday Night: Adoptive Family
A typical Friday-night dinner at an adoptive family\'s home. The family has hosted lone soldiers for years. The soldier is from Brazil. This is the bridge.
Garin Tzabar: Group Aliyah Pre-Service
Description of Garin Tzabar, group aliyah programs that prepare 18-21 year-old olim for IDF together. Living on a kibbutz, intensive ulpan, then enlistment as a cohort.