Defense Ministry approves two new pre-military preparatory programs

The new academies will join the 54 pre-military preparatory programs scattered throughout the country.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI
Updated: DECEMBER 28, 2015 04:13
IDF soldiers in the West Bank [File] (photo credit: REUTERS)
IDF soldiers in the West Bank [File]
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Defense Ministry approved the establishment of two pre-military preparatory programs, it announced Sunday.
The Be’eri academy for young leadership, named after Berl Katznelson, will be headed by Gadi Yevarkan, one of the leaders of the struggle for social equality for Ethiopians.
One of the goals of the academy will be to bring together Jewish and Arab youth by holding joint activities with the Arab community in the Sharon.
The pre-military academy named after Haviva Reik will operate in Givat Haviva for humanistic leadership.
The academy seeks to act as a “spiritual home” and aims to provide a place to formulate world views and attain enriching experiences in an effort to develop Zionist values as part of the legacy of Reik.
“The academies train youth in meaningful service in the IDF while striving for academic excellence and military and civilian leadership,” said Amikam Svirsky, head of the socio-security branch at the Defense Ministry.
“Unlike in the past, today the academies are shared by all populations of youth in Israel and we see a steady increase in both the demand by various parties to establish new academies and in the demand of youth to take part in the academies,” he said.
The socio-security department at the ministry officially approved the establishment last Wednesday.
The academies will join the 54 pre-military preparatory programs scattered throughout the country.
Currently there are some 3,500 youth who have graduated high school, from all backgrounds and walks of life, who are enrolled in these programs.
The academies, operated by the socio-security branch of the Defense Ministry, aim to encourage enlistment in the IDF, while promoting academic excellence and leadership skills.


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