Enlisting Soldiers – The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin

Enlisting Soldiers

Support begins from the moment the first draft notice is received

Israeli Soldiers Enlisting

Assistance with lone soldier recognition.
Guidance and support from receiving the initial draft notice to enlistment day.
Guidance and support in the process of canceling conscription exemptions for veterans of ultra-Orthodox communities
or at-risk youth.
Guidance for pre-military preparations.
Recruitment Equipment: Supplying recruits with essential items, including a recruitment bag, clothing, toiletries, personal care products, and more.
Support on Recruitment Day.
Bridging cultural gaps.
Leisure and Enrichment Activities: Including trips and recruitment preparation meetings.
Introduction to the Tztevet Mikey: Providing physical and mental preparation for recruitment, tailored for immigrants and Israelis.

Immigrant Soldiers Enlisting

Assistance with lone soldier recognition.
Comprehensive support throughout the pre-recruitment process.
Guidance from other immigrant soldiers.
Bridging cultural gaps.
Recreational and Enrichment Activities: Including trips, collaboration with the preparatory school, and recruitment preparation sessions.
Recruitment Equipment: Supplying recruits with essential items, including a recruitment bag, clothing, toiletries, personal care products, and more.
Introduction to the Tzevet Mikey: Providing physical and mental preparation for recruitment, tailored for immigrants and Israelis.

Guidance and support throughout the recruitment and candidate evaluation process for security service

From the start of the recruitment process to its conclusion, the individual is referred to as a candidate for security service. The Center provides support to young individuals seeking recognition as lone soldiers, guiding them from the decision to enlist through the entire process, up to and including their enlistment, and beyond.

Enlisting Immigrant Soldiers

An enlisting soldier who immigrates to Israel on their own and whose parents reside permanently abroad will be recognized as a lone soldier.
Similarly, a young person whose parents have emigrated abroad or are on an overseas mission for six months or longer will also be recognized as a lone soldier.
After immigrating to Israel and receiving an identity card, you are automatically granted an adjustment year—a year during which the army postpones their recruitment to allow you time to adapt to life in Israel. However, those who wish to forgo the adjustment year and expedite the recruitment process can coordinate directly with Mitav, the IDF Recruitment Administration unit.

Enlisting Volunteer Soldiers from Abroad

Machal is an organized program that allows individuals to enlist in the IDF without requiring an Israeli identity card, for a service period of 18 months. This program is designed for young people worldwide who are eligible to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return, up to the age of 23.
The Machal recruitment process must be initiated through the official Machal website and is typically shorter than the standard immigration process. It includes a personal interview, an initial draft notice, and a brief preparation period in Israel prior to enlistment.

Visit the Machal website

Israeli Soldiers Enlisting Without Family Support in Israel

Young individuals, native to Israel, who come from challenging life circumstances, who lack contact with their parents, or have graduated from ultra-Orthodox education and do not have a supportive family network are supported through the Center. We have professional and seasoned counselors to help them with the challenges they face as they draft into the IDF.

How does the Center support enlisting soldiers?

Lone Soldier Recognition

Young Israelis without family support who enlist in the army are not automatically recognized as lone soldiers. To gain this recognition, they must apply through the Ministry of Defense. It is highly recommended to complete this process before enlistment to begin service with lone soldier status and access the unique benefits available to this group. The Center provides personalized assistance throughout the recognition process and facilitates connections with relevant NCOs and officers in recruitment offices and military bases.

Referral to Pre-Military Training

If a need is identified or the individual expresses interest, we guide young people toward pre-military training programs to better prepare them for military service. During the preparatory year, participants can explore Israeli society and culture, travel across the country, and adapt to communal living with peers their age.

Exemption Cancellation

Some individuals are exempt from conscription due to religious reasons (women), mental health, or criminal records. The Center helps when needed in canceling exemptions and facilitating communication with conscription offices.

Preparation for the First Draft Notice

Enlisting soldiers preparing for their first draft notice often lack an understanding of the process, what to expect on that day, and the types of questions in the psychometric assessment. If needed, we connect the individual with a volunteer who can assist them in preparing for the draft notice and navigating
the process.

Recruitment Equipment

Candidates preparing to enlist in the IDF are welcome to visit one of our Centers to receive a recruitment bag containing essential equipment for military service.

If challenges arise during the enlistment process,
the coordinators are available to assist. We maintains direct contact with the Heads of Departments at the recruitment bureaus.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I register for the association's program?

You can schedule an introductory meeting with a coordinator and register for the program, no matter where you live—whether in the north, south, or any other region of the country. Click here to sign up

When do I start receiving lone soldier benefits?

During the pre-enlistment stage, young individuals are not entitled to lone soldier benefits. These rights are granted starting from the day of enlistment, provided they have been officially recognized as lone soldiers by the army.

What housing options are available before enlistment?

Before enlistment, there are no formal housing solutions provided by the military. However, you can apply for accommodation at a soldier’s home that we run approximately three months prior to enlistment, and each request will be reviewed individually.

I am a new immigrant—how long will my service be?

You can find all the details about service length for new immigrants on the IDF recruiters’ website.

Does the Center assist with
the immigration process?

Please note that the Center does not assist
with the immigration process itself. You can register with the Center once you have received an identity number, after which we can provide support through the remaining steps leading up to army enlistment, during your service, and after your discharge.

Can you help me enlist if I don’t have
Israeli citizenship?

Yes, we assist young individuals eligible under the
Law of Return to enlist in the IDF. Those without an identity number can enlist until the age of 23 through the military, and those with an identity number can enlist up to the age of 29, subject to the army’s approval.

Success Stories

"My journey toward meaningful service in the IDF was anything but easy. I immigrated from the U.S. on my own, learned Hebrew, faced challenges during training, experienced both setbacks and triumphs. Eventually, friends introduced me to Michael Levin's club in Tel Aviv, where, for the first time, I truly felt a sense of belonging. In October, I entered Gaza and went through so much during my time there... "Beyond the regular support with meals, gatherings, and daily essentials, Michael Levin's center is now also funding psychological treatment to help me process and cope with everything I've been through. Here, I truly feel at home—a team that supports me, a place to eat, rest, connect with friends, and simply not feel alone."

"I remember the day I first arrived at Michael Levin's center. I knew nothing about the IDF—I just showed up and asked to enlist. It was challenging and complicated, but for the first time, I felt like I had someone by my side, a family away from home. Incredible people who pay attention to every detail, ensure I'm never alone, always make sure there's something to eat on Shabbat evenings, and take care of everything I need. They're always there for me. Honestly, I don’t know if I could have enlisted without the association's support. You have to understand, what seems obvious to someone growing up in Israel—every boy or girl knowing what enlistment means from a young age—was completely foreign to me. I had no one to guide or support me through the recruitment process. The association has become a central part of my life story—the good part. Now, I have a family waiting for me abroad and a family here in Israel as well."

"I knew from the age of 14 that I would serve in the IDF, even though it wasn’t considered acceptable in my community. During a visit to Israel, I saw Border Police fighters in Jerusalem, and to me, they were heroes. I knew I wanted to be like them. At 16, I made the decision to immigrate to Israel on my own. Before the draft, I was assigned to serve in the ICT Corps, but I was determined to join the Border Police unit and fulfill my dream of becoming a fighter. Serving as a fighter in the Border Police has been challenging, especially as a lone soldier, but it was incredibly rewarding and meaningful. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. When I enlisted, I was introduced to the Michael Levin Memorial Association, and they supported me throughout my entire service. They provided all the equipment I needed for enlistment and continued to help me with everything even after I finished my service. Now, as a discharged soldier, I still receive their support, which makes me feel like I truly belong and am valued. My brother also decided to immigrate to Israel and join the IDF. He’s now part of the Association’s program as well, and it’s been a huge help, allowing us to focus on our goals without having to manage everything on our own."

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