The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/national-service/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:08:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png national service | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/national-service/ 32 32 With Israeli youth at a crossroads after Oct. 7, some turn to hiking to help find their path https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-israeli-youth-at-a-crossroads-after-oct-7-some-turn-to-hiking-to-help-find-their-path/ Sat, 04 Oct 2025 08:49:14 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3644018 As Israel reels from unprecedented trauma, young people are finding strength and meaning on the country's trails where recent horrors are put in perspective within the history of the Land

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]]> Kickin’ it old school: Retirees rediscover youth with national service year for over-50s https://www.timesofisrael.com/kickin-it-old-school-retirees-rediscover-youth-with-national-service-year-for-over-50s/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:48:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3468113 A pilot project running in two regional councils near the Gaza border is matching local needs with the experience and skills of people around retirement age

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]]> Meet the young men and women performing 38 million hours of national service a year https://www.timesofisrael.com/meet-the-young-men-and-women-performing-38-million-hours-of-national-service-a-year/ Sat, 07 Sep 2024 04:09:05 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3370100 With 19,000 volunteers from across Israeli society, Sherut Leumi has in recent years transformed into a source of highly-skilled help in fields like health, tech and education

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]]> How to heal a rift: Don’t exclude Haredim from IDF; include them in national service https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-to-heal-a-rift-dont-exclude-haredim-from-idf-include-them-in-national-service/ Thu, 20 Apr 2023 08:16:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2998655 As with the judicial overhaul, the looming tragedy of an ultra-Orthodox exemption law is exacerbated by the fact that a win-win alternative is staring our legislators in the face

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]]> After hiking IDF salaries by 50%, Israel takes same step with national service https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-hiking-idf-salaries-by-50-israel-takes-same-step-with-national-service/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:59:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2657914 Volunteers doing civilian alternative to military service will get raise in January; Liberman: 'We'll continue to express our appreciation for those who serve'

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]]> Podcast: Gay Israeli youth make societal change through IDF, national service https://www.timesofisrael.com/podcast-gay-israeli-youth-makes-societal-change-through-idf-national-service/ Fri, 02 Jul 2021 07:50:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2574820 What opportunities do Israel's young LGBTQ+ have after high school? We speak with Rom Ohayon from Israel Gay Youth to find out

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]]> 2,000 Israeli national service women to return from overseas amid virus outbreak https://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-israeli-national-service-women-to-return-from-overseas-amid-virus-outbreak/ Thu, 12 Mar 2020 03:59:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2257518 As alternative to serving in military, many post-high school Orthodox girls perform civic duties, including working with Jewish schools abroad; move taken to ensure their safety

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]]> From Ebola to hurricanes, mom in uniform keeps people safe while keeping kosher https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-ebola-to-hurricanes-mom-in-uniform-keeps-people-safe-while-keeping-kosher/ Sun, 12 Jan 2020 21:56:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2208950 As an officer in the US Public Health Service, Cpt. Dana Hall provides disaster relief to victims the world over, and is the only Orthodox woman in the 6,500-strong force

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]]> Women from abroad volunteering for national service now have support program https://www.timesofisrael.com/women-from-abroad-volunteering-for-national-service-now-have-support-program/ Sun, 12 May 2019 14:37:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2073933 Launched by Nefesh B'Nefesh, Ori will provide lone 'bnot sherut' with guidance, social programming, advocacy, a help desk and crisis support

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]]> Religious girls protest pressure to join Israeli military https://www.timesofisrael.com/religious-girls-protest-pressure-to-join-israeli-military/ Wed, 14 Feb 2018 07:12:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1791205 Campaign follows Education Ministry proposal to fund groups that guide religious women who want to join the IDF

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]]> Let all Jews vote in Israeli elections https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/let-jews-everywhere-vote-in-israeli-elections/ Fri, 05 May 2017 12:51:20 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1613265 He's worked out almost all the details to unify Israel and the Diaspora -- Step 1: Make world Jewry citizens of Israel

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]]> Law and behold: The legislation that survived winter in the Knesset https://www.timesofisrael.com/law-and-behold-the-legislation-that-survived-winter-in-the-knesset/ Sun, 26 Mar 2017 03:43:36 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1584718 As MKs go on break, here are the bills that passed - from legalizing outposts to lengthening maternity leave - and those that died before they hit the floor

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]]> In first, Arab Israeli leaders back nationwide volunteer program https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-arab-israeli-leaders-back-national-service-programs/ Wed, 08 Mar 2017 02:20:33 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1575204 Joint List MKs give their blessing to volunteerism initiative that is not connected to the army or government, but puts local Arab councils in charge

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]]> Bill barring national service at left-wing NGOs passes first Knesset vote https://www.timesofisrael.com/bill-barring-national-service-at-left-wing-ngos-passes-first-knesset-vote/ Wed, 28 Dec 2016 15:41:14 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1529438 Likud-proposed legislation comes after Israeli human rights group B'Tselem criticizes Israel's settlement policy at UN

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]]> Sephardic chief rabbi: Women may not serve in IDF, perform national service https://www.timesofisrael.com/sephardic-chief-rabbi-women-may-not-serve-in-idf-perform-national-service/ Sun, 11 Dec 2016 19:57:09 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1517919 Echoing position by his late father, ex-chief rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, Yitzhak Yosef says mandatory draft, volunteer work forbidden

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