21 years old, IDF?

[kelevra05]

Hello all, I posted a thread recently but I have an alternative question, and would like to post here, since the mahal website is down.

Born in Israel to Israeli citizens, moved to America at 1 year of age, have visited a few times, hold an Israeli passport, senior in college, currently 21 years old.

Therefore: If I return within the next year or so, can speak hebrew (relatively well), do I have a fair shot at getting into an infantry unit? Are they height/weight requirements?

Also, how would I go about doing this, step by step? What documentation would I need, and when/who should I contact to get things started?

I realize that I can't just pack up and leave to Israel, and I don't think I can do MAHAL, since I'm already a citizen.

Thanks!

[rafi]

OK, so here are the steps.

1. Do you have an Israeli passport or not? Even an expired one?
1a. If you do, then you should proceed to the nearest Israeli consulate and declare yourself willing to fulfill the obigations of your citizenship by serving your country.

1b. If you do not have an Israeli passport, you will need to go the Israeli embassy with one of your parents, and legal documents conneting you to them.

There is no 1c. Non-cooperative parents - bummer.

Now I know you said you have one, I was paying attention, but in case others in the future wantto ask a similar question, this is a good reference.

So really, if you are over the age of 21, buy a ticket, go to the draft board and, as aI said, announce that you are there to fulfill your requirement of citizenship.

Keeo in mind that everyone serves. So picture everyone you went to High School with in uniform. Lotta sizes and shapes, right? The IDF is exactly like that. If you are generally healthy, the ID will get you in shape to do what you need to do.

Personal advice: Work on your written hebrew. While you will get by easily on spoken hebrew, the only way to advance is to be able to read and write.

So to answer your final line - Correct you can't do MAHAL you can't volunteer for something you are supposed to be doing anyway)actually you are wrong, you can just pick up and go. Just let them know you are coming.

Rafi

Originally Posted by kelevra05

Hello all, I posted a thread recently but I have an alternative question, and would like to post here, since the mahal website is down.

Born in Israel to Israeli citizens, moved to America at 1 year of age, have visited a few times, hold an Israeli passport, senior in college, currently 21 years old.

Therefore: If I return within the next year or so, can speak hebrew (relatively well), do I have a fair shot at getting into an infantry unit? Are they height/weight requirements?

Also, how would I go about doing this, step by step? What documentation would I need, and when/who should I contact to get things started?

I realize that I can't just pack up and leave to Israel, and I don't think I can do MAHAL, since I'm already a citizen.

Thanks!

[judea]

Generally good advice...however do not buy a ticket. Talk to someone at the embassy first. You will either be classified as an ezrach oleh or toshav hozer or something of the sort and you might get a free flight.