Menifa’s army mentoring program supports and guides soldiers throughout their military service and beyond.
For young citizens of Israel aged 18 to 21, mandatory military or civil service (sherut leumi) is one of the most significant parts of their lives. However, the rigid, intense and hierarchical framework of the military sometimes presents significant challenges for enlisted youth, especially for soldiers who are the first generation of their families to serve, new immigrants or lone soldiers who left their families abroad, soldiers who lack home support, and others who experience financial and other crisis situations. Some young people even consider deserting from their military service, putting themselves in danger of imprisonment.
To help these soldiers and offer a guiding hand with the recruitment process and throughout their military service, Menifa’s “In My Brothers’ Company” army mentoring program supports them with resilience and tools. Founded in 2014, the program today provides mentors to 300 male and female soldiers and recruits who are struggling with complicated life issues and need personal support, or who experience low resilience and need someone to cheer them on.
The special personal bond forged between each soldier and their mentor (which often continues after discharge) leads to an improvement in motivation, a sense of loyalty to their community and to the country, and to a positive IDF experience. These successful experiences can help to boost their personal skills, including decision-making, setting goals, assertiveness, discretion, determination and independence, improving their prospects after army service.
Menifa is authorized by the IDF to provide services to soldiers in the army. They recognize that, since 2014, hundreds of participants have completed their full service thanks to our support.
Number of participants: 300 soldiers and 300 volunteer mentors at any time, and over 1,500 soldiers since 2014.
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Becoming a Mentor
Menifa has recruited a highly engaged cadre of 300 volunteer civilian mentors from all walks of life, who are trained and supported throughout their involvement. Each recruit is assigned a specific mentor as their “responsible adult”, providing warm and personalized support to help them cope with the recruitment process and the challenges they face, empowering them to achieve a full and meaningful service and preventing negative behavior patterns, imprisonment and dropping out. Mentors meet with their soldiers on a regular basis during their military service, and often even after their discharge.
IDF Recruits
Are you interested in signing up for a Menifa Mentor?
Whether you are about to enlist or already serving, we can find a mentor who speaks your language and can support and help you through your national service.
ניתן להצטרף לתוכנית באחת משתי הדרכים הבאות:
• Sign up using this form .
• Refer a Soldier for Mentoring: Nominate them using this form.
Many soldiers are referred to the Menifa army mentoring program by the following external organizations:
• The Israel Defense Forces infantry, logistics and technology divisions; Israel Air Force; Home Front, Education Corps; Army lawyers and social workers; IDF support workers; Lone Soldier support workers; Religious Soldier support workers, Recruiting offices, and other divisions.
• Israel welfare system and local authority youth services: Yatad (the national program for the advancement of young men and women); Spark program (accompanying teenagers, young men and women in at-risk situations before, during and after release from military service).
• Local authority support services.
• Educational frameworks: foster homes, schools and others.
Partners
Menifa’s army mentoring program is run in full collaboration with the IDF and the welfare authorities. Originally it was funded by the JDC, the IDF and the Ministry of Aliyah & Integration. The program is funded by donors and governmental authorities.
