Taglit – birthright israel & the I.D.F. Diagnostic Data

Taglit – birthright israel & the I.D.F.Diagnostic Data Behavioral Sciences Department I.D.F. 2006 October

Taglit – birthright israelin the Eyes of the I.D.F. • Approx. 4000 soldiers participate each year in mifgashim with their peers from abroad in the framework of Taglit – birthright israel. • The Behavioral Sciences Center was asked by the I.D.F. leadership to evaluate the effectiveness of the project from the army’s point of view. • The main results of the evaluation are presented below.

Participation in the Mifgashim 2000-2006 • From 2000 thru 2006 approx. 20,138 Israelis, of them 13,855 soldiers (70%) have participated. • From 2000 to 2006 there has been a significant increase in participation: 25% - < 93%. • 80.35% of the soldiers participate in mifgashim of 5-10 days. • Participation of a diversity of units from the entire army: combat units, Air Force, Navy, Intelligence, Human Resources Department, etc.

Characteristics of the Mifgash • In the context of the 10-day educational trip throughout Israel, 3-10 day mifgashim are conducted with the soldiers. • The mifgashim include: • Visits at major sites in Israel • Discussion groups on different subjects • Joint activity and programming prepared by the soldiers • A visit to I.D.F. units • Hospitality at the homes of soldiers

Purpose of the Diagnosis Examination of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Taglit – birthright israelmifgashim: • In terms of the impact upon the soldiers and the contribution to them. • In terms of the structure and the organizational work processes.

Method • Background interviews for charting major issues • Focus groups of soldiers who are “alumni” of Taglit – birthright israel; a total of 130 participants • A focus group of Education Corps officers • A focus group for commanders who participated in the project (ranking from captains to brigadier generals)

Data: Intensities • Intensification of the soldiers’ feeling of Jewish identity and the connection to the State of Israel by means of a communal process “This took me out of the bubble.” “This caused me to think about the meaning of what it is to be a Jew in Israel, in contrast to the lack of triviality of being a Jew in the Diaspora.” “I had been to Mt. Herzl many times, but this time it was different, essentially not to be taken for granted… I learned to appreciate.”

Data: Intensities Forging friendships between the soldiers and the young adults from abroad – “the faces behind the uniforms” “I am still in touch with the Taglit – birthright israel participants five years after the program.” “I have three very good friends from there, that’s the main thing that I have taken…”

Data: Intensities Reinforcing the value of the military service - The feelings of national identity and belonging to the State and to the army become intensified, with which the motivation to serve in the I.D.F. is then also intensified. “This reconnected me to my choice in the army.” “A process like this connects you, as a soldier, to Israel, to the homeland, to the army…” “The army invests in me and therefore this provides me with the desire to give to the country and to the army…”

Data: Intensities Informational Image Value “This way the soldiers are perceived as people like them and not like robots at war…” “If they could see the army as an organization that contributes to the community, it raises the motivation to serve in it and provides a different point of view about the army…”

Data: Intensities From the point of view of commanders in the army - High responsiveness of a diversity of units: • A command tool for conveying values • A tool for rewarding soldiers

Structure and Work Procedures:Intensities • Productive cooperation between the I.D.F. and Taglit – birthright israel: Engaging commanders Making the project happen 2. Based on voluntarism and the internal motivation of the commanders.

Structure and Work Procedures:Recommendations for Improvement • Institutionalization of the work procedures: establishment of a unit designated for the management of Taglit – birthright israel in the army • Institutionalization of follow-up programming within the I.D.F. – a website for alumni of the program, information and explanations for commanders • Empowering the potential of the program as an information service interfacing with Jewish communities • Extending the range of participation to more soldiers – an equal opportunity for every soldier

Conclusion of the Study • Taglit – birthright israel helps raise the feeling of Jewish identity and the connection to the State of Israel among the soldiers who participate in the program. • A process of forging friendships between Jewish young adults from around the world and Israeli young adults, with an emphasis on the Israeli army, occurs as a result of this program.

And finally… During the study, we were exposed to a Jewish, Zionist, value-oriented program, important to all of the participants in it, and to the State of Israel. We discovered enthusiastic people who believe in the importance of the program and who make it happen from their feeling of a mission and from a place of love.

Taglit – birthright israel & the I.D.F. Diagnostic Data