Dina Wecker – Kibbutz Alumim 2013

“Garin Tzabar provided me and other lone soldiers from my Garin with a warm and welcoming home on Kibbutz Alumim during our service. They ensured every participant had an adopted family on the Kibbutz and of course our Garin became our family".

My name is Dina Wecker. I made Aliyah at 23-years-old from the USA and enlisted to the IDF as a lone soldier through Garin Tzabar. I joined the IDF as a combat soldier and later commander in the Artillery Corps, where later on I met my husband.
Garin Tzabar’s immense help in my Aliyah and enlistment process allowed me to establish myself in Israel and begin to set roots. I currently study law at Tel Aviv University through the Keren Heseg scholarship.

Garin Tzabar made the transition from citizen to foreigner, from civilian to soldier and from soldier back to civilian bearable and even enjoyable. Through Garin Tzabar, some of the most complicated bureaucracy in Israel, including opening bank accounts, receiving health insurance and of course enlistment in the IDF, were accomplished over a short period of time. I enlisted 3 months almost to the day from my Aliyah date.

Garin Tzabar went above and beyond and I would not be where I am today without their help. Garin Tzabar provided me and other lone soldiers from my Garin with a warm and welcoming home on Kibbutz Alumim during our service. They ensured every participant had an adopted family on the Kibbutz and of course our Garin became our family.
My Garin members remain some of my closest friends in Israel, even more than 2 years after we left the Kibbutz.

I would like to thank Garin Tzabar for everything they have done. My Aliyah story would not be nearly as successful as I feel it is today without their help.