Dafna Kadosh – Garin Tzabar village Ibim 2017

"Coming home to my friends in Garin Tzabar was a big part of the reason I got through it all. They took on the role of my family--through the ups and downs "

 “I drafted in March of 2017 through Garin Tzabar from Kfar Ibim. I remember the day so vividly: relinquishing my civilian clothes in exchange for a slightly oversized, green polyester uniform; being subject to people my age that were suddenly now my commanders. I remember looking back at my friends and Rakaz, smiling and waiting patiently as I boarded the bus. The army took some getting used to. Four months of running from point A to point B under time constraint, of waking up throughout the night for guard duty, of sleeping beneath countless stars in the desert and of studying daily about a system I would soon need to train soldiers to operate– it was exhausting. My garin was my primary source of solace in the early days, a group of people who understood the Zionistic pull, the challenges, the loneliness, and the desire to become a part of this system called “Tzahal”.

When I look back to my army experience, I realize that coming home to my friends in Garin Tzabar was a big part of the reason I got through it all. They took on the role of my family–through the ups and downs, I was able to share my deepest fears, insecurities, and moments of pride with them.”