Noa Rotenberg – Garin Lahav 2017

I made Aliyah in December 2017 as part of the Australian Garin and joined the Europe and South American Garins in Libbutz Lahav, near Be-er Sheva. I enjoyed every second of my stay there and met friends that I will keep in touch with forever and which I am still close with today, four years later. During the absorption period we were taught everything we need to know to become an Israeli 18 year old waiting to draft, because, of course we had no knowledge about the army and its roles like most Israelis do. Apart from that we got to bond, have movie nights, dinners and basically have fun all while preparing for the army and settling down in Israel!

I drafted in March 2018 to a combat unit of 8200 and it was all I could imagine and a whole lot more. I made friends that are now my family and experienced adventures I never thought were possible. Yes, it’s not all smiles and happy faces but yes, everything that happens in the army helps you grow as a person and learn more about yourself and others.

I made Aliyah as I have never lived in Israel before, and wanted to experience what every other 18 year old my age did. I wanted to meet new friends and have fun, but also to get to know myself more and have a clearer vision of what I want in life which is hard to understand at age 18. Of course, I also wanted to help my country which I felt I wasn’t completely part of until now!

I’m so grateful I found Garin Tzabar. They were able to support me along the entire way and ensures I have the smoothest transition into a foreign country which I can now call my home.