English Transcript

Translation of The Surprising Truth About the IDF Podcast - Podcast #1

Hello! Welcome to YACHAD!!!

Hannah: What do you think of when you hear the name IDF or Israeli Defense Forces?

Daliah: I think of ... Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)!

Yaakov: Really? Tikkun Olam? How?

Daliah: Do you know that the IDF has participated in twenty-seven humanitarian operations around the world since its inception? The first operation was in 1953. In August of that year, there was an earthquake in Greece, and a thousand people died. The IDF navy was in this area because they were in a training exercise. When they heard this news, they went to help, and provided medical aid.

Hannah: Really? This is news to me.

Daliah: Yes, this was the beginning of the IDF's humanitarian activities. For example, an earthquake in Armenia and the construction of a refugee hospital in Kosovo. In 1999 there was a very strong earthquake in Turkey. Many houses were destroyed and thousands of people were missing. The IDF sent a delegation to the scene. They rescued twelve people, treated one thousand two hundred wounded, operated on forty patients, and delivered fifteen babies.

Yaakov: Do you know that the IDF provides opportunities for education for soldiers?

Hannah: Such as?

Yaakov: During their military service, soldiers have the opportunity to learn basic skills like reading, writing and basic maths, to complete missing education..

Daliah: What about new immigrants? If someone makes Aliyah and serves in the army, how do they learn about Israel?

Hannah: All soldiers and new immigrants participate in educational seminars on Jewish and Israeli culture, history, geography and philosophy. This is how they learn Hebrew and become part of Israeli society. Instructors and teacher soldiers teach at-risk and disadvantaged youth and give them education and work experience. They do this at a military base called "Michve Alon" which is part of the IDF Education and Youth Corps.

Yaakov: The IDF seems to be busy educating and training young people, but it also enables soldiers to buid social connections.

Hannah: That's very interesting! Jewish Israelis from all over the world, and Israelis from all religions like Druze and Bedouin meet in the army and live together for a long time.

Daliah: In the IDF, they develop lifelong friendships.

Yaakov: I read an article about an organization called Friends of the IDF. They support the soldiers and give them educational, cultural and social programs to care for their well-being. Their motto is: "The role of the IDF is to take care of Israel, and our job is to take care of them."

Hannah: Wow! Well done to the IDF!