I was an IDF volunteer myself. I wrote this book based on my experience in order to help those young men and women who intend to volunteer and join the IDF, so they will face less difficulties and can prepare more effectively.
Interview: Peter Rosenbluth,Author of The IDF Volunteer
by Ya’akov “Kobi” Koren
Peter tell us briefly about your experience volunteering in the Israel Defense Forces aka the Israeli Army?
It was awesome. As a diaspora Jew living in exile in Europe, I can tell you, it is an amazing feeling! You are living in the Land of Israel where so many important historical events transpired and you are among your brothers-in-arms and sisters-in-arms. You work together with regular Israeli soldiers. This is what others could only dream about. I learned many new things and made eternal friendships with both fellow Jews and non-Jews.
Interview: Peter Rosenbluth,Author of The IDF Volunteer.
What was your motivation? What inspired you to volunteer for the IDF?
I am a Zionist and a direct descendant of Holocaust survivors and it motivated me to contribute to our ancient homeland where our forefathers fought against Roman invasions and occupations for hundreds of years from 66 C.E. through the 500s C.E. Of course, we fought and lost when the Arabians invaded and conquered the land of Israel in the 600s C.E. soon after the restablishement of our last automonous goverment until the early 1900s.
So, this is significant. We need to give thanks that we have liberated part of the Land which, in fact, international law served that end, to end the foreign occupation of the Land of Israel, which includes Judea and Samaria in the early 1900s. If anyone harbors any doubts, please refer to a map of the Mandate. We,only, have one homeland. I believe that we have a responsibility to contribute to it.
Why do you think it is important for Jews from outside Israel or even Christians to join and support the IDF?
Israel has to know it is not alone. The enemies of Israel are active and we have to stand together, history proved that we can only survive if we unite. Someone who calls himself Jewish has to contribute to the IDF, that’s my belief. Now probably some people will attack me for this comment.
As for Christians – the ancient founders of Christianity were all patriotic Jews before it turned into a gentile only group; Simon the Zealot for example. A true Christian has to support Israel according to their religion, besides Christians are persecuted by the same Islamist radicals who also want to destroy the Jewish state.
What do you believe are the greatest dangers to Israel which Israel must tackle?
I think the inside enemy is the most dangerous. Besides this, I find arrogant and hypocrital some of the Western governments and medias which blame Israel for self defense. For example the terrorist woman who was shot down by IDF was mentioned in CNN like “Arab woman shot by IDF” or something like this. Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic terrorist organizations are not powerful alone but enabled futher by their accomplices in media.
Why did you write this book, “The IDF Volunteer”?
Interview: Peter Rosenbluth,Author of The IDF Volunteer
When I and others volunteered we faced many difficulties and I wanted to provide a guide how volunteers can prepare better, and to let them know about army life in an IDF base. Besides I want to encourage young Jews to serve. Of course there are books about IDF service men, but they are more like biography, while my book is not my personal story, but the army application process based on my own experience.
What were you greatest challenges when you applied as a Jew and what if you are not Jewish?
How to get started – To get the necessary Jewish documents, which proved that I’m Jewish. I even dedicated a chapter about this, to get your required documents you need to work hard in family research and it will take time. Of course do not worry, every Jewish person has some proofs, but follow my guide and it will be easier for you to represent it.
Of course, non-Jews, gentile Christians or atheists have no need to prove Jewish status.
What were your greatest challenges when you served?
Everything was ready with me when I applied to the Mahal IDF program where I wanted to be a combat soldier. Sadly in the last days I got the following message from the Ministry of Defense. I was rejected cause of Coeliac disease. When I did Sar-El in the beginning, I faced problems with my gluten allergy (Coeliac). I reported it to base commander and then he helped me. I got the necessary food. I also wrote a chapter about food and food allergy in the IDF. You can still serve with food allergy but not in combat units.
Do non-Jews exprience severe discrimination in the IDF?
No, not at all. Israel is the 4,000 year-old Jewish homeland but the State of Israel believes in equal rights and worth of every citizen regardless of ethnicity/race or religion. Not a majority but many non-Jews including Greco-Aramean Christians, Arab Druze and Bedouin as well as other Muslim ethnicities contribute and serve , happily in the IDF, some of whom are in elite units.
What if one doesn’t speak Hebrew or who doesn’t have a good level of the language?
Mahal program provides them free sometimes Ulpan, but while they are on Ulpan they cannot join the IDF till they pass the IDF language test! It can be catastrophe situation if someone is not gifted with language skills, so I strongly recommend everyone to study Hebrew before volunteering, at least A2 or B1 level… If you need lessons, I reccomend you contact Kobi at hebrewulpannow@gmail.com. He can give you lessons by text and through Skype ( video calls).
As for Sar El, most of the madrichs (guides) who will guide the volunteers speak the language of the group. But these volunteers will also live in IDF base and work with IDF soldiers. So, it is also recommended to learn Hebrew. It is just the courteous thing to do.
How do you suggest to prepare?
Get all the necessary documents, especially about your Jewish roots. Learn Hebrew, lower your expectations, you will not be Rambo, you will follow rules and orders, and of course if you want to be combat soldier, then do hard physical training. But a work on a farm can be more effective than gym. You’ll see it all in my book.
Any physical activity that the volunteers should do regularly beforehand which may render serving/volunteering less difficult?
Working on farms, and gym is good too. Stamina is very important. Running and sports are of course always useful. Shooting as a sport also, because volunteers also have the option to be marksman / sniper, sounds fascinating, right?
Tell me who are or what are lone soldiers? What distinguishes the status of lone soldiers from others?
They are soldiers of the IDF who do not have family in Israel or close relatives. They left their homes to volunteer and to serve in the IDF. They are wonderful and motivated soldiers. Living in Israel is harder for them, and they get additional benefits, for example, double salary of the base army salary which is tax free. They also get additional holiday to visit their families in other countries. Organizations like Friends of the IDF also help them. The biggest respect goes for them!
In retrospect, is there anything important that you left out of the book?
I do not think so. Some people who read it asked me why I did not mention more personal stories. Again, I tell you, my purprose is to make volunteering more popular, and to guide and demystify the process for the new volunteers. This is not a biography of my life, but it is based on my experience, the same volunteering steps which I also made. I am also sure that most of the people are not interested in my life so I tried to concentrate on the most useful issues.
When does the book launch?
It has just started!
Where can people find the book for purchase and download?
I recommend Payhip, but it’s also available on Goodreads and Amazon. Better to follow the Payhip link because if you purchase from that link -the editor and I decided to donate a percentage to lone soldiers. It is also faster and more simple to pay on Payhip instead of signing up to Amazon and sharing your personal information with them etc. https://payhip.com/b/r8fp
Is there a sale or a discount code?
Yes, the coupon code is: lone2
What is this about you donating to the lone soldiers?
This is very important to be able to continue helping lone soldiers. These wonderful young men and women left their families behind just to help us. They not only serve for Israel, but for all of us Jewish people. Think of the Holocaust at a time when the Jewish state was not established yet. These soldiers deserve all the respect so we decided to show positive example and donate a percantage of every sale through Payhip.
Are there any people whom you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank Ya’akov Koren for getting the word out about the book. He has , professionally, helped many peope in increasing knowledge of both Israel-related and non-Israel-related projects. I, also, wish to thank Karl’s Custom Tile & Trim Work, LLC of Ocala for its unselfish support. I am thankful for every one of the soldiers I worked together for encouraging and for improving my Hebrew.
I thank you for your time Peter. I enjoyed this interview and I hope that we might arrange another one in the future.
You are welcome, volunteers can ask me questions regarding application process and life in IDF base at rosenbluthidf@gmail.com
https://payhip.com/b/r8fp
Interview: Peter Rosenbluth,Author of The IDF Volunteer
