Carmel Cohen
Tel Aviv Univ. 1 of every 3 Reservists on Campus is a Woman
6,657 TAU students were called up for reserve duty in the Oct. 7 war; 2,228 (34%) of them are women.
Tel Aviv University, with almost 30,000 students, is Israel’s largest and most diverse university. New data from TAU reveal a major change in women’s contribution to the war effort compared to the past: in the first months of the current war 6,657 TAU students were called up for reserve duty in the IDF (more than in any other Israeli university), including 2,228 women – 34%. Moreover, in January 2024, after most reserve soldiers had been discharged, 2,545 TAU students, including 755 (29%) women, remained in active service.
Analyzed by faculties, the figures are: of 2,228 female reservists, 481 were from the Faculty of Medicine, 394 from Engineering, 373 from Life and Exact Sciences, 308 from Social Sciences, 167 from Law, 100 from Humanities, 96 from Management, and the rest from other units. Of the men, the greatest number, 1,139, came from the Faculty of Engineering, 804 from Life and Exact Sciences, 483 from Medicine, 333 from Management, 301 from Social Sciences, 259 from Law, 238 from Humanities, and the rest from other units.
According to the university’s decision, all students called up for reserve duty are entitled to a grant of 2,000-9,000 NIS, based on their needs, and the type and length of service. The grants express TAU’s appreciation, as well as the understanding that when these students return, they will need to concentrate on their studies, with little time left for work.
Shir Shachar
Shir Shachar, 28, student for the Master’s degree at the Faculty of Medicine: “I was called up for reserve duty right after the war broke out and served as a researcher in the Ground Forces’ Learning Unit. Our team included both men and women, and it was very exciting, with each of us contributing significantly to the common war effort. The commitment, dedication, and determination of all reservists in their tasks, whether in the field or behind the lines, are very important to success in combat. Only working together, with everyone doing all they can – we can win the war.”
Carmel Cohen, 3rd-year student at the Dept. of Theater Arts: “The moment I was called up I didn’t think twice. I reported to the Homeland Command and served for about three months. Every day we helped civilians impacted by the war, and it felt great, everyone doing all they can for the army and the country. These are hard times for us, and we try to help as much as we can. I recently returned to TAU, and I want to realize my dream and become an actress who makes people smile. Of course, whenever I’m called up again, I will go.”
Prof. Neta Ziv, VP for Equity, Diversity and Community at TAU, applauded the reservists on campus: “Indeed, women’s great contribution is apparent in all spheres of life: the military, the public, and of course the civic arenas. TAU acknowledges and honors the contribution of female reservists and does everything in its power to help all students who served or are still serving in the reserves to successfully resume their studies in this challenging academic year.”
