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Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program in Lod
Leadership program for youth 14-19 pre-draft. Provides life skills, career path, and aim toward a worthy military role. Strong collaboration with the Ethiopian-Israeli community.
About Lod
Lod has a long-established Israeli-Ethiopian community in neighbourhoods where the community proportion is significant. In recent years the city has drawn attention due to urban-renewal plans and demographic shifts that directly affect the local real-estate market and housing options for the community.
What the program includes
- Weekly workshops: group dialogue, leadership, values, future planning
- Officer tracks: prep for IDF officer school — exams, interviews, psycho-technical
- Career paths: matching to IDF roles by talent (tech, intelligence, command)
- Personal mentor: each participant assigned a personal mentor for the whole process
- Community: belonging to a multi-city group of leading youth
Who is eligible?
- Youth 14-19 (high school, in some tracks ages 12+)
- Motivation to contribute (academic excellence not required)
- Community-engaged — interested in leadership within the community alongside IDF
How to join
- Registration: aharai.org.il → "Join"
- Interview: personal + group
- Trial period: 1-2 months
- Participation: usually 1-2 times per week + weekend events
Bonus value: alumni network of commanders, tech professionals, and social activists. Meaningful community connections.
Ethiopian community in Lod
- Community population
- ~8,000
- Share of city
- ~11%
- Main neighbourhoods
- רמת אשכול, מרכז, גנים
- Community services
- ENP, NATAL, ביה"ס אתיופי
More rights in Lod
This right in other cities
FAQ — Lod
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Lod?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Lod numbers approximately ~8,000 residents — around ~11% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: רמת אשכול, מרכז, גנים.
- How do I claim Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program in Lod?
- Apply via the relevant government body in Lod. For support: ENP, NATAL, ביה"ס אתיופי.
- What community support is available in Lod for this right?
- In Lod, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: ENP, NATAL, ביה"ס אתיופי.
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