Home / Rights & Programs / Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program
Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program in Ramla
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 Ramla
Ramla, conveniently located near Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport, hosts an Israeli-Ethiopian community that benefits from the city's strategic location. Ramla's housing market offers apartments at relatively accessible prices for the central region, attracting residents seeking easy access to greater Tel Aviv.
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.
Related rights
National-Civic Service for Community Youth
Alternative to army: 1-2 years serving the community (education, welfare, health), with benefits identical to standing-army soldiers — stipend, study grant, tax exemption.
Youth Mentorship — PERACH, ENP, Fidel
Academic/social mentorship programs for Ethiopian-Israeli youth. PERACH (university student → school pupil), ENP (32 cities, school-based), Fidel (families + mediators).
Excellence Employment Programs — Olim Beyahad & Tech-Career
Placement of academics in tech and management via Olim Beyahad (700+ placed, 90% retention) and Tech-Career (tech bootcamps). Free, merit-based.
Subsidized Summer Camps — Ministry of Education
Summer camp subsidies for school-age children (6-14) from eligible families. Up to 80% discount. Register via school or municipality.
