Home / Rights & Programs / Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program
Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program in Rishon LeZion
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 Rishon LeZion
Rishon LeZion is home to a large, active Israeli-Ethiopian community, historically concentrated in the Ramat Eliyahu neighbourhood — originally built as absorption housing and now a long-standing community centre. The neighbourhood is at the heart of urban-renewal efforts, alongside a growing second-generation presence across the city.
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.
