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National-Civic Service for Community Youth in Be'er Sheva
Alternative to the army: 1-2 years serving the community (education, welfare, health). The subsistence payment is ₪810 a month, plus a tiered maintenance allowance and free travel.
About Be'er Sheva
Be'er Sheva, the largest city in the south, hosts a growing Israeli-Ethiopian community, with a notable second-generation presence around Ben-Gurion University and regional educational institutions. The city offers a wide range of properties and housing opportunities alongside ongoing infrastructure and development projects.
When is it the right path?
- When the army doesn't fit (medical, psychological, or religious exemption) — or when civic-service track is preferred.
- For women — legally easier to enter civic over military.
- For older immigrants — drafted but prefer service in their hometown.
Benefits
- Subsistence payment: ₪810 a month (raised from ₪540 in March 2025, backdated to January 2025)
- Maintenance allowance (דמי כלכלה): paid in addition, tiered by housing and meals. A lone volunteer receives a supplement of 50% of the rate for a volunteer living at home
- Travel: free on trains and buses
- Housing in kind: for volunteers placed far from home
In total the cash components run roughly ₪800-2,100 a month, depending on the mix.
This page previously said "~₪5,000/month" — about five times the real figure. It also claimed "benefits identical to standing-army soldiers" and a "tax exemption for the first three working years"; no source was found for either and both were removed.
How to start
- Registration: via sherut-leumi.co.il → "Candidates"
- Choose a role: from the list of recognised host organisations on the authority's site. (An earlier version said ENP, Tene Briut, Tebeka and Olim Beyahad were "most of them" — there are hundreds of host organisations, so that was not true.)
- Interview: with the host organization
- Start: usually 1st of the next month
Idea for community youth: Service at ENP/Fidel/Tene Briut = direct community work + career development in education/welfare/health.
Ethiopian community in Be'er Sheva
- Community population
- ~10,000
- Share of city
- ~5%
- Main neighbourhoods
- שכ' ד', שכ' ה', שכ' א'
- Community services
- ENP, אוניברסיטת בן גוריון, עמותות מקומיות
More rights in Be'er Sheva
This right in other cities
FAQ — Be'er Sheva
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Be'er Sheva?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Be'er Sheva numbers approximately ~10,000 residents — around ~5% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: שכ' ד', שכ' ה', שכ' א'.
- How do I claim National-Civic Service for Community Youth in Be'er Sheva?
- Apply via the relevant government body in Be'er Sheva. For support: ENP, אוניברסיטת בן גוריון, עמותות מקומיות.
- What community support is available in Be'er Sheva for this right?
- In Be'er Sheva, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: ENP, אוניברסיטת בן גוריון, עמותות מקומיות.
Related rights
Aharai! — Pre-Army Leadership Program
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.
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).
Advanced Ulpan (Bet / Gimmel) — Hebrew Beyond Basics
Continued Hebrew studies beyond basic ulpan. Ulpan Bet (everyday), Gimmel (academic). Free / subsidized via Ministry of Aliyah. Every immigrant is eligible during the first 10 years.
Military Discharge Benefits for Ethiopian-Israeli Veterans
Ethiopian-Israeli discharged soldiers are entitled to a discharge grant of up to 120,000 ILS, an education scholarship, mortgage points, and preference in civil service.