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National-Civic Service for Community Youth in Jerusalem
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 Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel's capital, hosts a large Israeli-Ethiopian community concentrated historically in the Gondar neighbourhood in the north and with significant presence in Kiryat HaYovel and other areas. The city is home to the Centre for Ethiopian Jewish Heritage and several traditional synagogues led by kessim, alongside a broad housing market.
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 Jerusalem
- Community population
- ~30,000
- Share of city
- ~4%
- Main neighbourhoods
- גונדר, קרית היובל, פסגת זאב
- Community services
- מרכז מורשת יהדות אתיופיה, ENP
More rights in Jerusalem
This right in other cities
FAQ — Jerusalem
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Jerusalem?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Jerusalem numbers approximately ~30,000 residents — around ~4% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: גונדר, קרית היובל, פסגת זאב.
- How do I claim National-Civic Service for Community Youth in Jerusalem?
- Apply via the relevant government body in Jerusalem. For support: מרכז מורשת יהדות אתיופיה, ENP.
- What community support is available in Jerusalem for this right?
- In Jerusalem, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: מרכז מורשת יהדות אתיופיה, ENP.
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.