This is a great program, and we are at a wonderful kibbutz! I can't wait for my draft date, and feel thankful for this wonderful opportunity afforded to me by the Israel Scouts....

this was a very uplifting story...

Their parents must have done something right to nurture these gems. Probably a mixture of longing and regret at abandoning their homeland. Is this in Hebrew Ynet ?Somehow I don't think so. The two YNET publications can't manage TOO much Zionism in one go, only teeny weeny bits every now and again. The latte lefties will hold a demonstration if the paper shows too much patriotism, and their regular, arrogant, dried up anti Israel contributors may run away. We should be so lucky...

They were called 'kids ' only once. That's an improvement.

With Israel's current "Defense Minister" and "Prime Minister", you have little chance of coming home...

Wonderful,such an uplifting piece of news!! Drew I wish you all the best!!

of the Jewish existence. Col Hakavod Lachem. I'm sure you will not regret your decision.!!

Kol Hakavod, I hope you'll enjoy your stay in Israel.

In all of the reporting I saw during the Hezbollah attack, I didn't see any articles concerning the yeshiva boys dropping their books and volunteering to fight for Israel's survival. What's the story on that? I honestly don't know the answer to this, being in the USA. I would think the pressure is on the non-fighting youth when they see the Northern part of their contry being destroyed.

i yhink it's safer for your life to serve in Hizbollah rather than in IDF where you will be surely killed

too innocent and stupid, not a bit brave. If the best units in IDF suffer a severe casulties fighting hizbllah army, how can stupid young men join the army to get involve in such war? one piece of advice to the stupid guys hero-to-be, get a life, you are too young to die, and death is the only fate for those who want to fight hizbllah.

Politicians lie - kids die.

Most Israelis no longer enlist in the IDF. You know why? Because if you're a woman - you'll be sexually harassed or assaulted (or often raped). If you're a human being, you'll undergo degrading treatment by your commanders, and the army will deny all responsibility. Up to this year, the no. 1 cause of death in the IDF was suicide, and that's no accident. I would also wonder about the moral side of enlisting into an army that keeps killing more civilians than combatants, in all the conflicts it is involved in...

Drew - Best of luck and you guys are the best!!! It's because of people like you Israel still exists and will exist forever!!

perfect example of a frenchman. i didn't expect anything less. you're the reason why we'll never be like the greatest generation.

Since some of these people are older than 21 have any of them completed college? And if so are the college degrees that you completed here in the U.S. or Canada valid in Israel also? Do you all speak some Hebrew at least enough to get around and if not do you think Ulpan will get you above par? Just asking because I am thinking about maybe moving to Israel to serve in the army and live!

what a shame that these youths are pumping blood inot a dead horse.they have the right intention but the result is bleak.israel will never be the same from now on.this is the beginning of the end no matter how many troops join and no matter how mand billions of dollars you pump into israel and no matter many articles of support (and self denial)you write. if the leaders of israel sees a bad future and are ready to start peace talks,that tells you that the see no victory in the future. it is over.

Neither of you would understand why they are there (especially you moe), they are there to protect thier people from a cowardice aggeressor who if truley wanted peace, we would have had a long time ago. And moe, you tell them to get a life? What is your life, denouncing Israel for defending itself? I have seen your other comments on this site, and to me, taht is all it seems. My best friend went to Israel to help serve, but as an American he cannot, so he became a fire fighter in Haifa. What could be better for Israel. Hezbollah wants nothing but war, they murder, kidnap, and buy the lebanese with Iranian money. Good luck and God's Speed to you all in this wonderful program.

!#13 unlucky number? You sound panicky, how funny. But Ynet's even dumber than you, as usual.

I was at Kibbutz Yiron in 1978 and remember the katusha's then,It makes me proud in these times of spoilt kids that some still live the dream i had at that age. Its a great place and i remember it as the best time of my life,Hopefully you do as well.Stay safe.

and if you think we’ll let you get this piece of land- think again, because the Jewish people stronger than you can imagine. we are here and we’ll stay here.

UN security council saved Hisbulla and Nasralla

You are my heroes!

God bless each and every individual who leaves the safety of their home in North America to help fight for Israel.

I can't speak for the people mentioned in this article, but I can talk from my own perspective on your questions. In December I finish college and in March or May of this coming year I will be moving to Israel, still age 21. From all my research, degrees are perfectly valid as long as the school is accredited and legit. You just have to jump through some bureaucratic hoops to have it transferred. The only Hebrew I learned was how to read and write the alephbet from 3rd grade until 7th grade, and even then, only with vowels and only on Sundays. Since February, I have been taking one-on-one lessons with a friend who is teaching me everything I never learned (grammar, reading without vowels, etc.). To put it in perspective consider this: I took 5 years of French, from 8th grade through 12th grade. I now know more Hebrew than French from what I've learned from February to May (and now). If you have the drive and will, it is attainable. If you know nothing, getting in the right ulpan will make all the difference. My advice to you is to just move there and do it, as soon as you graduate. Don't waste time finding a job or girlfriend here. You'll just end up never following your dream. You can only think about the move and plan so much, but you reach a point where you just have to jump in the water and do it. Remember, it's only a plane ticket back to the US if you want to visit (albeit an expensive one...)!