Thank you for serving in our military Avi. May God bless you here in this land . I am proud of what you've overcome.

I'd much rather have this man in Israel as an officer in the IDF, defending our nation against innumerable threats, dedicted to converting and living as a Jew than your "verbal" support from Montreal Canada. He probably knows more about Judaism and Hebrew than you do in any case.

There must be a sentence or two missing from the article explaining how he escaped the slavery he was meant to be in. It's not clear if he escaped Egypt or escaped criminal elements once in Israel. Can anyone fill readers in?

wife, like Uriah, like Jethro, like countless others....welcome Avi! Welcome to our family! Am Yisrael Chai!

Falafelis, #25, you are a Canadian, I am an American, Avi will be an Israeli. Our nationalities are determined by our passports, not by our religion or the color of our skin. Nationality is a secular term. If I read the article correctly, an Israeli couple has adopted Avi legally. Israel is the country of Israelis whose backgrounds are from many religions and also people without any religion. Serving in the IDF will be an additional (to his adoption) entitlement for Avi to solidify his Israeli citizenship, to be given Israeli nationality, to possess the Israeli passport. If he wants to convert, he can do so, but it should have no bearing on defining him as an Israeli. He has earned it doubly and with great pride. Along with Avi from Tel Aviv, #32, I accept Avi who was born in Guinea, as a True Israeli.

Who are you overthere in Canada to give your mind ????? Shut up or come here to serve in the army, you piece of nothing. I would rather have 100 Avi's then one like you. Idiot

this article doesn't really reflect well on Israel...it makes it seem as though he was sold to work as a slave in Israel. However, I don't see why they call it slavery since he willingly made a deal to get a free plane ticket in exchange for giving up part of his salary. It wasn't like he was sent to some Israeli plantation and forced to work for nothing. The guy wasn't lying when he told him about how much he could earn in israel, and just compare that to what he could earn in his home country! What a terribly written article!

.....explain this story to me?????The kid was sold to slavery????? and was sent to Israel?????Some pieces are missing from this story!!!!!

Avi made me cry...if he can do it anyone can!

Every Jew has a right to an opinion. I happen to share yours, but don't tell us that because we don't live there we can't have an opinion. The Jews in Chutz L'Arez play a role in the well being of Israel as well. Let's hope he does convert.

Mazal Tov Israel need more young people like you good luck Awesome store !!!!!

All sort of third world illegal aliens are invading our land daily and nobody it's doing nothing to stop them. Politicians are too busy thinking about the money they get in the state; meanwhile it's becoming a third worl country here. Third world Asians and African invade our streets and cities.

#29 How can we be sure that his conversion will be sincere? There's a high chance he's only doing it in order to stay in Israel. #32, #36 and #37 I'm sorry if it offended you that "verbal support" is all I can do for my country at the age of 15. When I turn 18, however, I plan on returning to Israel and will do more than you guys ever did sitting on your a*ses all day and reading stories P.S I'm a 4th generation Israeli citizen whose family has lost numerous lives for the country. The sad thing is, I probably know more about Israel than all of you combined

who dies for the Jewish cause. Jews values life, their own.

Poor person. You should stay in Canada or even being expelled. This guy make me proud to be jewish and israeli. You should remember our best forefathers were converted.

Did you ever stop to ponder that maybe he *wanted* to convert? Israel is a place where you a free to make choices, he is an intelligent man, capable of making such an autonomous choice for himself.

We don't know. It seems it from what he says and how he says it. But define 'sincere'. In my opinion, he doesn't have to be orthodox to be sincere. And since he volunteered for the army, that is sincere enough for me.

yasher koach, may you go from strength to strength B"H.

Avi you are an amazing person, exactly what the world and Israel needs more of. Am Chai Yisrael

kid,you are too young and ambitious,but in 10-15 years you will understand ( I hope),that your post (#25) wasn't very smart. good luck. :-))

Inspirational and beautiful story. It shows how humanity can triumph against all odds and adversities with the help of GOD'S people who show mercy and compassion for the downtrodden.

Wish him well.

so this african is from the land of palestine and he deserves to live here freely but we palestinian (middle easterns) do not deserve to live in palestine? everyone of you is crazy if you think so, god is much bigger that all of you.

have a future here ?

Google Jonas Saulk you putz. You seem to observe much and know nothing. How do you do it? Maybe you will observe Egypt circling the toilet as the military allows the newly "free" Egyptian citizen to be Jew hating rats like always. Your new found freedom is to be confined to an old formula. You all get to vent your psychosis against Israel and Jews as a down payment for more of the same from the same puppet masters as always, your vaunted Egyptian Army. Yeah, good luck with that, loser!

post emancipatory nation states. On a daily basis, in news, music, and non-printed media the good deeds of others are an important sharing point from which we learn to emulate our affinitys and not make quagmires for eachother. A legionaire from France is not a mercenary and you don't need WW2 to prove it.

This African acknowledges Israels right to exist and supports it. He realizes the true Israel, not the one in your poisoned mind. He knows he is a newcomer in the land of the Jews. He knows a good thing when he sees it; freedom and acceptance. No "apartheid" whatsoever.