From Caribbean to IDF
Daughter of Israeli businessman from Dominican Republic moves to Israel, joins army
Thousands of Israelis dream of a holiday in the Caribbean, but a teenager from the Dominican Republic decided to do the opposite route and leave the exotic islands and her family behind, in order to come to Israel and join the IDF.
Anat Lev, 19, already completed her basic training, and in the coming days will start will start a combat soldier course in the army's search and rescue unit. Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.
Lev was born 19 years ago in Santa Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Her father, today a businessman in the island, fought with the IDF in the 1973 Yom Kippur, after which he went on a trip around the world.
In the Dominican Republic he met a tour guide, fell in love with her, and got married.
"A year ago I heard of the possibility of joining the army, and the idea appealed to me" Anat said.
The teenager turned to the army and engaged in a correspondence with the drafting unit.
"My father was very happy I'm following in his footsteps. Meanwhile, I completed a Hebrew course at the base, because when I arrived in Israel I spoke no Hebrew," she added.
Lev was recognized as a "lone soldier" and was offered housing at the Ein Hashofet kibbutz.
"Everyone tells me I'm crazy to have left the Caribbeans and come to Israel to join the army. All my friends are at university. But here I learned there is time for everything and I will study later. I feel great to be here," she said.
