From Princeton to the IDF

Aron Wander, a 22-year-old from Manhattan, recently completed his studies at the prestigious Princeton University with a degree in politics. Despite the many promising public sector job offers he received, Wander decided he wanted to make aliyah and enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, through the Garin Tzabar program.

"It always seemed unfair to me that only Israelis defend Israel," Wander said. "I was always told that as a Jew, the State of Israel will always be there for me, should I need it, while I need do nothing to be worthy of this right. Therefore, right now, I want to do something in return on behalf of the state that I feel an inseparable part of."

Wander will move to Israel in August and enlist in the IDF in November. He hopes to join a combat unit.

Following his IDF service, Wander wants to apply what he learned at Princeton and enter politics. The question of whether that will be in Israel or the U.S. remains open.

"I see my friends making progress toward jobs and beginning their professional development, but that doesn't affect me, because I feel that I will be in the right place, at the heart of meaningful action that has no replacement, precisely in the place that I need to be," Wander said.

Tzofim Tzabar Olami executive director Gary Vitkin said the Garin Tzabar program, which is supported by the Immigrant Absorption Ministry and the Jewish Agency, "was established for the purpose of providing a support system and to accompany young Jews from throughout the world who have chosen to make aliyah and do meaningful service in the IDF, even if a high personal price is incurred. During this period, in particular, we see a large response of young Jews who want to join Garin Tzabar, such that just for the coming year we expect no less than 500 young people from throughout the world."