When Avi Moskowitz and Aron Shoenfeld made aliyah, they brought with them deep commitments to Israel and Jewish identity. Though their paths to military service differed, both chose to enlist through Shlav Bet, an enlistment track designed for those who missed the traditional draft. Their stories reveal the challenges, motivations, and personal growth involved in integrating into Israeli society through serving in the IDF.
<br><strong>Avi Moskowtiz</strong>
When Avi Moskowitz and his family made aliyah in 2016, he was already married with three young children - aged 4, 2, and just two months. He and his wife, both committed Zionists, had long spoken about moving to Israel, in the belief that this is “where Jews belong,” and the desire to raise children who were independent, resilient, and rooted in Jewish identity. As a religious Jew, Avi felt that living anywhere else simply didn’t make sense.
Although he was 28 years old - past the typical draft age - and the army didn’t need him at the time he made aliyah, Avi had always been interested in serving. For years, he assumed that there was simply no way for an older Oleh to join the army. Originally, the Shlav Bet enlistment track - designed for older or previously exempt recruits - was only for haredim (ultra-Orthodox). But after October 7, the rules relaxed for who they accepted, and some of his friends from the dati leumi (national-religious) community joined, he began to seriously consider it.
At the time, he was already volunteering with Hatzalah’s psychotrauma unit which involved meeting displaced families near the Dead Sea, and volunteering in hamalim (civilian war rooms). He also initiated and helped organize a local security patrol. Joining Shlav Bet, was an opportunity to contribute more directly.
“It’s a way to really give back long-term. It’s a life decision. I have so many friends who have put in hundreds of days in miluim (reserves), not that I can replace most of them or what they do… but if I can relieve someone who’s been serving for two years, and take some of that responsibility and help where needed - it’s meaningful.”
Avi first applied to Shlav Bet in 2024, inspired by a friend who had joined a search-and-rescue unit (which, he later learned, meant body identification). In the spring, he attended a Shlav Bet conference for those interested in joining the logistics division (Alog 99). Despite bureaucratic hurdles and delays - partly due to the war with Iran - he was finally accepted and began training in August.
The intake process, prior to Tironut (basic training) took place at Tel Hashomer, where he initially faced difficulties completing the intake process. Once he had succeeded, he began a two-week long basic training. The program was intense: recruits stayed on base all week, only returning home for Shabbat. Phones were confiscated during the day, they needed to be standing dressed, ready and at attention by 5:15 a.m., and days ended at 10:30 p.m., with one hour of phone time and showers. Half the day was spent in classrooms - studying military topics, history, and halacha related to army service - and the other half in physical training and krav maga. About a third of his fellow recruits were dati, another third haredi, and the rest from diverse backgrounds, including many Olim.
After completing basic training, Avi began his miluim (reservist duty), alternating one week on base and one week at home. Due to an outdated file, he was initially placed in a security unit, but he eventually managed to switch to the vehicle repair unit, where he would be trained to serve as a vehicle mechanic. This course too was postponed twice, and his base assignment kept changing, but he persisted and finally began the course last Sunday.
Several factors motivated him to do Shlav Bet, says Avi. As olim, he felt that he and his family lacked some of the cultural ties that native-born Israelis often take for granted. For Avi, army service is a way to bridge that gap and help his children feel more connected to Israeli society.
The journey has had its challenges though. Being away from home for weeks is hard on the family, and the bureaucracy is frustrating.
“All militaries are relatively huge and disorganised. But I rolled with the punches and knew what I was getting into so none of it bothered me too much. Once things settled it was easier.”
Still, Avi is grateful for the experience. “It’s definitely meaningful, and I feel like I’m making a difference.” Serving has helped him feel more Israeli, more integrated into society, and deeply connected to Israel’s national fabric.
Seeing the IDF from the inside has been fascinating and eye-opening, he said. “It’s amazing to see so many different types of people - Left, Right, haredi, dati, secular - all working together. The IDF is a melting pot. In the army, everyone is together, everyone is family.”
His perspective has also changed in some ways. Beforehand, seeing a soldier in uniform felt like looking at a world he didn’t belong to. Now, when he sees a soldier, he feels like one of them. A friend of Avi summed up the experience well: “Before, I thought Israel had the strongest, fastest, and most advanced army in the world. Now I’m convinced only God is running it.”
Aron Shoenfeld
In the summer of 2019, Aron Shoenfeld visited Israel with his family for what was meant to be a short vacation. After spending about two weeks touring and visiting primarily biblical sites, his children asked him why they didn’t live in Israel if all their history was rooted there. Unable to provide a convincing answer, Aron realized that they were right: it was time to make aliyah. The next step was convincing his wife to move.
Several years later, Aron chose to enlist in the IDF through Shlav Bet, an enlistment track that is often misunderstood, he said. Contrary to popular belief, Shlav Bet is not a special army status but rather a means for those who were unable to serve earlier - due to reasons like making aliyah after the draft age or medical issues - to join the military. Once enlisted, all soldiers are treated equally after proving themselves, regardless of how they were drafted.
Aron was assigned to the 99th Division, known as Ugda 99, which played a critical role in the conflict in Gaza. Within this division, he served in Alog 99, the logistics and security unit responsible for overseeing essential supplies, such as equipment, food, and water, for bases in Central Gaza. His specific team, Avtacha, managed security, including guarding the base’s gates and perimeter 24/7, acting as first responders during attacks, and protecting convoys delivering supplies into Gaza. He spent many days traveling throughout Gaza to supervise these deliveries and provide security for the trucks.
The path to enlistment was not easy, however. Aron faced significant bureaucratic challenges and had to persistently advocate for himself. After applying in October, he followed up weekly, often encountering issues like not being found in the system or being promised callbacks that he never received. When Alog 99 took over the enlistment program, the process became more efficient, but he still received his initial draft call only days before his enlistment. Despite these hurdles, he considers his experience relatively smooth compared to others.
For Aron, the decision to serve went beyond obligation; it was also a personal obligation. This was clarified in a conversation that he had with his daughter about the army, sherut leumi (national service), and the army’s various needs. They noted that for every combat soldier, there are seven other non-combat soldier, providing essential support behind the scenes. With this in mind, Aron felt a stronger pull to serve. “How could I tell my daughter that the army needs people while the opportunity to be part of the solution was right in front of me?”
Looking back, Aron regards his decision to serve as one of the best choices he has made. It strengthened his connection to Israel and taught him a great deal about himself, his limits, and the country’s society, people, and history. He believes he set a positive example for his children and others, reflecting that “we no longer need to say we made Aliyah for our kids but for ourselves too.”
While his overall view of Israel remains unchanged, Aron’s perspective on the IDF has evolved. Many see the IDF as primarily a combat force, but only about 20% of soldiers actually serve in combat roles, while the other 80%, who work in non-combat roles, provide vital support. Many people who know they won’t serve in combat still dedicate themselves fully to the army for years. This commitment and dedication is a key reason for Israel’s strength, says Aharon. “Despite all of the noise and protests, there is a common soul amongst all of us.”
Aron shared that his experience offers many valuable lessons, but the key takeaway is to tune out the distractions and concentrate on the positives. Despite the hardships of war, countless acts of kindness and resilience are taking place that should be acknowledged.
While some members of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community choose not to enlist, many others are fighting to serve. For every family managing household responsibilities during a spouse’s military service, there are numerous individuals stepping in to provide support. And for every Israeli soldier, many people in the United States are actively trying to help them.
He concludes by noting that Israel will never be the same as it was before October 7, but now is the time to come together and unite.