Ethan Berman now goes by Eitan after making Aliya right after working at Camp Judaea last summer. Eitan joined Garin Tzabar to help him with his move. Garin Tzabar, a program run by the Friends of the Israel Scouts, inc., was founded in 1991. Garin, a Hebrew word for “core” or “seed”, is a term used in Israel for a group of soldiers who choose to experience their army service together as a social unit of mutual support and camaraderie. The members of Garin Tzabar, a group formed for Diaspora Jews and sons od Israelis who choose to move to Israel and serve in the IDF, are adopted by the Israel Scouts and placed in a hosting kibbutz that quickly becomes their home away from home throughout the duration of their army service.  214 people made Aliya with Garin Tzabar in 2009.  Upon arrival, Eitan was placed on Kibbutz Malkiya which is in the northeast Galil, on the Lebanese border.  Kibbutz Malkiya will be his home base during his army service.  Eitan began his army service this month and is with a Nahal unit near Arad.

Eitan would love letters or care packages! This is his information:
Eitan Berman
Garin Tzabar
Kibbutz Malkiya
D.N. HaMarom HaGalil 13845

Camp Judaea has participated in the Lone Soldier Program through Merkaz Hamagshimim in Israel to let our alumni that are alone in Israel and in the army know that we are thinking about them.  Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah’s Lone Soldier Project (“Chayalim Bodedim”) stems from an understanding of the difficulties lone soldiers face and a desire to ease those difficulties by providing them with a home away from home.  Between 2005-2007, the scope of the Lone Soldier Project has expanded. Initially, it provided basic services to 80 English-speaking lone soldiers serving in the IDF. Today, the project provides more extensive services to 300 lone soldiers.  For the past 5 years, Camp Judaea has sent our CJ Alumni that are “Chayalim Bodedim” packages from our campers.