Imagine being an Israeli kid with Down Syndrome and dreaming one day of becoming a soldier in the IDF.
Imagine the parents dreaming to see this special child gain an independent life.
Now imagine this dream becoming reality.
As the video below shows, "Great in Uniform" is a project that integrates young people with disabilities into the IDF, as soldiers in every aspect including a uniform. The goal: to provide a successful path of integration into society.
It all started in 2001, when IDF Lt. Col. Ariel Almog was driving in the Jordan Valley and spotted a terrorist approaching a bus full of passengers. After a short struggle, Almog succeeded in neutralizing the terrorist, who was wearing three explosive devices.
Almog was shot in the head, but miraculously managed to neutralize the terrorist.
Then suddenly, shots were fired at Almog from a nearby olive grove. A "back-up" terrorist was there to assist in the planned carnage. Almog was shot in the head, but miraculously managed to fire his own weapon and neutralize the second terrorist as well.
While recuperating for months in the hospital, Almog was exposed to many injured people with disabilities. It was then he conceived of incorporating disabled teens into the IDF.
Today, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Belinitzky of the Israeli organization "Lend a Hand" is on board to expand the project to include thousands more teenagers throughout the country.
Rabbi Belinitzky is driven to fulfill the Torah precepts of "Love your neighbor" and sanctifying God's name, Kiddush Hashem.
By working in IDF kitchens and supply depots, the project enables young men and women to preserve their human dignity, while gaining skills to contribute meaningfully to society. A team of psychologists and social workers accompany the soldiers throughout the program.
It's something all Israel can be proud of.
(11) Tim Benton, May 31, 2020 4:38 PM
Touching
I am a parent of a special needs child, has dreamed of going into the military. I live in the US, but would happily make a trip to Israel for him to have this opportunity.
I am Jewish, would be very proud to see him become part of something like this.
(10) Lidia, February 11, 2019 4:53 AM
Just AWESOME!!!
One more great example of our wonderful and so great IDF .
Kol ha kavod to these special chayalim and to all that help with this program.
So proud of our people!
This is such ahavat Israel on all sides.
(9) Sharon Dodge, May 18, 2016 6:04 PM
Bravo to IDF for this wonderful program.
This is a very heartening stry and I am proud of you all for intragrating these very special teens int the working force with the IDF. I love Israel and hope to live there some day. I will be there this fall and would love to help out and work with this special group.
God Bless you all.
Sharon
(8) cindy graham, July 14, 2014 4:58 AM
donating funds to the idf
I would love to find out how to send a financial donation to the idf, how would I go about doing this... please let me know.
(7) Darrell, May 22, 2014 3:15 AM
Seeing my handicap brothers and sisters.
I am one of thous invisible handicap people mine can't be seen but have me write something down without some kind of help, or dealing with others it has taken all of my 54 years to seam normal.
So in watching this video it was like watching family as they are my brothers and sisters.
I can see where Israel is doing thing for all it's people helping them become part of something more and not putting them to the side like they do here in the U.S.A.
To be discarded like garbage, and treated so is to feel even more disable, but to see what they do in adding them and being an include and valued part is to feel worth.
We as any kind of a person want to feel as part of something and worth something I don't need to say more.
Now I need to think how do I get to Israel and join the IDF and do they take the over 50 crowd?
(6) srah, May 19, 2014 6:28 AM
kol ha kavod!
B"H!!
What an outstanding project!! KOL HA KAVOD!! TODAH RABA!!
(5) Herb Fried, May 19, 2014 1:11 AM
Incredible but not surprising
It is incredible that any country that faces such security concerns would have a program like this this but for people who know what Israel is all about it is not unexpected. Truly a light unto the nations.
(4) Sarah Rivka :), May 19, 2014 12:19 AM
Wow! The video brought tears to my eyes!
It's making me want to join the IDF myself!
I've worked with people with developmental disabilities and I think this is a great opportunity for such people in Israel to integrate into Israeli society!
(3) cee, May 18, 2014 11:50 PM
Very Touching
Mi KeAmcha YIsrael. Who is like your nation Israel- kind, compassionate, bravo State of Israel.
(2) Dvirah, May 18, 2014 4:19 PM
Great Idea!
I first became aware of this program when I saw, every Sunday and Thursday, what looked liked "disabled" soldiers in their uniforms riding the trains with me. Gradually from their conversation I learned that these were not soldiers who had been injured but special-needs soldiers riding to and from their bases just like all the others - and I am very proud of them and Zahal!
(1) Gerard Fournier Sarasota Fl..USA, May 18, 2014 3:22 PM
Best part of Israeli Intelligence.. Mossad and Special Gifted Teens
The very best part of why Israel was chosen to house and lead the rest of the world by it's compassion to include those who seek peace and prosperity with all of His Grace.
Raphaelle Do Lern Hwei, May 21, 2014 6:14 AM
The US Navy and Singapore Armed Forces also involved in special education
I mentioned about my second brother who stayed in assisted living residence yesterday. The crew of a US Navy aircraft carrier and 2 units of the Singapore Armed Forces were at Mindsville, Loring Napir where my brother stayed between 2008 and 2011. There are no vacancies for my bro at present. So IDF is one option - he gets to go overseas.