Marva (Israeli Army)
Known for its stunning military victories and high moral code, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is perhaps the most romanticized army in the world. A true corps of diversity, the IDF is Israel’s melting pot where both men and women serve representing all social classes, ethnicities, and even religions. No trip to Israel would be complete without exposure to the backbone of Israeli society and Marva is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to jump in headfirst!
Marva is an army simulation program run by the IDF and Jewish Agency for Israel to give you a taste of what army life is like. After eight weeks in this immersive army program, serving alongside fellow Jewish youth from countries around the world, you’ll know more about the inner workings of the IDF than you ever dreamed, and you’ll have experienced it firsthand not by learning about it in a museum but by running obstacle courses, learning how to navigate in the desert, and by donning the uniform that most Jews from around the world can only dream to wear.
Survival skills, self-defense, meeting elite soldiers all over the country, and learning about the social services and emergency medical treatment that the army provides both in Israel and all over the world….you’ll do it all.
Here is the weekly breakdown for the two-month Marva program:
Week One: Introduction
This week will be spent in the home base of Sde Boker becoming familiar with army discipline and codes, learning first aid and topography and basic information about the IDF. In addition, participants will undergo weapons training during which they will learn how to use an M-16 rifle. At the end of the week they will experience their first shooting range and first hike. Shabbat is spent on base.
Week Two: Field Training
This week will be spent off-base in field conditions (no bathrooms or showers!) Participants will learn how to be soldiers in the field through lessons on topics such as camouflage, ambushes, training exercises and survival training in both day and night. Shabbat is free.
Week Three: Negev and Navigation Week
Throughout the week, there will be a variety of activities in the Negev area including a visit to an infantry base, a joint exercise with its soldiers, and intense walking. At the end of the week, Marva soldiers climb Masada at sunrise. Shabbat is spent on the base.
Week Four: Galilee/Golan Week
During this week Marva stays at a base in the north. Participants have the opportunity to tour the region, including the Lebanese border.
Week Five: Sport
This week is spent on an army base where participants undergo intensive physical training including fitness, obstacle courses, self-defense and more. Shabbat is spent on the base.
Week Six: Women in the Army/ Infantry week
During this week, the men and women will be separated for the first and only time in the program. Shabbat is free.
Women: The week will be spent visiting several army bases and learning about the opportunities for female soldiers in the IDF.
Men: The week will be spent doing infantry training at a base in the South. Training includes group exercises as well as learning to use heavy weaponry.
Week Seven: Jerusalem Week
This week is spent learning about the three different religions in Jerusalem and exploring the Old and New City. Shabbat is spent on base.
Week Eight: Conclusion
This week is dedicated to final lessons and discussions, an 18 km march, and a military graduation ceremony.
A basic level of Hebrew is recommended.
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