“I was born and raised in an Ethiopian village. In July of 2011, I came to Israel with my family… I studied at a boarding school in Hedera for 4 years until I finished high school… At Derech Eretz, I loved going on outdoor hikes and familiarizing myself with the people and places that comprise Israel. Subsequently, I feel more connected to Israel than ever before and really feel part of it…

Today, I am proud to be a combat soldier in the IDF, in the Golani (Infantry) Brigade. Derech Eretz helped me reach this unit. I came prepared, and was taught what to expect and so many aspects I had no way of knowing before.”

“My name is Sintayehu Genet. I was born and raised in an Ethiopian village where I went to school and herded sheep. I am the eldest sibling and have two brothers and two sisters. In July of 2011, I came to Israel with my family. We were very excited to come to the land of Israel and we first lived in Tzfat and then my family moved to Kiryat Bialik.

I studied at a boarding school in Hedera for 4 years until I finished high school. At the end of 12^th grade, everyone was deciding where they’d like to be placed in the army. I felt many uncertainties as to what I would do in the army – and what I would do up until my draft date to the army. That’s when graduates from my boarding school came to visit us and told us about what they had done in the past year.

One of the visiting graduates was a friend of mine, and he told us about the Derech Eretz mechina [pre-military program] and that it was for half a year up until we’d be drafted, and that we’d meet people from all over the country and get to see hike across Israel.

And those are the reasons I ultimately came to Derech Eretz – to meet Israelis, to learn about Israeli society and feel a part of it – and to come prepared for the army. That is also what I liked the most. I have made life-long friends from across the country who have become like family. At Derech Eretz, I loved going on outdoor hikes and familiarizing myself with the people and places that comprise Israel. Subsequently, I feel more connected to Israel than ever before and really feel part of it.

Today, I am proud to be a combat soldier in the IDF, in the Golani (Infantry) Brigade. Derech Eretz helped me reach this unit. I came prepared, and was taught what to expect and so many aspects I had no way of knowing before.

I will always remember my time at Derech Eretz – the many experiences, learning to take responsibility for myself, to be independent, other various life skills, and so much more. It was a new and defining chapter in my life, and I am thankful for all of the people I met there – friends and counsellors which I will always cherish.”

Sintayehu Genet

Combat Soldier in the IDF Golani (Infantry) Brigade

Derech Eretz, Kmehin Campus, 2016-17