The conscription law in the State of Israel interrupts the careers of many talented athletes at the age of 18. The combination of military service and sports life is complex and difficult, but there are also those who receive the status of active or outstanding athletes - and manage to manage successful careers alongside meaningful service.
In honor of Rosh Hashanah, "Israel Hayom" in a special project with the "Spokesman of the IDF" brings the story of three young athletes, who do it with great success.
Noam Doberat, a basketball player in Hapoel Jerusalem, serves in the Home Front Command
. Noam Doberat is known to every Israeli sports fan.
At the age of 20, the talented basketball player is considered one of the top Israeli players, he led the reserve team to fourth place in the European Championship this summer, and plays for Hapoel Jerusalem from the Premier League.
At the same time as the professional career he leads, a spokeswoman serves in the IDF in the position of Command and Control Systems NCO in the Home Front Command.
"Finding the balance between the army and basketball is definitely a challenge, but I have good commanders who help me organize a suitable schedule in which I can perform my duties in the army in the best way, without this harming my career and training," he tells Israel Hayom.
"It was important for me to enlist, this is my way of contributing back and serving my country, and creating an equal valley between my career and the army. I think that being an athlete and representing Israel is also a contribution to the country."
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He excelled in the European Championship, photo: Alan Shiver
The young basketball player also talks about common points he recognizes between the army and sports: "I think that sports, from a young age, give a routine of a healthy lifestyle and habits that help shape the character, and instill important and healthy principles, which can help in other things in life. It's just like the army, the team has A common goal and we fight together to achieve it."
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Opens a second season in Jerusalem, photo: Oded Karni
Shalio Giani, a karate fighter, serves in the Home Front Command
Shalio Giani is a 21-year-old professional karate player, who won the silver medal in the individual event and a gold medal in the team event at the last Maccabiah.
At the same time, he serves together with Dovrat as a command and control systems officer in the Home Front Command.
"I enlisted out of Zionism," he says, "in my position now I get to save human lives, my pride is to represent the country on the podium and in uniform."
He says about his role: "As a SHB systems officer, I work with the fox system that saves human lives. Thanks to my commander who helps me build a suitable schedule, I manage to serve a significant service while complying with an intensive training regimen."
Gianni quail.
Aiming high, photo: IDF spokesman
"I started practicing karate from the age of 4, following my older brother, and since then I have been in the sport. My father taught me and educated me not to give up, stick to the goal and help others. About three years ago he passed away at the age of 58, and after his death I decided not to give up on myself and with the help of encouragement from my family and my brother in particular, I continued to train and compete The dream is to reach the maximum of my abilities and make my father proud of me."
About the joint service with the basketball player, he says: "We really follow and support each other. If I have a competition, he asks how it was and if he had a game, I ask. I also really appreciate him as a person, he is an amazing person."
Maya Bar-On, horse rider, serves in the technology
department Maya Bar-On, 19 years old, is a professional horse rider, and the Israeli champion under the age of 21 in high show jumping.
Last May, she became the first Israeli to win in Maccabiah in this branch since entering the competition.
Alongside her career, she serves in the IDF in the computing section of the land technology division, in the technology division.
Maya Bar-On.
Impressive achievements, photo: IDF spokesman
"I believe it is very important to enlist, I wanted to take part and give of myself while combining it with my sports career. The army developed me in directions I never thought of. I went through experiences that strengthened me personally and athletically, and I was exposed to people from different population groups and I felt like I belonged."
"It's important for me to combine sports with life in the army and as a civilian, along with training 6 times a week, I train and guide children in horseback riding, play the piano and this October I will start studying law and all this thanks to the support I receive from my commanders in the army."
"In 2012 my father got cancer and in 2016 my mother too, it was a difficult and complex time. The sport put me back on my feet every time and strengthened me, I felt that it gave me light in life despite everything."
She concludes: "My goals for the new year are to continue to invest and hopefully be among the first places in the Israel Championship 2023, and of course to continue to conquer goals and achievements abroad."
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