.... Pvt. Or Meidan, stands out amongst the new recruits. In 2011, Pvt. Meidan immigrated to Israel from Uganda with her family. “We were living at a kibbutz, Yad Mordechi, during operation Pillar of Defense,” she recalls of her first days in the country. “Rockets were flying near us every day from the Hamas controlled Gaza Strip.”
Upon arriving in Israel, Pvt. Meidan planned to finish her
university studies, but her experience during the operation inspired her
to take a different path. Pvt. Meidan decided to follow in the
footsteps of her stepfather, a native-born Israeli, and join the IDF.
“My grandfather helped me see that as an Israeli citizen, I also had a
duty to serve my country,” she explained proudly.
At first, joining the army was an overwhelming decision for Pvt. Meidan. “I first went to Mikve Alon
and took a Hebrew course,” she says, referring to her participation in a
basic-training track for new immigrants. After improving her Hebrew,
she drafted into the Air Defense Command, where she joined a group of
soldiers tasked with operating the Iron Dome system. She realized that
the role would allow her to protect Israeli civilians from the same
rocket fire that threatened her family and friends during the operation.
“Growing up in Uganda wasn’t particularly difficult. I was
very focused on my schoolwork and enjoyed learning about new things.”
Pvt. Meidan explains. “I never thought I would be so challenged and
fulfilled, and I am looking forward my daily life and accomplishments in
the IDF,” she adds. Her goal is to become a commander for the Iron Dome
battery, and train others in the importance of being able to save lives
and protect Israeli citizens.
Pvt. Meidan is not Jewish, but she intends participate in
Nativ, a special track for IDF soldiers interested in converting to
Judaism. “I am an Israeli citizen and I am very proud of the job I am
doing in the IDF, but somehow converting to Judaism just feels right,”
she says.
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