New program honors fallen soldiers by preparing young Israelis for service
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In northern Israel, the Ma’ase Center and Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry will launch “The Four” program to prepare young adults for military or national-civic service.
The 10-month program, located in Eliad in the Golan Heights, will serve 18- to 20-year-olds from traditional, religious, and haredi backgrounds. It memorializes Maj. (res.) Moshe Yedidyah Leiter, Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, Master Sgt. (res.) Sergey Shmerkin, and Master Sgt. (res.) Matan Meir, four IDF reservists killed in Gaza in November 2023.
The program will combine preparation for service with leadership training, physical fitness, agricultural work, and volunteering in northern communities impacted by recent conflict. Participants will receive guidance on enlistment procedures and mentoring to build discipline and self-confidence. Organizers established the program at the request of the fallen soldiers’ families, hoping to create a lasting educational initiative.
Yaakov Hershkovitz, father of one of the soldiers, explained the program aims to foster a generation focused on contributing to Israel, not just receiving from it. Liz David of the Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry stated the initiative will support at-risk young adults seeking integration into Israeli society and to honor the soldiers’ memory through values like camaraderie and responsibility. The program will join the Ma’ase Center’s existing network dedicated to preparing young Israelis for service and employment.
