05/18/2016
From At-Risk Youth to IDF Officer
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Meet Alex
Born into an ultra-Orthodox family in Israel, Alex left home when she was 12 because she had been abused by her father. He was put behind bars and she was placed in an institution for at-risk youth, a place she feared would limit her chances to succeed. But she did.
At 18, Alex decided to join the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Through a Federation-supported program, Hagam, designed to help at-risk young women succeed in the army, Alex learned to cope with her past, manage her emotions, and believe in herself. She did everything she could to push herself and be the best at what she did. In just months, she turned her life around.
Today, at 21, Alex is an officer in IDF and a Hagam commander, inspiring other at-risk youth to improve themselves and become successful.
“When I see soldiers struggling with life issues, I tell them I’ve been there and encourage them to keep going,” said Alex. “I am thankful to the Federation and all the people who have helped me get here. Because of you, I am now able to help many others who’ve had a hard life like me. Todah!”
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