The importance in Israeli society of service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is well known. Less well known are the voluntary alternatives to serving in the IDF through National Service.
This article presents an overview of the different forms that civic service
has taken in Israel, with the predominant form being the national youth service.
Martin Buber claimed: "Youth is the eternal chance for happiness of mankind, the chance for happiness that is offered ever anew and injured by it ever anew".