A ceremony to award the "President of the State 2015" medals of distinction was held at the President's residence.
At the ceremony, which symbolizes deep recognition and appreciation for the work of outstanding volunteers from all corners of Israeli society, the impressive presence of the Haredi civil-security service members, who demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and an extraordinary contribution to Israel's security and rescue agencies, particularly stood out.
The certificates of merit were presented to the volunteers by the Minister of Settlement and National Missions, Orit Struk, and the Director General of the National Civilian Service Authority, Reuven Pinsky.
The ceremony, which comes at the height of a challenging period for the State of Israel amid discussions on the issue of equal burden, emphasized the enormous importance of civil service as a critical pillar of national resilience. Ministers Struck and Pinsky praised the honorees for their spirit of volunteerism, determination, and uncompromising commitment to the public.
The President of the State said at the ceremony: "This moving status is a status in which we cherish and celebrate the outstanding men and women of the national civil service, and yet it is not a status that is taken for granted. Because this is a complex time for Israel and we look at you and say to ourselves, "We are blessed even in such difficult days. Volunteering is something that teaches you about yourself. In this spirit, your choice not only to do good for others, but also to excel and lead, is a beam of light in an extremely challenging reality and a stable lighthouse in a time when the sea is stormy."
Reuven Pinsky, Director General of the National-Civilian Service Authority, spoke at the ceremony: "In days when renewed signs of cracks are appearing in unity, the National Service stands proudly here by your side, Honorable President, and shows that it is possible otherwise. 40 million hours of giving, together, Jews and Druze, Arabs and Haredi, Bedouins and Christians, young people at risk and young people with disabilities. 40 million hours of kindness, of saving lives, of adding goodness, of joint action for the country and its citizens. The outstanding individuals acted in their service during a period of war above and beyond the requirements of the position and made a decisive contribution to the national resilience of the State of Israel."
Among the outstanding service members, the prominent presence of young Haredi men, who stood on stage at the President's House, was particularly moving. They were chosen to represent the thousands of Haredi members of the public who chose to serve in civilian service, many of them in security forces in a variety of vital tracks. The outstanding men serve loyally and devotedly in the Israel Police, the United Hatzalah, the Israel Prison Service, and the Israel Police.
Their diverse and complex roles include operational activities, emergency medical assistance, logistical and technological support, and they constitute a critical element in these formations.
Their selection to receive the President's Distinguished Service Award is an important testament to their extraordinary contribution to bridging gaps in Israeli society, and sanctifying the name of God in such important and sensitive places. "It is both a deep sense of mission and a great privilege to sanctify the name of God in such important places," said one of the honorees. The ceremony served as a vivid reminder that contribution to the state is expressed in many ways, and that the integration of all segments of Israeli society in public service is a strategic asset to the State of Israel.
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox service members currently serve with endless dedication in significant roles in the security forces, as well as in emergency and rescue services. They are privileged not only to make significant contributions, but also to acquire professional training that will serve them in their civilian lives.
"What stands before us is the sense of mission and the aspiration to sanctify the name of heaven with our actions," the service members say, emphasizing that the service is carried out while fully preserving their religious beliefs and lifestyle, and with the assistance and close supervision of the 'Chebrim' organization on behalf of the National-Civilian Service Authority.
Three Standouts: Three Inspiring Stories
In honor of Salute Week, we spoke with three exceptional service members who were selected to receive the President's Medal for their service. They serve in key positions in the Prison Service, United Hatzalah, and the Israel Police. Their personal stories are inspiring and testify to their dedication and commitment.
Yonatan Ivgi (24) from Jerusalem – chooses to save lives
Jonathan, an emergency medical technician with the "Ihud Hatzalah" organization, talks about a daily sense of mission. "You wake up in the morning and you know you're going to be saving lives. There's no greater feeling than that," he shares. His personal story reveals the dramatic moment that changed his life and led him down this path: When he was only ten years old, he experienced an unfortunate event in which his father suffered a severe allergic attack. In those moments of terror, as his father lay unresponsive, Jonathan decided to dedicate his life to saving the lives of others. With his father's miraculous awakening, Jonathan kept his promise. Upon being exposed to civilian service, he signed up for the organization and has been saving lives ever since, often for over 7 hours a day, riding in the emergency vehicle.
"The choice came from a feeling of serving the citizens and giving to others. It's a sense of mission and satisfaction like no other," declares Ivgi. He emphasizes that civil service is "the only place that allows you to both maintain a strict Haredi lifestyle and do civil service." Yonatan shares moving cases in which he saved lives, such as a four-month-old baby who was forgotten in a hot car and was saved thanks to his actions. "I'm very excited to be outstanding and it's a huge sense of satisfaction. Thank you for the privilege," he concludes with excitement.
Yedidia Trachtenberg from Jerusalem – The Protective Force at Israel's Borders
Another outstanding service member is Yedidia Trachtenberg, a resident of Jerusalem. Yedidia, who was educated in a yeshiva, entered the police force through the organization "Friends in Civil Service." He serves on the northern borders, and most of his actions are shrouded in secrecy. "It's an amazing feeling knowing that you are protecting the citizens of the country and part of this system," he says. Yedidia is full of gratitude and appreciation to the "Friends" organization for allowing him to reach this position. "It's a tremendous sense of satisfaction," he shares ahead of the Salute Week, "and at the same time, it's also a commitment to be the best and to sanctify the name of heaven wherever you are."
Shimon Chaim Croci – Serves in the IPS Technology Core
Shimon Chaim Krochi, a resident of the ultra-Orthodox Betar Illit, volunteers at the Prison Service (IPS) and does "holy work" in a senior position in the technology division. "The position is very challenging," he says. He also reached his important position thanks to the assistance of the "Hebrim" organization. "It is very difficult to reach such a position, and therefore it was only thanks to the training I received in the "Ma'alot" program that I was able to get where I did," he explains. Shimon Chaim emphasizes the significant advantage of the service: "This is the best way to do it because the organization takes care of your character and makes sure that you maintain the Haredi lifestyle at the highest level without asterisks. This was a great opportunity for me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart."
Mission and Faith – The Common Denominator
The most prominent common denominator for the three outstanding service members is their deep sense of mission, and gratitude to the civilian service and the "Chebrim" organization, which allowed them to integrate into these roles while fully maintaining their Haredi lifestyle without any compromise.
"The sense of mission and the faith that we dedicate to heaven is the greatest privilege in these positions," they convey a common message to the other outstanding individuals and to service members in general.
The stories of Yonatan, Yedidia, and Shimon Haim are moving testimony to the important contribution of members of the Haredi community to the State of Israel, and to the unique opportunity that civilian service provides them to combine the world of Torah, service to the community, and personal and professional development.
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