Tzahali was founded in 2006. As Israel’s first pre-military preparatory academy for religious
girls, it was and remains a pioneering institution. At the time, the religious public roundly
discouraged young women from enlisting in the army, and to this day, many high schools refrain
from preparing their female graduates for military service. Tzahali has successfully influenced
discourse in Israeli society, and today nearly 40% of female graduates from religious high
schools enlist in the IDF.
We have long been troubled by women’s under-representation around the table where
decisions are made in the army. To address this, Tzahali continuously works to promote the
leadership of women in this setting. We focus on the needs of religious women in the army and
the empowerment of religious female soldiers. Tzahali has had a significant impact, and today,
the army is better equipped to absorb female religious soldiers and address their needs.
Moreover, more women are seated at the table in positions of leadership, their voices are heard,
and they are leaning in.
Tzahali has grown significantly over the years, starting off with an initial group of 20 in the first
year. Today, Tzahali has 120 students a year divided into several groups, and we are planning
to expand further next year, increasing the number of students to 150.
Tzahali was founded by women, is led by women, and all our students are women. However,
our goal is full integration into society, with the path toward this paved by service in the IDF.
Tzahali proudly raises its voice among the religious community, unequivocal in its belief that
women should have the opportunity to enlist and serve as equals in all branches of the IDF.
Tzahali has played a leading role in the integration of women in the IDF and fostered a change
of consciousness among the religious Zionist community regarding women's leadership.
Thousands of our graduates serve in a variety of public positions, expanding Tzahali’s impact
every day. Each one serves as a role model to younger women, inspiring them to perform
military service, and each is a shining example of the benefits to all of expanding religious
women’s role in society.
Tzahali’s approach is designed to address the under-representation of women in general, and
religious women in particular, in leadership positions in the army. But we also focus on continual
incremental social change, with the aim of creating lasting change and addressing the basic
obstacles preventing the full participation of women and girls in society.
Over the last 17 years, with an educational model and philosophy that supports religious
women’s efforts to find their place and belonging in the broader society, Tzahali has created a
new reality for religious young women. Tzahali has enabled religious young women to realize
their dream of serving in the IDF as equals among their peers. Our year-long program supports
their transition from high school towards meaningful military service. It is an enriching year of
personal growth, empowerment, encounters with Israeli society, and learning, after which they
are stronger, mentally, and physically, ready to assume leadership positions in the army.
We are proud of the community we have built at Tzahali and our ability to be an engine of
change, promoting women’s leadership in the IDF and beyond. But this is in jeopardy today.
Equality, particularly for religious women in the public sphere is now in danger, given the many
political challenges Israel is faced with. Key positions are now held by some who would thwart,
rather than support, our efforts to advance women’s leadership and continue to ensure that
young religious women have a place in the IDF.