My HABAYTA story 

Nechuma
Ulpan 103, IDF lone soldier from Connecticut, USA

Hi! My name is Nechuma , I’m 21 years old and I made Aliyah August 29, 2019.
       When I first arrived to the kibbutz I was shocked at how beautiful and spacious the place appeared, and after a long 12 hour flight walking into Habayta was certainly a pleasant surprise. I had no idea what my next home for the near future would look like – but suffice it to say I was more than satisfied

      I started the Ulpan program a week after arriving and was excited to learn as much as I could about a difficult language. Throughout the 6 months in Ulpan I learned a lot, not just inside the classroom but also within the friendships around me. Being on the kibbutz and around so many people who are different from you makes everything more adventurous, you have several opportunities to make friends for life and connections you would never imagine were possible. We went on trips around Israel to present to us the culture of our new world, our Madrichot were always there to listen and help whenever we needed, the food was a 10/10 and we were introduced to lone soldiers that also live in Habayta to help us understand their experience from a more personal level
   As a lone soldier I was paired up with a host family from the kibbutz, my host family has made living away from home feel as if this is my home. It’s really thanks to them that I feel as comfortable as I do. 
    I’ve now been on the Kibbutz for a year and I’m so happy that this is where I ended up, first as an Ulpanist and now as a soldier - it’s truly been a fun ride
! I’m excited to see what comes next 

IDF lone soldier, Paratroopers Brigade

After living on the beautiful campus “Habayta” on Sde Eliyahu for two years as a lone soldier, I can attest with fullest conviction to the wonderful experience it has been throughout every step of the journey. Upon returning from an arduous week in the army filled with intensive training and devoid of sleep, I knew I had a relaxing weekend waiting on the other end. The rooms are of highest caliber, and the amenities are of star quality. A decorative lounge, billiard table, piano- these are some of the elements that add to the overall experience which the campus provides. I personally loved playing on the ping pong table, though very few were skillful enough to win against me. I must mention how congenial the staff is, and what a friendly group of young soldiers and “ulpanistim” that lives here alongside one another. It is quite distant from most bases, which means longer travel times. All things considered, this a fantastic place for someone looking to come home to a peaceful and warm atmosphere.

Yossie Ulpan 104

Lonely religious soldiers who came from abroad to serve in Israel are integrated on the home campus together with the young people studying in the studio and along with Garin Zabar. The soldiers receive personal accompaniment, an adoptive family and everything the campus offers, a spacious club with dairy and meat kitchen, large TV, piano Pingpongg Library and various games.The soldiers have a laundry room, a gym, a barbecue area and a large terrace.The home campus is located inside Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in the Springs Valley.The religious atmosphere in the kibbutz, which includes 3 prayers a day in a synagogue, allows observant soldiers to enter the Torah and Avodah community. Released including female soldiers. Lone soldiers who have been discharged from service in the IDF and are looking for a place that could provide an answer to the beginning of their integration into civilian life - the home campus will receive them for the first year after discharge. In the kibbutz and its surroundings, you can find employment that is recognized as a preferred job.