Life as an Anglo Immigrant IDF Reservist.

Army reserve duty cuts into their jobs and studies, but Anglo immigrants take a stoic attitude

Steve Israel lives in dread of being called up for reserve duty in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at a time that clashes with his work.

He is a free-lance Jewish educator, and his

Israel's reserve duty (he serves in a medical unit) can mean leaving his wife alone with their four young sons for a two-week period. According to current regulations, Israel will continue to serve in his unit until the age of 51.

Although Israel, a former Londoner, describes his reserve duty as an "inconvenience," he is "not complaining," particularly when he compares himself to friends who serve more frequently or spend longer periods away from home. "We manage. We accept it as part of the price of living in Israel."

Making a real contribution is important to the Anglos interviewed by Anglo File. David Feuerstein, originally from Los Angeles, says his nine years as a combat medic contributed to his absorption into Israeli society and left him with some great friends. But as "someone who likes to be productive," he is often frustrated during his reserve duty, "sitting doing nothing" and is in the process of requesting a switch to the IDF Spokesman's Office, where he feels he will be "more useful" to the country.

Efrat resident and member of the Hagmar unit, which patrols the Gush Etzion area, David Kiel says he feels a duty and a "social pressure" to continue serving in the reserves, though many in his position - he is 44 and has six children - do not.

"It's a little different when you're serving in a unit composed of your friends and neighbors. Why should my neighbor do it instead of me, when he is in the same predicament?"

Living in a community with many immigrants who arrived in Israel when they were past army age, American-born Kiel said he "doesn't hold it against them," but described the situation as "unfair."