Mahal is geared towards young Jews, ages 18 to 23, from all over the world who seek to voluntarily serve in the IDF. It is designed to accommodate those without Israeli citizenship and whose parents were never Israeli citizens. The program is an administrative gate through which non-Israelis and overseas Israelis enlist. The minimum service time is usually shorter than the regular IDF paths. 

In addition, similar IDF paths serve Israeli citizens that moved abroad from Israel and want to return for their army service.

The Mahal and similar paths include generally 18 months of service (14 months if no army ulpan required).

The Mahal Nahal Haredi program is for non-Israeli, religious (haredi) Jewish men younger than 24. The program consists generally of 14 - 18 months of service (depending on level of Hebrew) in a separate Haredi Infantry combat unit.‏

The Mahal Hesder program is for non-Israeli, religious Jewish men younger than 24. The program consists of 6 1/2 months of studies in a Yeshivat Hesder (IDF Rabbinical College) followed by at least 14 months of IDF service, in total 20 1/2 months.‏

Eligibility (cumulative):

• Young non-Israelis (including tourists, students, volunteers, etc. in Israel) and young Israeli overseas residents, who have one of the following criterias: Jewish, one of your parents is Jewish, one of your grandparents is Jewish, you are the spouse of one of the aforementioned, overseas Israelis and their children residing abroad before their 11th date of birth
• Men: age 18 - 23 / Women: age 18 - 20 / physicians 35 incl.
• Hebrew and non-Hebrew speakers

Duration:

• 14 months min. active IDF service(or 18 months min. including 3 months free IDF Hebrew studies, if  lacking command of Hebrew)
• Prolongation of the minimum service time possible for unlimited periods
• Add about 2 months for signing up procedures in Israel before enlistment
• Enlistment Dates: Multiple over the year

For more information, go to Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org