Breaking Barriers: "I Want to Contribute and Help Everyone Around Me"

This week, as two more apartments were inaugurated in Shalva's community living program, a notably cheerful security officer was present. No, he wasn't there to enforce order—he's actually one of the residents. Meet Roi Bat, a graduate of Shalva's 'Rising Through the Ranks' soldier program. After completing a significant three-year service, he chose to enlist in the regular service of a special police unit.

Working, Cooking, and Cleaning

Roi is nearly twenty-five and has worked in various fields. Yet, as soon as he heard about Shalva's program, he decided to join and volunteered for a full three-year service. About a year ago, he was discharged and recently re-enlisted in a regular service role. Additionally, he is part of Shalva's community housing residents.

The resident lineup is quite unique. Half of those living in one apartment are graduates of Shalva's 'Rising Through the Ranks' program, having completed significant three-year service, even participating in the Iron Sword Campaign. These graduates served in the special police unit at the operational control headquarters in the Jerusalem area, the 8200 Intelligence Unit, Central Command, and more. The other half of the residents in the second apartment are currently enlisting in the IDF as part of the 'Rising Through the Ranks' program and will serve in various significant roles like regular soldiers.

"It was clear to me that I wanted to be in regular service," Roi explains his choice to continue in the military after completing his service. "I want to contribute to the country because it's important, especially nowadays."

What does this demand from you? What does your daily routine look like?

"On days when I have a morning shift, I wake up at five and head to the base, pray, and start a shift that ends at four-thirty in the afternoon. Then I return to Shalva's apartment. But there are days when I have an afternoon shift, in which case I stay overnight at the base since the shift ends late. Sometimes there are night shifts, so I need to catch up on sleep during the day, but I'm flexible with it. Some find it hard, but for me, everything settles joyfully."

When you return to your apartment, can you rest a bit?

"Not at all. I'm in the apartment with four other guys, and we have a scheduled rotation of chores. The rotation changes monthly, with a different person cooking and preparing lunch each day, and then we all tidy up the apartment and divide the cleaning tasks amongst ourselves."

He pauses for a moment. "Trust me, we're never short on food," he emphasizes. "I can cook anything—meat, schnitzels, Shepherd's pie."

Do you also make food for Shabbat?

"We stay in the apartment every other Shabbat. On those weekends, the other residents and I cook most of the meals and do a thorough cleaning in honor of Shabbat. On Shabbat itself, we go to the synagogue and attend study sessions; we're really part of the community. On other weekends, I travel home to see my parents, who live far away, and it's a chance to visit them."

"Thanking the Good Lord Above"

Do you find time for hobbies in your busy schedule?

"Of course, I love chatting with friends and playing basketball. For a long time, I participated as a player in Shalva's joint program with Hapoel Jerusalem. Now I have less time to play, but I still help out with the training and enjoy it a lot."

Do you get enough sleep?

"I usually go to sleep around ten or eleven, and as I mentioned before, I wake up at five in the morning, so that's when the day begins."

Let's be honest: Are there times when you find it difficult?

"No, it's never hard for me, and if something doesn't work out, I remind myself that 'hard' is only in bread, and in the heart, it's always easy."

How about Chanukah—do you have any special plans?

"Absolutely. On the first night of Chanukah, we're planning to come to Shalva to host a fun day for the kids in collaboration with the special police unit. We'll bring vehicles and set them up for display. I'm in charge of organizing everything, and I even initiated the idea. It came about because I noticed the kids at Shalva are so interested in my uniform and want to know what I do, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for them."

In conclusion, Roi wishes to express, "I want to thank my dear parents for everything, and also thank the Good Lord Above for all the good things He constantly gives me."

Photos courtesy of the special police unit and Shalva