“Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me, even then will I be confident.” (Psalms 27:3)
IDF Private Or Meidan was born in Uganda and moved to Israel in 2011. She began her university studies at Tel Aviv University, but after living through Operation Pillar of Defense last year, she decided to enlist in Israel’s Air Force.
Meidan, who is not Jewish, grew up in Uganda and later, Zimbabwe, and describes her childhood as happy and carefree. She moved to Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, near the Gaza border, along with her family, and enrolled in an anthropology program at TAU. Her new home, a mere five kilometers from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, was constantly bombarded by rocket fire. “I was shocked,” she said.
She credits the IAF with protecting her and her fellow citizens, and decided to enlist in the IDF in an effort to give back. “I feel like I’m protecting [Israel],” she told the Jerusalem Post in a recent interview. “I really like what I’m doing.” Her goal now: to become an officer in charge of an Iron Dome battery, part of Israel’s missile defense system instrumental in defending southern Israel from rocket attacks out of Gaza.
She began her army service with an Ulpan, or Hebrew language course, in Mikve Alon, a special basic-training program for new immigrants. Once her Hebrew improved, she was drafted into the Air Defense Force, ultimately joining a unit that operates the Iron Dome. Last week, she passed a physical combat test which included running 1.6 kilometers, climbing a rope and running through tires. She is now one step closer to her goal.
When she completes her army service, Meidan will return to her degree studies. She would also like to convert to Judaism. “I want to be Jewish, because they are really good people,” she explains. “I also want to feel like a part of the country itself.” She will participate in the Nativ program for IDF soldiers who wish to convert.
“I would really [like to] thank [the Israelis] for having accepted me to join the army and for giving me a really big opportunity to feel like part of the country myself,” she says.
