Ha'aguda Lema'an Hachayal- the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS), is a non-profit organization that was established in 1942 by Israel's founding
prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. The Association's purpose is the same today as it was in Ben-Gurion's time, to give serving soldiers the support and wellbeing extras
that the army itself could not afford to provide, and to demonstrate in practical ways
our gratitude for their service to the nation.
Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces are there to guard and defend the homeland of the Jewish people. Many of them make huge sacrifices in the carrying out of their
National duty. Our organization provides a link between individual civilians,
organizations, and corporate bodies that care about the wellbeing and comforts that
can be provided to ease the lot of the serving soldier, and, in time of need, his family.
AWIS is well respected in Israel for the diverse activities its' dedicated workers and
volunteers carry out for the wellbeing of every soldier. The individual soldier benefits
from AWIS programs and projects from his, or her, first day of national service until
re-entering civilian life, then through reserve duty, whenever he or she is called upon.
It provides each individual soldier with the sense that someone cares for them and is
trying to ease the burden of what is their national duty.
AWIS can be found in every corner of the state of Israel. The main headquarters is in
Tel Aviv. There are three regional offices in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beer Sheba.
Throughout the country are eighty branches so that every army base and installation
has a representative of our organization nearby.
Our commitment to our soldiers is shared by staunch supporters of the IDF from
abroad, who are pivotal in providing the means to demonstrate that they, and we, care
about the wellbeing of all our soldiers.
Today, Israel is a thriving modern state with an impressive record of achievements in
many spheres. However, the threat to its continued existence has not abated to this
day, ever since the first settlers came to work on the land in the late nineteenth
century. They came to recreate an independent Jewish state and a homeland for the
Jewish people. The army is integral in the maintenance of a viable state.
It is the moral duty of everyone who wants to see the continued existence and future
development of the Jewish homeland to support the soldiers of the IDF and show
them that we are with them in mind and spirit and want to do our utmost to identify
with them in their national duty to defend the state. In practical terms, to donate
towards any project that will ease the burden and provide a relief from their onerous
responsibilities during their service to the nation.