"There are many new roads to higher education in Israel
today, but not everyone—especially kids from Israel’s
periphery and disadvantaged communities—can make it in
the classroom. Higher education requires considerable
talent and money. Motivated, talented kids without financial
resources have almost no chance of making it. A tragic
waste of potential that none of us can afford!”

— Eitan Wertheimer, Chairman, ISCAR Corporation, Israeli philanthropist and Chair of Friends of ATIDIM



ATIDIM's proven track record >
ATID is the Hebrew word for future. And ATIDIM (futures) is the name of a breakthrough project designed to build a better, stronger Israel by enabling capable and talented young people from underprivileged communities to acquire higher education in order to share in Israel’s growth. Originated as a groundbreaking idea in January 2000 through the Israel Defense Forces, ATIDIM has since become one of Israel’s most valuable educational and social initiatives.

The Israel Defense Forces Academic Reserves is a longtime source of highly educated and motivated IDF officers. Prior to being inducted as officers in the IDF, Academic Reserve candidates are permitted to defer military service to study specific majors in the exact sciences at universities. This enables graduates to enter the IDF with degrees in law, medicine or scientific research, grooming them for a lifetime of personal and professional success. In addition to giving Israel’s military an essential edge, former IDF officers hold prominent leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

When it started, just one percent of the Academic Reserves came from Israel’s disadvantaged communities; In just four short years, ATIDIM students representing Israel’s most disadvantaged areas have come to comprise nearly 40 percent of the IDF Academic Reserves—a spectacular achievement.

The ATIDIM program overcomes the three primarily obstacles to achievement plaguing disadvantaged students: marginalization resulting in low self-confidence; unequal science education opportunities compared with more affluent peers; and lack of funds for educational enrichment needs.

What makes ATIDIM so effective?
Part of what makes ATIDIM so successful is its individualized approach. It invests resources in young people over their total growth trajectory: from junior high through high school, to university, to distinguished military service, and ultimately to their emergence as leaders in industry and public service. The program enables participants to obtain bachelor’s degrees from Israel’s most esteemed institutions of higher learning and attain their full potential.

The special enrichment curriculum, beginning in junior high school, prepares the students to excel academically and in life:

	The advanced science studies greatly improve qualifications for higher education and strengthen students’ ability to perform well on the highly competitive university entrance exams.
	High-level intervention—both during and after school—boosts students’ self esteem and gives them confidence in their own capabilities.
	Prior to taking the bagruyot exams for university, students receive financial assistance to participate in an intensive preparatory course.
	Students benefit from greater exposure to both higher education environments and high-tech industries

UJC Overseas Supplemental Giving/IEF