Joining the IDF at an important time

Witty dressed in her IDF uniform that includes a skirt.

Witty at the finish of the Jerusalem marathon, three weeks after basic training and two days before starting [regular army service] in the army.

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I first met Tzipporah Witty (“Witty” as she’s commonly known), several years ago when she was looking for a Shabbat meal. I hosted her after a mutual friend put us in touch. We’ve been friends ever since.

The second of seven children, born in New Jersey, she and her family eventually ended up in Canada when she was 12. She left high school early since she qualified for the early admissions program at Yeshiva University – Stern College for Women. She spent one year there studying computer science before going to seminary at Kibbutz Migdal Oz.

After one and a half years there, she continued (and completed) her Computer Science studies at Bar Ilan University. Around this time, she officially made aliyah (became an Israeli citizen). She started as a software developer and has worked at several companies throughout the years.

Witty's interests are varied. She has juggled full-time jobs with other activities, including, but not limited to, being a volunteer police officer and studying Jiu Jitsu and Judo at the same time. She has run six marathons, and, around 2021, she added triathlons (swimming, biking and running). Since then, she has completed four half iron (wo)man triathlons. It’s worth mentioning that she wore the special athletic skirts that reflect the dress style of many observant Jewish women while undertaking these feats.

Starting after the horrific day of Oct. 7, 2023, the army utilized a pre-existing program that allowed those who had previously not served and were considered past the normal age-range for enlistment (i.e. generally ranging from a minimum of 18-years-old to on average no older than early/mid-20s), to enlist.

Many joined at the beginning of the war. While the program originally targeted men, Witty was among the first group of women to enlist as part of a pilot program. She joined in early 2024 when she was 32-years-old, and she is now 33.

Reasons that these people, both the men and women, had previously never served in the IDF vary. Some did not join because it is not obligatory for some Haredi and/or other types of observant men and women. Some were considered too old by the time they made aliyah. Others did some other form of (non-military) national service. While the men who were drafted were assigned duties either related to their professions or the army’s needs at the time, women such as Witty were picked for this draft by profession; mostly healthcare, social work or technology. For Witty, it was the latter.

Among the women with whom Witty was drafted, the age range was approximately 25-48. At least 10-20% of the women were mothers who video-called their kids during their basic training.

Like the others, Witty spent three weeks in basic (non-combat) training. Just as she did with her triathlon training, Witty did her basic military training (and now her current service) in a military uniform that has a skirt instead of pants.

As an incentive to help encourage people to put their jobs on hold and join (or continue) reserve duty in the IDF during this time, soldiers such as Witty receive the same salary as they did in their last three months of civilian employment. According to Israeli law, no one can lose their job due to military/reserve duty service. Witty’s civilian company has been very supportive and encouraging. They put this into practice by sending her gifts and making sure she knows that they miss her but support her.

Following her basic training, Witty was assigned to a unit working on PR software. After a few months, she was recruited to a team that was formed to work on new software for logistics teams supporting intelligence and other non-combat teams. She is currently the head of the development team on this project. At the time of writing this article, the first version of the software is due to be deployed in late November.

Despite her army service, Witty has not slowed down one bit. She gets to her base early in order to get in a run. With special permission, she has continued her volunteer police officer service on some weekends. And she still goes to Judo practice.

There are a lot of things to admire about a person like Witty. She never makes excuses not to find places for all the things she wants as part of her life, such as her fitness activities. Not even the army has stopped her. She is one of an ever-growing number of Israelis who are going above and beyond all expectations, and who have put their normal lives on hold to serve Israel and help the Jewish people as best they can.

DANIEL STIEGLITZ (dstieglitz@gmail.com), originally from Rhode Island, immigrated to Israel in 2007 and currently lives in Jerusalem. His collection of short stories, “Tavern of the Mind,” is available for paperback and Kindle purchase on Amazon. www.amzn.to/2Izssrz.