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The Secret to Israel's Success Is a Sense of Service and Belonging

(New York Post) Dan Senor and Saul Singer - In the Oct. 7 war, Israel has a secret weapon: the spectacular solidarity of its people. The roots of this societal resilience are the product of a culture of service unique in the West, a culture that carefully nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose. Everyone is doing their part, embracing the families of the killed, wounded, kidnapped and evacuated. In most meritocracies, the criterion to reach the pinnacle of merit is individual academic excellence. In Israel, the most meritorious are those who seek and are chosen for the most challenging military service. This changes everything. It means merit is determined by something that is not about you, but about how you can contribute to your society and country. Soldiers must be willing to sacrifice everything for something larger than themselves. A society that selects for service changes what young people aspire to as they grow up and how they structure their lives throughout adulthood. The IDF values many traits and talents, such as high motivation, problem-solving skills, determination, the ability to self-criticize, and a capacity to work in teams. There are many stories of young people who were given challenges and responsibilities that they could never have imagined. Humans need to be part of something larger than themselves. Israel has perfected the art of making people feel part of a larger whole, and that they are needed to play their part. The writers are the authors of Start-up Nation (2011) and The Genius of Israel (2023).
2023-11-10 00:00:00
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