Students on the Border Between the Battlefield and the Campus
With Bar-Ilan University's unwavering support, reservists continue their studies while defending the country for the second consecutive year
For Ophir Aharoni, a 25-year-old combat officer in the Armored Corps, the past year has been a continuous cycle of transitions between the battlefield and the classroom. With 215 days of reserve duty under her belt, including recent combat operations in Lebanon and Gaza, she's learning that the second year of juggling military service and academics poses unique challenges.
"This year is harder than the last," admits Ophir, who's pursuing a dual degree in Mathematics with Data Science and Economics. "Last year was my first at the university; I didn't know what I was missing. Now, with the war continuing alongside civilian life, there's a feeling that everything is moving forward without us," she says.
Despite these challenges, Ophir has found solid ground through Bar-Ilan University's comprehensive support system. The university's Academic Armor program provides a variety of accommodations, from recorded lectures to extended exam periods, helping students like Ophir maintain their academic standing while serving their country.
“I feel that the faculty is 100% behind me, that everyone sees me, knows who I am, and are as eager for me to succeed as I am.”
For Amit Baruch, a 26-year-old infantry officer commanding 30 soldiers in the Paratroopers Brigade, the balancing act has meant serving approximately 230 days since October 7th while pursuing a dual degree in Law and Economics. His service began in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, evacuating wounded civilians before engaging in combat in Gaza, followed by deployments to the northern border.
"Without the academic support framework, I would have had to repeat my second year," Amit states frankly. Despite missing most of his first semester and taking exams while in uniform during the second semester, he maintained his academic achievements. His advice to fellow reservists reflects both practical wisdom and personal experience: "With a strong work ethic and support from friends and faculty, everything is manageable."
Ron Shalev brings a unique perspective as both a reservist and a survivor of October 7th. The 26-year-old Data Engineering student from Ein HaBesor, evacuated from her home near Gaza, has served over 150 days as a logistics officer in Lebanon while continuing her studies. "It's difficult to evaluate success when you've had to serve so many reserve days at the expense of studies and experience the harsh realities of this war," she reflects.
The challenges these student-soldiers face extend beyond academic performance. As Ron explains, "Sometimes the difficulty lies in the lost time and the harsh transitions between reserve duty and studies." Yet she, like her fellow reservists, has found ways to break down these challenges into manageable pieces, tackling them one day at a time.
The university's support extends beyond academic accommodations, offering psychological counselling, emergency hotlines, and various other support services now consolidated under the HMANIA center. For students like Ophir, this comprehensive support makes a crucial difference. "The biggest obstacle for reservists is the mental and emotional burden," she shares. "The university doesn't just help with grades – they help with the human aspect, too."
As these students continue to balance their dual responsibilities, their stories reflect personal resilience and the broader reality of Israeli society during wartime. Ron concludes with a hope that resonates beyond campus walls: "I wish for all the hostages to return home." It's a reminder that even as these students pursue their academic dreams, their thoughts remain with those still in captivity.
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