Yotam was determined to serve his country like other Israelis. But he faced an added challenge. Yotam has Asperger’s Syndrome, and many Israelis with disabilities are not drafted into the military — an important gateway to Israeli society.

Israel has traditionally offered a national civic service program for young adults who are exempt from national army service. But some young adults — particularly those at risk or with disabilities like Yotam — need extra support in order to fully participate. Without workplace counselors to offer direction and guidance, they won’t learn and grow during their civic service experience.

Now, thanks to the Opportunity Fund, which drew together major funders (including UJA), the national service program has counselors in place during the volunteer cycle. So this year, Yotam and 1,300 other young adults with disabilities were able to volunteer in civic service and develop their professional skills.

The Fund also enables young adults at risk and Arab citizens, who are also exempt from military service, to participate in the national service program.

Yotam volunteered at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, where he helped ensure that staff followed hygienic protocols to prevent the spread of infection, did data entry, and managed email correspondence.

Yotam’s counselor from the Israel Volunteer Association, one of eight organizations that helps provide the national volunteer service program, was an essential guide.

“He supported me and was very kind,” Yotam said. “I worked five days a week, seven hours a day. It gave me a lot of experience in how to work as an adult. It built up my self-esteem and I gained a lot of confidence.”

That newfound confidence drove Yotam to go to college after he completed his service. He currently attends Haifa University where he’s focused on music and multidisciplinary studies.

“My dream job is to become a music therapist, not just for people with disabilities, for whoever needs help,” Yotam said. “Music therapy can be helpful to anyone.”