3 Darca Alumni awarded with Prestigious Presidential Honor

3 Darca Alumni recently awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Excellence for soldiers and officers

Almog Braunstein former student at Shitim Darca school in the Arava Tichona, Mai Svarnsky former student from Geon HaYarden Darca school in the Valley of Springs and Fanta Trafa, former student from Hammer Darca High School in Bat Yam, were chosen to join the elite group of 121 Medal of Excellence recipients. In order to be a candidate for the Presidential Medal of Excellence award, soldiers must meet several criteria such as; Demonstrated excellence in fulfilling their role with exemplary behavior, setting a strong example for the other soldiers in the unit and performing their duties and tasks at a level which is above and beyond the ask.
The traditional awarding of the Medal of Excellence to IDF soldiers and officers, took place at the home of President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem on May 2nd. Attending the ceremony were Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot.


Staff Sergeant, Almog Braunstein is 21 years old, from Moshavldan in Southern Israel and is serving in the 188th unit in the Armored Corps

Staff Sergeant Mai Svarnsky is 21 years old from Kibutz Sde Naum in the Valley of Springs. She serves as an instructor at the Combat Engineering
Corps, a position she hoped to receive. “It’s a privilege to know that I teach the soldiers, at the beginning of their careers,” she says.


Staff Sergeant Fanta Trafa, 21 years old from Bat-joined the Paratroopers Brigade and went on a squad commanders course.

The Youth Renewal Fund is extremely proud of these alumni for their service, leadership and example.