All you Need To Know about the Tekes - the army ceremony
Different types of Tekes
There are three main Tekesim/ceremonies
1. Hashba'a/Swearing In Tekes - takes place within two months of starting basic training.
2. Kumta/Beret Tekes - towards the end of basic training three-eight months from the start of the service.
3. Sof Maslul/End of Journey Tekes - about eight to fourteen months into the service.
What every Parent needs to know about a Tekes
- take a hat/sunscreen
- there is usually no shade on the parade ground and you can sit around in the blazing sun for long enough to get thoroughly burnt!
- in the winter dress warmly.
- go early and sit as near to the front as you can, but accept that you won't see a thing. As soon as it starts, a bunch of Israelis will rush to the front to get a better view/take good photos/get a better photo than anyone else and generally get in the way. You're going for the atmosphere and so that your daughter knows she has your support.
- if you get there early you might even see your son before it starts (MIGHT!)
- sign up for the dvd - they'll deliver to any address in Israel, it costs about £5 and you'll see everything perfectly!
- take bourekas/nash - the kids are hungry by the end (food is an important parental responsibility here - Israelis take massive BBQs, trunkloads of food!)