Stories of Our Reservists: Law Student Nitzan Richman

Hello everyone, my name is Nitzan Richman. I am 27 years old and from Netanya. I enlisted in November 2015 to the Haruv Reconnaissance Unit. On January 27, 2017, my life changed. It was Thursday evening, and I was supposed to go home. My commander asked me to stay for another night and leave on Friday. I was upset but stayed. At 11:00 PM, my unit was called to a bus rollover event approximately 300 meters up the Ma'ale Levona mountain. It was a very rainy night, and when we arrived, we saw dozens of injured people scattered around the area covered in mud, making it difficult for us to reach the bus below. I managed to get under the bus to rescue the trapped people, but it was too late. Unfortunately, both of them died from the accident. In hindsight, I can say that my commander's decision to keep me another night saved my life. I was supposed to be on that bus.

After the event, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, but that didn't stop me from

enlisting for reserve duty on October 7, even though I wasn't obligated. I served for four months and then got injured. I underwent several surgeries on my spine and two months of intensive rehabilitation at the Fighters' House in Tel Aviv. Due to the injury and reserve duty, I had to leave my law studies. At the Fighters' House, I was first introduced to the "Tasting" Academic Course at Reichman University- a course that exposes participants to various professions through small meetings, in collaboration with the Fighters' House and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization.

The course, which lasted about two months and concluded two weeks ago, provided me with a fantastic framework. Wonderful lecturers gave fascinating lectures on new topics, such as "The Social Impact of Social Networks" by Dr. Tzachi Chait and "Recruiting and Operating Agents in Terrorist Targets" with Ezra Saar, which exposed me to the depth of the work of security agencies in the country.

The reserve duty and injury made me seriously consider stopping the studies I had started before the war. I can say with all my heart that thanks to the "Tasting" Academic Course, I gained the strength and desire to continue my law studies at the Harry Radyzner Law School and not give up on myself.

The course created by the university and the Fighters' House is an opportunity to move forward. I encourage anyone in a similar position to lift their head, continue learning, and stick to their path and goals.

All I have left to say is that when there is will and intention, every difficulty is just a step towards success!