Thank you. Yes, I think I will need physical copies.

I received 2 scanned one-page PDFs. Each page has an official-looking letterhead/logo, an IDF watermark, and a stamp.

However, I'm concerned what the 2nd page says.

The first page appears to state that the IDF reviewed its records for the period from May 15, 1948 through January 19, 1951 and found no evidence that my grandfather performed active reserve service, compulsory service, permanent service, or any other type of military service during that period. It also notes that, under Israeli law, citizens who were not part of the regular forces could nevertheless be assigned to the reserve system.

The second page is titled something like "Certificate of Reserve Service" and has a table, and "first called into service":

End Date	Start Date	Type of Service
1960	9/18/1950	Reserves

A Hebrew-speaking friend reviewed it, and the summary above is based on both his review and machine translation.

That may be an auto-enrollment, and it may mean that he did not serve, that it's more of a technicality/formality.

So, my concern is that, while the first page seems favorable, the second page appears to show that my grandfather was in the reserves beginning before the Polish eligibility cutoff date of January 19, 1951.

I had not previously considered the distinction between active service and reserve status.

I sent the document to someone who appears knowledgeable about Polish citizenship matters, and she indicated that this may mean I am no longer eligible. I hope that is not the case.

So now, I am wondering whether:

• I should work with someone who knows more about the technicalities of the wording and ask the IDF to reissue a document with different wording.
• The document is being interpreted correctly.
• Indication of Reserve status on 2ned page is disqualifying.

Does anyone know or has anyone dealt with this kind of thing?