Every year, thousands of young men and women put on an IDF uniform without having parents waiting for them at home in Israel, and the Lone Soldier Center in the IDF exists to fill that gap, a representative from the center told The Jerusalem Post.
The representative, R., explained that there are around 8,000 lone soldiers in Israel, referring to soldiers who serve without family in the country to support their emotional, financial, and practical needs. Many are new immigrants, while others are orphaned or estranged from their families.
R. said that while there is a desire to support every soldier in the IDF, there is a particular commitment to those who join the military despite having no legal obligation to do so, motivated solely by their love for the state and their desire to help keep it safe.
“Olim (immigrant) soldiers who come from abroad to Israel do it purely out of a sense of Zionism and because they really want to take part in helping Israel and helping the IDF,” she said. “I’ve seen it throughout the years, but since October 7, we’ve seen a huge increase in volunteering, with soldiers who really want to do impactful things and are doing impactful things.”
That desire to help has largely materialized with the center’s support. R. explained that the center’s army social workers answer up to 10,000 calls a month from lone soldiers, including those who have not yet joined the service.
'Every moment worth it'
Though a lot of time and resources are dedicated to supporting these soldiers, whether through housing, a financial allowance, or mental health support, R. made it apparent she felt every moment was worth it as the lone soldiers provided more than just their immediate service.
“I can see that they bring so much power to our people. We see it. I think that all of these soldiers who are serving with lone soldiers get so much inspiration from them, because this is truly Zionism. This is truly about helping our people. I think the IDF gets so much inspiration from them, and also the entire Israeli nation,” she highlighted.
“We’ve seen this through what we do at the Lone Soldier Center in the IDF. We hold honoring events specifically for lone soldiers, and we see the amount of love they receive. The people of Israel love lone soldiers; they want to give them the honor they deserve.”
That love has materialized in opportunities to receive IDF housing or housing allowances, additional support navigating bureaucracy, medical care, and other IDF-related needs, as well as support programs for when they are ready to leave service and adjust to civilian life in a country that, for some, is still very new.
The support does not end when they conclude their service. Before leaving the IDF, lone soldiers receive training on how to navigate job interviews, access the benefits they have earned through their service, and approach Israel’s complex housing market.
Lone Soldiers can also receive financial housing support for a year after completing their service, or stay for three months in IDF housing without worrying about rent, food, or bills, allowing them to transition into civilian life at a slower pace.
Lone soldiers also continue to receive calls and guidance after their service ends, ensuring they never feel alone.
ONE LONE SOLDIER still receiving that support is E., a 29-year-old American Oleh who is serving despite at the time being nearly a decade older than the majority of those entering the military.
The West Coast surfer girl enlisted after finishing a master’s degree, feeling like she wanted to do more for her new home. She arrived only months before October 7 and was inspired by those willing to risk their lives for the people of Israel.
During her program, she organized barbecues and events for soldiers, but it wasn’t enough for her, so she took the jump to become a combat soldier and now serves in the West Bank.
“I really wanted the most meaningful service that I could have. I wanted to go all the way, really be Israeli, and do something that would truly defend the country. I wanted to do something where I could wake up every day and know that I was defending the country,” she explained.
'Having someone to help you ... That was a really wonderful thing'
As the first generation of her family to make aliyah and enlist in the IDF, E.’s support network in Israel is limited to her sister. She has largely relied on the center to fill the gaps that her family would have filled had they been in the country.
“I would say the biggest help I received so far was when I injured my back really badly during training. My Company Commander made sure I received the medical care I needed, that I could leave base every week for physical therapy, and that I was ultimately able to finish.
“Without her, I would not have been able to be here at all. I probably would have had to drop out,” she shared. “Having someone to help you through that is amazing because you’re in a new country, and you don’t know how to deal with a major injury on your own. Even if I was outside the Army, navigating the healthcare system and everything else would be different. That was a really wonderful thing.”
Outside of the center, she has also found an incredibly understanding and supportive environment in the military. E. said she received an additional day of leave every month she was in training for running errands and is now given a month off every year to go see her family.
There is also never a shortage of invitations from those in her unit, who are happy to host her for Shabbat and ensure she feels integrated within the community. “We’re lone soldiers, but we’re not lonely; everybody here wants to make sure that you’re okay and you’re helped,” she explained.
Her commanders have also been understanding of the unique position she is in.
Unused to the reality of having a child or grandchild in the military, especially one on the other side of the world, E.’s family worry for her safety. She shared that on one occasion, after her unit lost phone privileges, she was still allowed to make a call home to her grandmother in the States, who would have worried had E. not been allowed to keep her promise to call.
Speaking on the more difficult reality that many soldiers do pay the ultimate sacrifice for their country and are killed during their service, E. explained how recent deaths in the lone soldier community had impacted her and those around her.
“It is scary. You know, we enter Area A, and we deal with people who break through the border. When you’re in the moment, you don’t think about it, but sometimes you have this moment where you go, ‘This is real. This is real life, and this is not normal,’” she described.
“I never would have expected this for myself when I lived in LA, and I was the surfer girl. So it is scary, and I think it is also difficult as a lone soldier when you think about these things. I know Ben Weiss recently passed away, and he did the same army training that I did. I didn’t personally know him, but a lot of my friends did, and you see how much that really affects the lone soldier community.”
When tragedy does strike, E. explained that the community comes together to mourn collectively and preserve the memory of those who have fallen. While the center helps connect soldiers and families with psychological support, the shared process of grieving as a community can also provide a vital source of strength and comfort, helping the soldiers navigate loss together.