A new residential facility for lone soldiers opened Tuesday at the Hannaton Educational Center in the Galilee, providing the first pluralistic housing option for young Jewish immigrants serving in the IDF.
The facility welcomed its inaugural cohort of approximately 30 young men and women from North America who arrived through the Garin Tzabar program of the Israeli Scouts Movement. For the first time in Israel, lone soldiers will share a campus with Israeli peers participating in Hannaton's pre-army leadership academy.
"For them, this is a conscious choice—to become an inseparable part of the Jewish people's social and historical fabric," said Rabbi Yoav Ende, head of the Hannaton Educational Center. "With us, they will not be alone."
The project, launched in partnership with Keren Kayemet LeYisrael (KKL-JNF), JNF USA, and other partners, addresses a gap in existing options. Previously, lone soldiers had to choose between placement in fully secular or religious kibbutzim, often creating tension with their diverse backgrounds.
Ariana, 23, from Chicago, said the pluralistic environment attracted her to Hannaton. "I wanted to be part of a community that honors Shabbat, while also enabling me to take an active leadership role in an egalitarian minyan," she explained.
Ilan, 22, from Philadelphia, cited campus antisemitism as motivation for his move. "Life at an American university showed me the true cost of being Jewish," he said. "I wanted to come to Israel, to be in a place where I could feel free to truly be myself."
Adopted by local families
The facility was funded through a crowdfunding campaign that raised approximately 800,000 NIS from over 1,000 private donors. Residents will be adopted by local families and integrated into the broader community while receiving emotional and social support throughout their military service.