CBI Blogs

Since fall of 2017, when we dropped Jacob off at O’Hare airport in Chicago and handed his immediate care over to the State of Israel, many people have asked me “how do you do it?” “Don’t you miss him?” “Will he go to college here, in America, when he comes home?”

And then, after a family visit to Israel in December of 2018, Rebekah, our youngest, made the same choice - attend high school in Israel through Naale at the Mosenson campus in Hod HaSharon, causing many to ask the same questions.

As a parent, I have been in awe of the pride that I feel when my kids make big, hard, choices like going to High School in Israel, for themselves. While, of course, it is hard on some level when our children venture out of our homes, my feeling of respect and excitement for them as they choose these adventures overwhelms any feelings of sadness.

Additionally, we have been blessed by an incredible community of Israeli’s who stepped up in the very beginning and continue to provide support since their arrival in the country. When they were in school the shinshin (counselors who choose a gap year in between finishing high school and beginning their army service), counselors who over saw all their needs including their mental well-being and physical health, dorm parents, and then their teachers. The cherry on top of all these care givers is our host family, Inbal and Nikki Levy with their remarkable 5 sons.

Jacob graduated high school in June 2020. Just three months into the pandemic. Nobody traveled to attend his graduations – both from the high school and from the boarding school itself. We couldn’t fly over to help him find an apartment, shop for all the stuff he needed for the army or drop him off on his draft day.

Fortunately, in Hod HaSharon, there is a helpful man named Ofer Salomon who is the head of a Lone Solider support organization called “Soldiers of Gold”. With Ofer’s help Jacob and his three roommates negotiated an apartment in the city center with easy access to public transit as all four of them served at different bases during their time in the IDF. Soldiers are not allowed to drive themselves to base so, being close to good public transit is critical. Ofer also shares all his connections to help with setting up a bank account, getting a first job, how to pay rent, utilities, etc. He has also communicated with several businesses in town so, if one of his Lone Soldiers presents their Soldiers of Gold card they can get a free coffee, maybe a pastry, or a discount on goods purchased. Rebekah chose to connect with Soldiers of Gold when she was coming to the end of grade 12 this past year so she, too, receives all these benefits including her apartment with three roommates.

When we think of Lone Soldiers, I believe many of us think of those who, like my children, have chosen to leave their families in one country and set up a life for themselves in Israel. In Jacob’s apartment, this is true. One from Germany, two from America, and one from Turkey. But, in Rebekah’s apartment this is only true for her. The other three girls she lives with are all Israeli’s who, for all the complicated reasons, are not connected to their parents in Israel.

This past Sunday evening, as the temperatures continued to fall here in Central Texas, I attended a presentation at Congregation Tiferet Israel, the Orthodox synagogue located on the Dell Campus, given by another Lone Soldier organization Ach Gadol (meaning Big Brother). As was written on the Tiferet Israel website:

“Ach Gadol focuses on supporting Lone Soldiers during their IDF service. It does so through a unique mentorship model, pairing volunteers (all former Lone Soldiers) with those on active duty. Ach Gadol provides the young men and women with one-on-one personal guidance, essential support, and a life-long network. The ongoing war in Israel has brought considerable challenges for Lone Soldiers - and has made Ach Gadol’s work more meaningful, impactful, and necessary than ever.”

I attended for two reasons: 1) I didn’t want the presenters to present to an empty room out of respect for their service and 2) Jacob had heard about the organization and has been thinking about reaching out to become a volunteer.

I am so glad I went. The synagogue was full and the presentations from Maj. (Res.) Hadas, an Ethiopian and Bedouin officer of distinction, and Staff Sgt. (Res.) Vitaly, who spent three months fighting in Ukraine before drafting to IDF reserve duty in October, were phenomenal. Their stories of strength and courage were phenomenal. Hadas had run away from her difficult home situation at 17. The IDF turned her away when she first applied but she wouldn’t have it. Then, she applied for officer’s course, and they said, “no, this isn’t for you.” She didn’t care, she applied and was successful in the course. She served in the IDF for 11 years and now volunteers with Ach Gadol so that Lone Soldiers, just like she was, won’t feel as lonely as she did throughout their service. She shows up to their ceremonies, makes sure they receive a present on their birthday, and mostly, listens to their concerns.

Vitaly first immigrated to Israel through Naale for High School. Born in Belarus he learned at a young age that he wasn’t wanted there because he was a Jew. After a career in the IDF he decided he had to help his Ukrainian neighbors beat Russia. When the war first broke out, he went to train platoons of soldiers for the front lines and then fought alongside them. He stayed until he was informed that his name was now on Putin’s most-wanted list. On October 8^th, he was called back to reserve service with the IDF. As he spoke so eloquently in front of us, glowing with pride as he described how important it was for him to be a volunteer with Ach Gadol he said: “until 4 days ago, I have been in Gaza. I still have not adapted to not being there.”

If you are looking for a way to make a difference in the life of just one of the 7500 Lone Soldiers currently serving in the IDF then I encourage you to donate to Ach Gadol. They have submitted their application for to be a 501c3 and are currently registered as a non-profit in Texas so, your donation will retroactively become a tax deduction.

As immigrant Lone Soldiers already connected to an organization Jacob and Rebekah are so fortunate. They have imahot (mothers) assigned to them who bring them food every weekend throughout their service and for a few months after. Their apartments were furnished with free stuff from so many donors. They have friends from school to spend time with and, always, the Levy family happy to take them in, drop them off on their draft dates, show up for their meaningful ceremonies, and put together hand-me-down furniture pieces. They also have parents, albeit across the ocean, who love them unconditionally and communicate with them in positive ways in times of stress and in times of joy, as often as possible.

B’shalom,

Sarah