Lone soldier

Housing for lone soldiers is essential to Israel’s wartime resilience - opinion

Housing for lone soldiers is more than shelter; it provides stability, community, and the support needed to endure wartime service.

|ByLIORA RUBINSTEIN
Over 150 lone soldiers join the IDF through Garin Tzabar Scouts program.
Kidist Mengistu, a lone soldier from Ethiopia, was surprised by her mother at the Western Wall for bat mitzvah ceremony, Februrary 23, 2026.

IDF lone soldiers mark bar and bat mitzvah at Western Wall, including some family surprises

The event was organized by Ach Gadol (Big Brother for Lone Soldiers), a nonprofit that provides one-on-one mentorship and community support for soldiers serving in Israel without immediate family.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem. January 15, 2017.

Grapevine: Ancient minority

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
Levi Preger (L) and Max Long, the founder of the Growing Wings Foundation.

Levi Preger: From a Dutch town to the IDF

Preger, aged 27 is a lone soldier who made aliyah from the Netherlands. For the past four years, he has been active with the Growing Wings Foundation, a nonprofit that supports lone soldiers.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN

Herzog meets lone soldiers and families in closed-door Melbourne gathering

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the last day of Herzog’s visit to Australia, underscored both the pride and the unease felt by Diaspora families whose children chose to join the IDF.

FEBRUARY 12, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets students at Moriah War Memorial College during his state visit following a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, February 10, 2026.

KeepOlim: supporting olim where the system falls short

What began as an online community soon evolved into KeepOlim, a registered nonprofit now serving nearly 48,000 members across Israel.

JANUARY 29, 2026ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
From L to R: KeepOlim Board Members Fabien Berdah, LiAmi Lawrence, Jessica Thangjom, and Director of Tikva, Susan Cohen.

'Pillar of the community': Mourning loss of lone soldier Joshua Boone, family pushes for IDF burial

Since Boone’s death was just over two weeks after his reserve service officially ended, the Defense Ministry does not recognize him as a fallen soldier under existing criteria.

JANUARY 13, 2026ByKESHET NEEV, REBECCA SZLECHTER
Lone soldier Josh Boone from Idaho.

Over 150 young immigrants to make aliyah, join IDF, through Garin Tzabar this winter

The announcement follows about 350 arrivals in summer 2025, bringing the program’s total for the year to roughly 500 and marking a record since its founding in 1991.

DECEMBER 31, 2025ByYOAV ETIEL
Tzofim Garin Tzabar.

FIDF, Nefesh B'Nefesh hold first Yom Siddurim for lone soldiers in two years

Over 4,000 lone soldiers from 70 countries attended the Yom Siddurim (Errand Day) event, taking advantage of the unique on-site opportunity to tackle both bureaucratic and personal tasks.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Nefesh B’Nefesh and FIDF together with IDF, host record breaking event with over 4000 Lone Soldiers from 70 countries.

'We lived in a state of relentless fear,' antisemitic harassment campaign victim says - interview

Randy Settebrino recounted his experience of the three-month hate campaign, saying that the harasser contacted him and his family over a thousand times.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025ByMATHILDA HELLER
A poster made by Donovan Hall to intimidate Randy Settebrino during his three-month antisemitic harassment campaign, New York City, 2025

Ceremony to honor 96 fallen immigrant soldiers to be held on National Aliyah Day

The main event will include the presentation of a book commemorating the stories of the 96 fallen olim, with several keynote speakers.

OCTOBER 20, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF SOLDIERS operate in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, in November.

Grapevine: Huckabee at home

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee speaks at The Jerusalem Post at the Diplomatic Conference held at the Friends of Zion Museum media center in Jerusalem, September 16, 2025.

New Garin Tzabar Lone Soldier home opens in Galilee

First facility to house lone soldiers alongside Israeli peers inaugurated at Hannaton Educational Center.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hannaton Garin participants at the inauguration ceremony of the new Lone Soldiers’ House.

Nefesh B’Nefesh opens residence for female Lone National Service Volunteers in Jerusalem

The Bnot Sherut Bodedot Residence is giving 95 young women from around the world a true home, a built-in community, and the support they need as they volunteer in Israel

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
: THE RESIDENCE gives Lone Bnot Sherut a home, built-in community, and the support they need as they volunteer in Israel