Lone soldier

Grapevine: Ancient minority

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
The Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem. January 15, 2017.
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
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.

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.

|ByHERB KEINON
From L to R: KeepOlim Board Members Fabien Berdah, LiAmi Lawrence, Jessica Thangjom, and Director of Tikva, Susan Cohen.

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.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN

The morals and values of lone soldiers in the IDF should inspire us all - opinion

Through their actions, lone soldiers are writing new chapters in the story of Israel’s rebirth in the current Second War of Independence.

JANUARY 12, 2025ByODED REVIVI
PARTICIPANTS IN the Garin Tzabar program visit ANU: The Museum of the Jewish People.

Over 150 lone soldiers join the IDF through Garin Tzabar Scouts program

"We all salute them for their choice and see it as a true fulfillment of Zionism," said CEO of Tzofim Tzabar Olami, Daniel Amira.

JANUARY 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Over 150 lone soldiers join the IDF through Garin Tzabar Scouts program.

IDF to recognize lone soldier reservists, provide benefits and support

Nearly 8,000 reservists who were lone soldiers in their regular service will receive this status and benefits, including gift cards, subsidized flights and mental healthcare.

JANUARY 8, 2025ByEVE YOUNG
Representatives of lone soldier organizations and other officials at a Knesset committee meeting on lone reservists

Hannaton launches new campus for lone soldiers

The first-of-its-kind program offers lone soldiers shared living with pre-military academy students, providing comprehensive support and community throughout their service.

DECEMBER 31, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
New Hannaton building under construction.

Fast lane for lone soldiers: Nefesh B’Nefesh and FIDF host driver’s license conversion day

Hundreds of lone soldiers and National Service volunteers converted their licenses in one day, thanks to Nefesh B’Nefesh, FIDF, and Israel’s Ministry of Transport.

DECEMBER 25, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
From left: FIDF CEO Steven Weil, Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder Rabbi Yehoshua Fass.

Finding her way home: A Jewish-Korean immigrant's experience in paving a future in Israel

Tamar Shoshan, a new immigrant and future lone soldier, embodies the qualities of patience and perseverance through her journey from New York to Israel.

DECEMBER 6, 2024ByMAYA GUR ARIEH
TAMAR’S RECONNECTION with her Jewish identity came unexpectedly when a friend introduced her to Tzofim North America (the Israeli Scouts) in ninth grade. Here, she is pictured with the local Tzofim leadership team.

Only 500 of the 13,000 lone reservists have received mental health support since Oct. 7

The war is also taking a psychological toll on thousands of lone soldiers, most of whom need mental health support.

DECEMBER 6, 2024ByDR. ITAI GAL
Immigration and Diaspora Committee discuss funding for mental health services for lone soldiers

Kevin Spacey makes surprise trip to Israel, visits soldiers, sites of Oct. 7 massacre

The actor also gave a two-hour masterclass at the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Tel Aviv.

DECEMBER 4, 2024ByMATHILDA HELLER, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
American actor Kevin Spacey visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. December 3, 2024.

NBN, FIDF hosts Thanksgiving dinner for Lone Soldiers, National Service volunteers

FIDF partnered with The Michael Levin Base to host over 300 soldiers and volunteers at the NBN Aliyah Campus in Jerusalem.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Lizze Noach & Bonnie Rosenbaum, Co-Directors of The Michael Levin Base, Tony Gelbart & Rabbi Yehoshua Fass Co-Founders of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Richard Corman, Chairman of the Board of the Michael Levine Base, Noya Govrin, Division Head of the FIDF with Lone B’not Sherut celebrating Thanksgiving.

Nefesh B'Nefesh opens new Tel Aviv center to assist olim, lone soldiers

Located in Azrieli Tower, the expansion will serve as a space for programming for NBN to continue helping Jews worldwide make Aliyah and adjust to life in Israel. 

NOVEMBER 13, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Nefesh B'Nefesh opens new center in Tel Aviv