Lone soldier

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.

Kidist Mengistu, a lone soldier from Ethiopia, was surprised by her mother at the Western Wall for bat mitzvah ceremony, Februrary 23, 2026.
 The Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem. January 15, 2017.

Grapevine: Ancient minority

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

Levi Preger: From a Dutch town to the IDF

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


Aliyah to Israel rises after wave of antisemitism, 237% more from France

A total of 7,000 new immigrants had arrived since October 7, including those seeking to enlist in the IDF and the parents of fallen soldiers.

 Caption: Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer (right) with Dir-Gen of the Ministry, Avichai Kahane (middle) and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass of Nefesh B’Nefesh (left) , with new olim. (Yonit Schiller)

She left Israel after serving as a lone soldier. The Gaza war brought her back

Hannah Schwarcz was in New York on October 7 and didn't find out about the massacre until October 8. By October 9, she was back in Israel to rejoin her IDF unit.

 IN GAZA, a moment of relaxation.

After her death, Israeli lone soldier's family donates her organs

Cpt. Rebecca Henrietta Johanna Baruch, a lone soldier from the Netherlands, is remembered as an inspiration to her fellow soldiers.

 Capt. (res.) Rebecca Henrietta Johanna Baruch

'The Partisan's Coat': A mysterious historical novel set in Israel - review

The Partisan’s Coat is Grenimann’s second novel. In a way, it could be called a coming-of-age novel.

 Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann

Israel's Rosie the Riviters: Unsung heroes keeping Israel from collapse

Sherut Leumi is vital to the function of Israeli hospitals and other institutions. Without the B’not Sherut, systems would become dysfunctional or could even collapse.

 Two current B'not Sherut who work at Hadassah Ein Kerem are visited by Devora Ruderman (R) of the Michael Levin Base

Foreign fallen soldier is posthumously awarded Israeli citizenship

A French lone soldier who was killed in battle on October 7 was posthumously awarded Israeli citizenship by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel.

 Moshe Arbel posthumously awards Israeli citizenship to fallen soldier Valentin Elie Ghnassia.

How can Israel preserve unity? - opinion

Tragically, unity has been involuntarily thrust upon us. Can we maintain it? Can we discover healthy communication?

 WE MUST strive for unity and peace.

'I'm horrified': South Africa warns of prosecution to citizens joining IDF

South Africa is one of the only countries in the world that recognizes Hamas as a representative of the Palestinian people.

 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (not pictured) attend a media briefing and signing ceremony at Tuynhuys to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries in Cape Town, South Africa, May 16, 2023

Jerusalem's superhero: Meet the man bringing comics to evacuees, lone soldiers

Whether it’s bringing comics and teddy bears to evacuees in Jerusalem or geek culture literature to the Israeli public, Arye Dobuler is using his organizational superpowers for good.

 NOT ALL heroes wear capes: Jerusalemite Arye Dobuler is seen with his huge collection of comic books and sci-fi/fantasy novels available for affordable purchase in the German Colony.

Israel-Hamas war: How are thousands of olim helping out?

This includes packing supplies, making challot for Shabbat, helping tutor children whose parents are in the IDF reserves, working on a social media campaign to raise awareness, and more.

 CALANIT EPSTEIN (L), seen with another new olah, arrives in Israel last month.