To support lone soldiers before, during, and after their IDF service.

To be there every step of the way: providing meals, community, social events and guidance to lone soldiers, so they don't feel alone.

To build connections within the Israeli business community so that released lone soldiers are able to find jobs and succeed in Israeli civilian life after their release.

Lone soldiers do not have families in Israel to look out for them. Many fall between the cracks and struggle to get by during their army service and in the months following. Our organization was formed by former lone soldiers, troubled with the situations we often found ourselves in, and committed to building an organization and a community of lone soldiers to provide the support and knowledge so often lacking when lone soldiers arrive in Israel and join the army.

For lone soldiers, by lone soldiers. We have been through it, and we are committed to making life better for those currently serving in the IDF as lone soldiers.

There are over 5,000 "lone soldiers" serving in the IDF. They are considered "lone" soldiers because while they have come to Israel to serve in the IDF, their families live abroad. Every time they go on leave, their fridges are empty and their uniforms must be washed. Every Jewish and national holiday, from Shabbat to Pesach to Israeli Independence Day, they have no family and no community to celebrate with. They are on their own to face the challenges of fighting in the IDF, and adjusting to life in Israel.

This past year, a large number of former lone soldiers came together to establish this support center in memory of Michael Levin, a lone soldier who moved to Israel from Philidelphia and was killed in combat during the Second Lebanon War.

The Lone Soldier Center, formally the Michael Levin Memorial Center for the Support of Lone Soldiers, has been in existence for over a year - staffed by an amazing group of volunteers, former lone soldiers themselves, dedicated to providing the services and support lone soldiers need and deserve.

Shabbat Leave:

Lone soldiers have no family in Israel to take care of them on Shabbat leave. They must find a way to buy food, cook, wash their uniforms, and find their own living quarters. Many lone soldiers are not able to take care of their needs during their time on leave, (normally Friday afternoon until Sunday morning). They return to the army tired, their uniforms wet, potentially losing their focus in the army because of the unsettling situation at "home" on leave.

The goal of this project is to raise funds to provide Shabbat meals and laundry to lone soldiers - so they can rest, like all other Israeli soldiers on Shabbat leave.

First Steps:
Educational and social support for lone soldiers.

• Educational Seminars so that lone soldiers from abroad will understand how the IDF is structured, combat and non-combat positions available to them, and what their rights are as lone soldiers. Match with veteran lone soldiers who serve as mentors/big brothers, and assist navigating government and IDF bureacracy.
• Consistent social framework for pre-enlistment lone soldiers, introducing them to their peer group, thereby creating a community of lone soldiers. Shared meals, cultural and social events (exposure to Israeli history, culture, and Zionism crucial to maintaining motivation and focus during their difficult service).

Post-IDF Mentorship
Connecting lone soldiers finishing their service with former lone soldiers ("alumni"). To set-up a system for former lone soldiers and concerned Israelis to open doors and provide connections for lone soldiers at they finish their IDF service.
Israeli society, especially knowledge of and access to job openings, is often an insider network, this project will build the base to provide released lone soldiers with insider help, and match and guide them along the way.