Lone soldier

‘We're lone soldiers, but we're not lonely’: How the IDF supports fighters without families

“Olim (immigrant) soldiers who come from abroad to Israel do it purely out of a sense of Zionism and because they really want to take part in helping Israel and helping the IDF.”

JULY 8, 2026|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Staff Sergeant Oren Metzuyanim, a 21-year-old lone soldier at the main rehearsal of the 78th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 19, 2026.

Jewish immigrants fleeing the war in Ukraine, on a rescue flight sponosred by the IFCJ, arrive at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on March 6, 2022.

Tel Aviv to establish new 'beit oleh' to support immigrants, lone soldiers, vice-mayor says

The house will be “a place where they can come and work, have Shabbat dinners, celebrate the holidays, receive lectures, do shows, have parties, and organize,” Tel Aviv Vice-Mayor Guy Avner said.

JUNE 28, 2026|BySAM HALPERN

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

Government approves dedicated unit to assist new immigrants serving in IDF

The establishment of the unit, which will specialize in guiding and supporting olim in the IDF, follows a significant rise in the number of immigrants who have chosen to make Aliyah since October 7.

MAY 17, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

After October 7, the battlefield expanded online, where narratives spread as fast as the war itself.

'Digital Warrior': How a lone soldier shaped Israel's global narrative after October 7

A personal account of Israel’s information war and how truth is shaped and shared in real time

MAY 12, 2026|ByCHANI KAPLAN

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.

FEBRUARY 12, 2026ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN

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

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

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

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