Lone Soldier

In the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a lone soldier (Hebrew: חייל בודד‎‎, Ḥayal Boded) is defined as a serviceman or woman without immediate family in Israel. Lone soldiers serve in regular units and receive various forms of support from the IDF, Israeli government ministries and other organizations. Their exact number fluctuates over time, but is consistently in the thousands; the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported in April 2012 that there were an "estimated 5,000". About 40% of them serve in combat units. They are generally either non-Israelis of Jewish background volunteering under the Mahal or Tzofim Garin Tzabar programmes, or immigrants under the Law of Return, although other possibilities exist (e.g. orphaned natives). According to an IDF spokeswoman, 8,217 personnel born outside Israel enlisted between 2009 and August 2012. The most represented countries of origin were Russia and the United States, with 1,685 and 1,661 recruits respectively.

Lone soldiers receive a higher basic salary from the IDF, as well as financial assistance from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Ministry of Housing and Construction. They are also given help with housing, and the right to extra time off, including 30 days per year to visit family overseas.

Organizations that help lone soldiers include the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin, The Benji Hillman Foundation which offers housing and guidance for lone soldiers in Ra'anana, The FIDF/NBN Lone Soldiers Program, Jewish Agency and Chayal el Chayal. The Lone Soldier Center, which is open 24 hours a day, assists lone soldiers and their families overseas, provides meals on the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) and Jewish holidays, gives lone soldiers educational and social opportunities, and, where needed, helps them find adoptive families in Israel. The FIDF/NBN provides solutions caring for all immigrants and lone soldiers at all stages of the process: prior to arrival in Israel, prior to recruitment, throughout military service and after release from the IDF (if the released soldier remains in Israel as a civilian). Chayal el Chayal offers an at-home environment for future, present and past lone soldiers. They provide lodging, meals on the Jewish Sabbath and Jewish holidays, equipment and care packages, and items related to Judaism such as prayer-books and shawls.

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