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Help Daniel Find His Home (ad)
Daniel was 19 when he enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Daniel felt stuck in a rut, and was looking for a way to break out by doing something drastic and meaningful, which is how he became a Lone Soldier – a foreign soldier in the IDF without a family or support structure in the Holy Land.
After joining the army, though he had been expecting tough training, things were far more difficult than he had envisioned. On breaks, the loneliness was acute – Shabbat meals were especially difficult. But when Daniel found Chayal el Chayal, he finally felt at home. He was placed at welcoming families for Shabbat meals. He was able to rest up at the Chayal el Chayal home in Jerusalem, where he found new friends to relax with.
But perhaps most importantly of all, at Chayal el Chayal, Daniel was listened to. Daniel built a meaningful relationship with a Chayal el Chayal rabbi, who was able to understand and appreciate Daniel’s challenges. Daniel was able to confide in someone who understood him, which led him to reconnecting to his Yiddishkeit in a more positive, personal way.
Daniel is not alone – there are some 6,000 Lone Soldiers serving in the IDF, and Chayal el Chayal aims to give each of them the material and spiritual support they need with places to stay, use a computer, do laundry, or speak to a counselor.
Now you have the opportunity to join this mission by purchasing a ticket in the Chayal el Chayal raffle with a grand trip of a trip for four to Israel with food, transport, accommodation, airfare and a visit to an IDF outpost.
Rachel Olensky
Bless Mordy his wife and everyone at CEC for helping our children who join the IDF in whatever way they help from providing yom tov meals a place to do laundry or just chill!!!
Parents of a former Lone Soldier
A tremendous mitzvah. These brave and dedicated soldiers get a small stipend but not enough to feed them when off base. Their Israeli counterparts go home for Shabbos. Our son was lucky as we sent him money but many of his friends really had a rough time. Contribute to these defenders of Eretz Yisroel!