Lone Soldiers Program
Lone Soldiers do not have immediate family in Israel - they are usually new immigrants, orphans, or Israeli-born soldiers estranged from their families. About 5,000 IDF soldiers, classified as Lone Soldiers, serve their country every year despite dealing with numerous emotional and financial struggles.
- Around 30% of all Lone Soldiers serve in combat units.
- Close to 20% serve in combat-support units.
- More than half come from outside of Israel.
FIDF seeks to nurture these Lone Soldiers and help them navigate the various challenges they face on their own. A variety of programs ensures that these soldiers have a place to stay on their days off, that they have a community with whom to observe the holidays, receive financial support, and stay in touch with family and friends abroad.
Flights for Lone Soldiers Program
Every year, about 2,800 determined young men and women choose to leave the comfort of their homes and families to travel to Israel, enlist in the IDF, become proud soldiers, and make Israel their home.
The Flights for Lone Soldiers Program funds the airfare for lone soldiers, enabling them to travel back to their country of origin. The soldiers are then free to spend time with their loved ones and share experiences from IDF and Israeli life.
- Every month, about 100 Lone Soldiers apply to visit their families abroad. With the help of our supporters, we can achieve the goal of sending each and every one of these soldiers to reunite with their loved ones.
- In 2009, 85 Lone Soldiers received round-trip airline tickets from FIDF.
- Cost: The cost of sponsoring the airfare for a Lone Soldier is $1,200.
Testimonials
"Most people don’t understand what it means to be a Lone Soldier.
Being a Lone Soldier means that one has made the decision to be far
from family and friends in order to support Israel – our country. Your
donation has made it possible for me to be with my family during the
holidays, something that has not happened for over 2 years. Thank you
from all of my heart."
- Ilana Frechtman, soldier in the Nachal Brigade
Flight Destination: Newark, NJ
"It has been my dream since I began in the army to see my family again
after almost 5 years and to see for the first time my 2 little sisters
who were born after I had moved to Israel."
- Daniel Schmidt, soldier in the Navy Corps
Flight Destination: Sao Paulo, Brazil