A Lone Soldier is an IDF soldier whose parents live abroad and who has chosen to leave his/her country of origin to serve and protect the State of Israel.

FIDF was established in the US in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors. Its mission is to initiate and support educational, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young male and female soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland. FIDF also provides support for the families of fallen soldiers.

The core mission of Nefesh B’Nefesh is to revitalize Aliyah and to substantially increase the number of future Olim (immigrants) to Israel. Nefesh B’Nefesh helps remove the professional, logistical and financial obstacles that prevent many individuals from actualizing their dreams. In the process of fulfilling its’ mission, NBN aims to educate and inspire the Jews of the Diaspora as to the centrality of the Jewish State to the Jewish people and its desirability as a Jewish home.

LSP was created as a joint venture between FIDF and Nefesh B’Nefesh with the goal of providing support and assistance to Lone Soldiers in the IDF.

The Lone Soldiers Program is supported by FIDF and the Government of Israel.

The IDF recognizes LSP as a resource for Lone Soldiers and shares information and resources to ensure that the soldiers are supported and never feel alone.

If you made or are making Aliyah through Nefesh B’Nefesh, send an email to lspen@nbn.org.il.

If you made Aliyah through the Jewish Agency for Israel, you can register for the program here.

If you are volunteering for the IDF as a foreign volunteer (Mahal), register here.

The Lone Soldiers Program provides Lone Soldiers with a number of unique resources. LSP has connections with the army and various governmental bodies (including direct contact with a representative in Meitav), distributes a financial grant before a lone soldier drafts, social events, army prep-days, post-army workshops, and more.

Upon meeting with a Mashakit Tash (army social worker) at your Tzav Rishon (first notice) you can officially receive Lone Soldier Status.

Lone soldiers have a number of rights and benefits such as financial support, housing assistance, and extra vacation days. You can read more about Lone Soldier benefits here.

Your release from the IDF is what we call a “second Aliyah” and it is an opportune time to help Olim integrate into the civilian Israeli society. We offer post-army workshops, employment consultations (including updating resumes, job placement services, career counseling and more), higher education resources, budgeting and housing information, and ongoing social events.

LSP was created to provide a family-like support system to Olim serving in the IDF who do not have family living in Israel. Therefore, the program is only available for Olim without parents in Israel.

You can reach out to our dedicated staff during every stage of your draft process and IDF service by calling 1-800-071-400 or emailing lspen@nbn.org.il.

The army determines your length of service based on your family status (single, married, etc.) and Age of Arrival to the country (this can be different from your official Aliyah date). You can contact lspen@nbn.org.il for more information or read about Length of Service here.

Although the IDF will make the final decision regarding your draft, your LSP advisor can put in a request with the army to expedite your draft.

Although LSP does not provide housing placements, we work closely with different Kibbutzim and adoptive families. If you are a Lone Soldier and want to live on a Kibbutz, we can connect you with the person in charge of housing placement (this is an option only upon enlistment). If you are interested in an adoptive family, please contact lspen@nbn.org.il.

Most Olim are offered a free Ulpan as part of their Aliyah-benefits package. In addition, all potential soldiers undergo a Hebrew test during their Tzav Rishon. Based on their test results, Olim may participate in a 3-month Hebrew course at Michve Alon, the duration of which is counted as part of their IDF service. Olim can also request to do an “Ulpanit” (a supplemental, one-month Ulpan) later during their service. However, we advise Olim not to depend on these opportunities as the sole resource for learning Hebrew.

Making Aliyah during or after your service can affect your length of service. Contact mahal@nbn.org.il to receive more information regarding your specific situation.

Yes. The Lone Soldiers Program works closely with Mahal. Participants can reach out to LSP for guidance and utilize all of LSP’s resources.

Yes. When filling out the application, mark off that you are planning on participating in the Garin Tzabar program.

Yes, Hesder Yeshiva students are eligible for LSP assistance.

If you are from North America, Canada or the UK, you need to apply for Aliyah and can contact us here. If you are a citizen of any of these countries but currently residing in Israel, you can reach us here.

If you hold citizenship from any other country, in order to begin the Aliyah process you must contact the Jewish Agency for Israel to arrange your Aliyah from abroad. If you hold citizenship from any other country but currently reside in Israel, contact Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of Interior).

No, by contacting NBN and submitting an application to this program you have made no commitment to serve. Obligatory and voluntary IDF service is determined by law and by the IDF only.