A 747 jumbo charter Aliyah flight arrived in Tel Aviv from JFK airport on Tuesday morning, August 16th, carrying 360 North Americans moving to Israel. The flight, sponsored by Friends of the IDF (FIDF), was organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

Among the 132 singles on board the flight, were 104 young men and women who will be joining the IDF in the coming months.

This is the second year that FIDF and Nefesh B’Nefesh have partnered together to help newly arrived soldiers with their transition into their new lives in Israel and national service. As a result of this partnership, these Lone Soldiers receive additional assistance, including financial grants, social support, quarterly care packages and post-army integrative services, including educational guidance, career counseling and job placement.

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 2011, 279 Lone Soldiers received round-trip airline tickets from FIDF.
• Cost: The cost of sponsoring the airfare for a Lone Soldier is $1,200.