Lone Soldier Families Reunited in Birthright Israel Volunteer Ceremony

Last week, our Birthright Israel Volunteer program had the privilege of welcoming an extraordinary group of participants to Israel — parents of Lone Soldiers from the U.S., Russia, and Argentina. These brave young men and women have chosen to serve in the Israel Defense Forces far from home, and their parents traveled thousands of miles to not only see them again, but to stand with Israel as volunteers.

On Thursday, the group gathered at an IDF base for a deeply emotional ceremony. For some, it was the first time they had embraced their children in more than a year. We are proud to stand with these soldiers and their families, and to honor their commitment to protecting Israel. This heartwarming occasion of tears, laughter, and long-awaited hugs was made possible thanks to our generous donors. It was attended by Major-General Dado Bar Kalifa, Head of the IDF Manpower Directorate; Dr. Miriam Adelson, Israeli-American physician and philanthropist; and Gidi Mark, CEO of Taglit.

We invite you to read more about this remarkable event in this article from Israel National News. It’s a story that beautifully captures the spirit of Birthright Israel — caring for one another and celebrating the love and unity of our global Jewish family.