Lonely:
People feel lonely for a number of reasons, including simple social awkwardness and intentional isolation, or because they are physically far from their family and friends.
Lonely Soldiers:
It is true: There were thousands of lone soldiers in Israel, but the “law” has changed with the latest military operation “Tsuk Eitan”.
No soldier is lonely anymore – we have a great opportunity to erase this sad idea of “Lone Soldier”. It is time we, the Israelis start to adopt every soldier who is considered “lonely”.
We, the Israelis, are right now showing these young soldiers what we can do for them but we must find a way to do for them all year around – and not only during hard times like today.
It is possible to adopt a soldier all year around, show them warmth, love and even give them a helping hand when they need one – a monetary and a physical hand.
A personal touch:
In 1978 I became a lone soldier and let me tell you something: I was economically “lonely”, but socially I had a lot of friends from the IDF and from the community in Jerusalem and Beer Sheba where I lived.
In Beer Sheba I was “adopted” by many families, more than I could visit every time I came home.
A change we can make:
Let’s make a change, we can do it. Let’s make the idea of a lone soldier become only a classification that these soldiers are given in the IDF for the purpose of enhanced benefits. It is fine that they receive special and extra monetary help from the IDF, but “lonely” they don’t have to be anymore.
It is up to us, every one of us.
While rockets rained down on Israel from Hamas, another full flight of new olim arrived home on Tuesday! I want to thank you again and again – I look around and I see real heroes in each one of the new and old immigrants – for showing strength and fearlessness and dedication to be here in Israel at this time.
