Parents of Lone IDF Soldiers Flown to Israel

In any given year, when Israel isn’t at war with one of its neighbors, there are approximately 35 lone soldiers from Atlanta serving in the country’s military without their immediate family living in Israel. But according to Seth R. Baron, vice president of FIDF Georgia & Southeast States, with more than 350,000 soldiers have been called for reserve duty since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Southern Israel, “we have no way of knowing how many former soldiers have been called up.”

So, while many Atlanta Jewish families are anxiously watching the news in Israel, hearing about hostage releases and more bodies identified as having been murdered in the brutal early October massacre, which saw some 1,200, mostly civilians, killed, parents of those who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces have a heightened interest.

The stabbing death in early November of Atlanta-native Rose Lubin, who was serving in the IDF in Jerusalem, brought those concerns into higher focus for Atlanta parents who have children serving in Israel’s army.

Aware of that anxiety, in early November, Nefesh B’Nefesh, which facilitates immigration to Israel and helps new immigrants adjust to their new lives, started a program called “Operation Hug.” In a joint effort with Jewish National Fund-USA and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), the organization launched the program which will provide hundreds of roundtrip tickets on El Al Israel Airlines for one parent of any lone soldier serving in active combat units during the current war.

A Nefesh B’Nefesh spokeswoman said that the organization had more than 1,100 requests for tickets “and have helped book tickets for a few hundred parents to date,” as of Nov. 22. “The program came about after we saw the need for the lone soldiers to have family within reach and especially for extremely anxious parents to have the option to be closer to their children serving in combat and give them a hug,” said Yael Katsman, vice president of communications.

“We are deeply moved and humbled by the daily courage of all the lone soldiers who are bravely serving our Jewish homeland far away from their parents and family,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Several Atlanta parents have already left for Israel as part of this program. Although airfare are covered for one parent, no accommodations or ground transportation is provided, said one parent who left for Israel in mid-November. And the parents are not guaranteed that their soldier-child will be able to leave their unit to visit the parents for that hug.

According to Nefesh B’Nefesh, there are about 5,000 lone soldiers, both men and women, who immigrated to Israel and are currently serving in active and reserve service without any family support in Israel.

“We are deeply moved and humbled, during this challenging time, by the daily courage of all the lone soldiers who are bravely serving our Jewish homeland far away from their parents and family,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “We are extra sensitive to the concern this distance is causing the parents of these brave men and women on the front lines and have therefore established our ‘Operation Hug’ campaign to shorten the physical distances. I am proud that national institutions have come together for this beautiful project.”

“Lone Soldiers have left behind their friends, family, and support systems to serve their Jewish homeland. Now it’s our turn to serve them and offer whatever measure of comfort we can,” said Russell Robinson, CEO of Jewish National Fund-USA. “Not only will this initiative strengthen their spirits, but it will also strengthen our worldwide Jewish family in coming together to make a difference. There is nothing like a parent’s hug in these terrifying times, and we are proud to partner with two other incredible organizations to make this possible for Israel’s Lone Soldiers.”

“We are profoundly grateful for the unwavering commitment and dedication of the hundreds of thousands of IDF soldiers who courageously defend Israel in the pursuit of peace and security,” said Steve Weil, CEO of FIDF. “Among those making the greatest contributions to the efforts are the Lone Soldiers from around the world who have left their families behind to stand on the front lines. Their valor and selflessness inspire us, and we are honored to facilitate reunions with their deserving parents. Their service and dedication exemplify the highest ideals of commitment and courage.”

Nefesh B’Nefesh reported that one Richmond, Va., mother, Stacie Stufflebeam, did enjoy a surprise reunion with her sons, Evan, 24, and Adam, 29, who are reserve IDF soldiers. Her third son, Vered, 27, was on standby to fill in for another soldier if needed.

For more information on how to enroll in the program, go to: www.nbn.org.il/operation-hug