Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN) and Friends of the IDF (FIDF) hosted their annual “Personal Errands Day” for lone soldiers in Tel Aviv on Thursday.
The event, in cooperation with the IDF Human Resources Department and Yahad (“United for Israel’s Soldiers”), brought together more than 40 different government ministries and organizations to create a one-day, one-stop shop for all the services soldiers without family in the country might need during their services.
Those services included issuing biometric passports, converting foreign driver’s licenses, issuing IDs, confirming foreign degrees, legal advice, individual housing assistance and more.
“We applaud the brave young men and women who made aliyah on their own and subsequently are serving in the IDF, and we will continue to support them in every way possible,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh.
In attendance were 2,500 active lone soldiers from 70 countries, representatives from various ministries and senior IDF commanders.
Steve Weil, CEO of FIDF, said, “Military service is difficult and complicated for every soldier, and even more so for lone soldiers. Their decision to enlist in the IDF—many from overseas—is a courageous and noble act, one that is rooted in a deep sense of mission, selflessness, and Zionism.”
Thursday’s event marked the eighth annual Yom Siddurim (or “Personal Errands Day”). It was the finale to the IDF’s “Lone Soldier Appreciation Week,” saluting those serving in the Israeli army without family support, mainly new immigrants, but orphans and others as well.
