The Unique Phenomenon of the IDF's Lone Soldier | Unpacked

The lone soldier, or chayal boded in Hebrew, is unique to the IDF and to Israel. What motivates young men and women from all over the world to volunteer for military service so far from their homes? And why are some local Israeli recruits also Lone Soldiers? Explore the connection that draws young Jews from around the world to Israel every year to voluntarily join the IDF and find out how Israelis have been supporting these soldiers dating back to Israel’s War of Independence in 1948.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:31 What is a Lone Soldier?
00:57 Overseas volunteers and the Machal unit
01:27 Israelis without connection to their immediate families
01:50 Why is the Lone Soldier status necessary?
02:10 Additional support given to Lone Soldiers
02:56 Max Steinberg z"l, Operation Protective Edge
03:11 Challenges faced by Lone Soldiers
03:50 Michael Levin z"l, The Second Lebanon War
04:01 The Lone Soldier Center
04:30 The Jewish connection to Israel

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Watch next — The Wonder Women of the Israel Defense Force

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Image and Footage Credits:
- GPO Israel/Kluger Zoltan
- Israel Defense Forces
- Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center
- Friends of IDF
- Ruptly
- Nefesh B'Nefesh
- ארכיון הצילומים קקל, אלכס בוז'יק, מתוך אתר פיקיויקי
- i24 News

About Explainers: From ancient Jewish traditions to the modern State of Israel, we explain it all. Diving into anything and everything related to Jewish culture, history, and even religion.

Understand Jewish holidays, Israeli politics, Jewish diasporic communities, and more. Learn about Judaism in pop culture, debunking myths about Jews, and explore obscure Israeli landmarks. We’re asking questions as basic as “What is the Talmud?”, and as obscure as “How did hip-hop boost Kosher wine sales?”, and everything in between.

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#Israel #IDF #Explainers

[ruthiemay]

I served in the US Army in the 1970s and the US Navy in the 1980s. If only I had known about the Lone Soldier program. I would have been thrilled to serve in Israel. Too old now...

[carlhicksjr]

I served with a guy in the US Army back in the 80's who emigrated to Israel and served in the IDF.
At my last hearing, and this has to be 20 years ago if it's a day, he'd served his active duty time, transferred to a Reserve unit, and was married. I hope he is well to this day.

[ilyabakharev]

We were Lone Soldiers, came from Russia to Israel. My brother was a machine gunner in IDF, and I myself served as a programmer in Joint Staff. And yes, our army and our society cared about us. We have completed our army service, now we live in Canada and we remember our army term with nostalgia.

[n.w.]

May God bless all the line soldiers who voluntarily join the IDF to protect Israel. Many are thinking of you and are both grateful and proud of you. 🙏💕

[raffy]

Brings tears to my eyes! I joined in 1956 at 17 years old I was the youngest of about eighty volunteers from South Africa.Makes me feel very proud to have served.After basic training I ended up in the Navy and served on the INS Eilat.GOD BLESS ISRAEL! IDF # 341421

[M.M]

1 of my cousins is currently serving in the IDF as Lone Soldier and his older brother served as a Lone Soldier in 2010-2013.

[Agilite]

Lone soldiers are such a blessing and are very respected and cared for by the IDF.
Adoptive families are very important.

[theprophet]

I'm a lone Soldier in Golani and most of the things that are discussed in the video are pretty accurate

[markgrindell]

I was a new immigrant over 40 years ago and became a lone soldier was adopted by a wonderful kibbutz called Kalia.After my service in the IDF I was proud to represent the kibbutz movement helping to form groups of olim that would serve in the Nachal a branch of the IDF that were attached to kibbutzim throughout Israel. It was my great honour to help these courageous young people that were mostly lone soldiers assimilate into the IDF and Aretz Israel.Thank you great channel.

[zachtbh]

I've never heard of the lone soldiers before. But the support provided for these soldiers is actually touching

[waynemclaughlin]

I remember when young American men would be drafted into the United States army and fight over in the Vietnam. A lot of the young American men would become draft dodgers as they made their way into Canada to escape being drafted into the army. Mean while a lot of young Canadian men would take their place and go to fight in Vietnam with the American army. A lot of young American soldiers died over there in Vietnam and were return home in a box basically. I think its great that Jews around the world would help the Israelis by joining the Israelis army as lone soldiers as they are called.

[oliviasmith]

God bless you dear lone soldiers! Stay safe!

[alankatz]

I know many lone soldiers and it’s not easy. Also not the easiest to become one.

[Melanie-zmxt]

This is heartbreaking/warming at the same time.
For their service time, they find a place to belong.

[FirstLastOne]

I am not a fan of any religion on this planet but I am humbled by the dedication of the men and women that find their way to the homeland to serve in the IDF. Much respect!

[zedsian]

I'm supposed to do my 12 months in the Greek army after my studies. I would much more prefer to join the IDF instead. God bless you all. Shalom from Greece!!

[BarefootDani]

Another cool yet relatively unknown fact is that in last years there is a rise of lone soldiers from abroad that aren't even Jewish but have family living in Israel. I know of a few Christian-Arabs and even a Druze that came to volunteer in the IDF all the way from Brazil :)

[asmitachatterjee]

Love the content that this channel puts out. Very underrated in my opinion. Kudos to you for sharing the history, context of customs/rituals and the struggles of Jews across centuries.
Love and respect from India.

[hallow]

I serving rn and have 4 lone soldiers in my basic training, really have huge respect for them.

[alg]

I'd be happy if you did more videos like this. These people are total heroes.