Lone Soldiers

Each year, thousands of Lone Soldiers—young adults who move to Israel without immediate family—voluntarily enlist in the IDF. As they prepare for their military service, many are faced with a difficult decision regarding housing: to live on a secular or Orthodox kibbutz; neither of which may align with their own Jewish identity.

In response, The Hannaton Educational Center has established Israel’s only pluralistic Lone Soldier community, offering a meaningful alternative to these typical choices. The first of its kind in Israel, Hannaton’s Lone Soldier program offers a home rooted in traditional, egalitarian, and pluralistic Jewish life. It celebrates the diverse Jewish identities these soldiers bring from around the world, while fostering resilience, connection, and leadership.

Far from their families and familiar surroundings, Lone Soldiers face the daily challenges of adapting to a new culture, navigating the intensity of army service, and building support networks from the ground up. These young people bring incredible dedication and strength and our program ensures that they don’t face these challenges alone.

With the first cohort arriving in September 2024, together with Garin Tsabar, our goal is to equip them with the guidance, community, and tools they need to integrate, contribute, and lead in Israeli society.

Program Benefits

• Leadership training and a pre-army preparation seminar 
• Supported housing on Hannaton’s newly constructed campus 
• Adoptive family networks in the nearby Kibbutz Hannaton community 
• Ongoing emotional and practical support throughout military service 
• Post-army guidance through the Hannaton alumni network