Lone Soldiers

Israel's Memorial Day begins this evening.

Lone soldier. This term refers to young Jewish men or women who have grown up in Jewish communities around the world and who have made the decision to immigrate to Israel on their own, leaving their families and friends behind.  Those of the pertinent age group do their obligatory military service soon after arrival.  These are called "lone soldiers." Because of their circumstances, when they receive leave from the army, many have nowhere to go on their own. Sometimes they will go on leave with friends, but after a while they forgo this option, not wanting to intrude.
One solution that has been for Israeli families to "adopt" these soldiers and offer them a place to stay on leave in a familial setting.  Several voluntary organizations are involved in this, and it is considered a remarkable success.
Still, though, not perfect.  There is a real, biting loneliness for these young men and woman until they find a partner and build a family of their own.
Sometimes, they do not reach that stage. Several lone soldiers have died in the fighting. Every death strikes us hard, but these carry an extra load of sorrow.  The thought that their funerals would be attended only by a formal honor guard, some friends from the army, and parents who have been hurriedly flown in seemed too heavy to bear.
And so it was during the last round of fighting.  A spontaneous call went out in the social media and tens of thousands of Israelis went to these funerals.  I tried to get to one in Ashkelon but could not even get near to the cemetery because of the mass of people trying to do the same.  While stuck in the traffic, I saw through my rear-view mirror that the honor guard with the body was approaching, and I was privileged to have an opportunity to step out of my car and stand at attention to pay my respects to Jordan Ben Simon, age 22, who had immigrated from France.  May his memory be for a blessing.