Thousands of Lone Soldiers Get One-Stop Shop for Errands
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Around 10,000 lone soldiers and recent veterans attended an "Errands Day" event at Expo Tel Aviv, organized by FIDF, Nefesh B'Nefesh, the IDF, and the Association for the Soldier's Welfare. Over 70 organizations provided essential services like driver's licenses, document processing, and employment assistance to simplify bureaucratic hurdles for soldiers serving without family support. The event, part of Lone Soldier Appreciation Week, aimed to show these soldiers that Israeli society supports them.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 10,000 lone soldiers and recent veterans attended an "Errands Day" at Expo Tel Aviv.
- Over 70 organizations provided services including driver's licenses and document processing.
- The event was led by FIDF, Nefesh B'Nefesh, the IDF, and the Association for the Soldier's Welfare.
- Lone soldiers often manage housing, employment, and rights independently.
- The event coincided with Lone Soldier Appreciation Week.
- Organizers aimed to show lone soldiers they are supported by Israeli society.
Approximately 10,000 lone soldiers and recently discharged soldiers gathered at Expo Tel Aviv for the annual "Errands Day" event, designed to help them navigate bureaucratic challenges without family support. The event, led by Friends of the IDF (FIDF), Nefesh B'Nefesh, the IDF, and the Association for the Soldier's Welfare, featured over 70 government offices and organizations providing services in areas such as driver's licenses, documents, rights, housing, and employment.
Currently, over 8,000 lone soldiers serve in the IDF, including more than 3,300 new immigrants who arrived in Israel without their families. These soldiers must independently manage issues like housing, employment, studies, and accessing their rights. The event aimed to centralize these services, allowing soldiers to address multiple needs in one location.
Services offered included a Ministry of Transportation complex for driver's license conversions, with vision tests and even theory exams available on-site for the first time. The Population and Immigration Authority operated a mobile unit for biometric ID cards and passports, while representatives from various ministries provided information on rights and assistance. Legal advice, housing and employment counseling, and post-service rights information were also available.
The IDF's Technology and Logistics Directorate had a station for issuing and altering uniforms, with volunteer seamstresses offering repairs. The event coincided with Lone Soldier Appreciation Week, highlighting their contributions to national security and Israeli society.
Shraga Weissman of Nefesh B'Nefesh and FIDF emphasized the symbolic importance of the day, stating, "We want to give something back to them for this feeling. That they don't have to deal with it alone." He added that consolidating services shows soldiers "that Israeli society sees them, appreciates their choice, and is here for them."
Liron Donal of FIDF Israel noted the event as another expression of their work for soldiers, particularly lone soldiers with unique challenges. Merav Ben David of the Association for the Soldier's Welfare echoed this sentiment, thanking donors and partners for enabling the comprehensive support provided to lone soldiers throughout the year and especially on this day.
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