Mother of Lone Soldier Flies in for Nahal Brigade Beret Ceremony in Northern Israel

The November 2025 cohort of the Nahal Brigade's Netzah Yehuda Battalion completed their beret march in Afula, marking a significant milestone in their military training. The battalion, part of the Kfir Brigade, is expected to conclude its operational activities in northern Gaza soon before transitioning to training and later deployment in the Lebanon sector.

Among the families attending the ceremony was Esther, the mother of a lone soldier serving in the battalion, who flew in from abroad just hours before the event. She was warmly welcomed by the El Al flight crew with a personal letter acknowledging the special occasion. Esther expressed pride in her son's decision to immigrate to Israel and join the Israel Defense Forces, highlighting his commitment to both national service and maintaining a religious lifestyle.

She noted the unique integration of military service with religious study in Netzah Yehuda, mentioning that the soldiers recently took exams in Talmud and Jewish law and regularly engage in prayer and Torah study, creating a spiritual atmosphere suited for the ultra-Orthodox community.

A soldier from the cohort reflected on the dual mission of their service, emphasizing the connection between those defending Israel physically and those studying Torah. Yossi, CEO of the National Association for Ultra-Orthodox Integration in the IDF, praised the new soldiers for successfully combining religious observance with meaningful combat service and affirmed the organization's ongoing support for their spiritual and operational needs.