(Courtesy of Friends of Migdal Ohr) On May 9, American Friends of Migdal Ohr launched its new soldiers program dedicated to helping Migdal Ohr students and graduates successfully navigate the challenges of army life before, during and after their service in the Israel Defense Forces.
Migdal Ohr’s Soldier Support Program addresses the physical and emotional needs of students and graduates during the critical phases of army life, including physical training, provision of special equipment prior to enlistment, lone soldier leave amenities and civilian reintegration assistance after service completion.
The keynote speaker at the Migdal Ohr gala was General Eli Ben Meir, former commander of the IDF Military Intelligence Corp and head of IDF research and analysis. He is credited with identifying the threat of a Syrian nuclear reactor and played a key role in planning the Israel Air Force operation that destroyed the reactor in 2007.
At the event, General Ben Meir spoke about the planning and daring raid on the Syrian nuclear reactor as well as the importance of the new Migdal Ohr soldiers program.
“When you move from being an individual to being part of something, as in the IDF, it takes time to adjust, especially if you come from a broken home,” General Ben Meir said. “It means without the right preparation or help they won’t be able to succeed.”
“This is why I support this unique program because it gives our soldiers all the tools they need to have a successful service. They are not just protecting Israel and the Jewish people; they are becoming better citizens and will subsequently have more choices in life.”
For many of Migdal Ohr’s students, nothing has been easy, but service in the army is the ultimate test of character, and those who become soldiers need to be ready for new realities. Migdal Ohr nurtures at-risk children and builds them up. The army presents special challenges and these students need tools to meet them.
At the event, American Friends of Migdal Ohr also paid tribute to long-time supporters Murray and Estelle Appelbaum and Dr. Steven, Cherie and Caroline Starkman.
For more information about Migdal Ohr, please visit the website at www.migdalohrusa.org or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/MigdalOhrUSA.
