The Teaneck community has proudly witnessed a significant number of post-high school young men and women enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after their gap year in Israel. In 2005, Jonny Ben David, a congregant of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun and a proud parent of a veteran lone soldier, spearheaded a special Shabbat hosted by local shuls in support of programs that provide for the valiant soldiers of the IDF. Originally referred to as the “IDF Shabbat,” the tribute consisted of a festive Shabbat kiddush to which members contributed funds which were distributed to designated organizations in Israel.
In 2012 the yearly event was renamed “The Ilan Tokayer Shabbat Chayal,” dedicated to the memory of Teaneck resident Ilan Tokayer, z”l who had proudly served in the IDF but passed away upon returning to the U.S. after his service.
This year, on the Shabbat of April 28-29, Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, eight Teaneck shuls will be marking the Ilan Tokayer Shabbat Chayal together and raising funds for Lev LaChayal, the lone soldiers program at Yeshivat Hesder Lev HaTorah in Ramat Beit Shemesh. The participating shuls are Congregation Beth Aaron, Congregation Arzei Darom, Congregation Ohr Saadya, The Jewish Center of Teaneck, Young Israel of Teaneck, Congregation Shaarei Orah, Congregation Netivot Shalom and Congregation Shaare Tefilla. Other shuls in the area will be marking Shabbat Chayal and raising funds for other IDF-related organizations.
In 2002, Yeshivat Lev HaTorah opened its doors to young men from North America who wished to spend their gap year learning Torah and connecting with the land of Israel. The yeshiva’s identity is proudly Zionistic, inspiring its students in Torat Yisrael B’Medinat Yisrael. Ten years later, in 2012, students who initially came only to learn began to express their desire to actualize the ideals they learned in yeshiva and put them into action by serving in the IDF. Thus, Lev LaChayal was launched.
From modest physical facilities, Lev LaChayal was conceived as a supportive training center and the only yeshiva-centered home base for English-speaking lone soldiers. As a result of the dedication of its devoted staff, Lev HaTorah was recognized for its important role in working with lone soldiers. Subsequently, the yeshiva was awarded Hesder status by the Misrad HaBitachon, thus becoming the only Yeshivat Hesder in Israel that centers on an English-speaking student body. The Hesder concept, initiated in 1953, represents the Religious Zionist ideals of combining service in the Israeli military with religious growth and devotion to the study of Torah. Lev HaTorah’s recognition by the Hesder network serves as a significant testimony to the yeshiva’s contribution to the success of religious lone soldiers.
World Mizrachi, a global Religious Zionist Movement, whose mission includes spreading Torat Eretz Yisrael across the world and strengthening the bond between the international Jewish community and the state of Israel, saw Yeshivat Lev HaTorah as a natural partner because they share similar values and vision. Recently, World Mizrachi and Yeshivat LevHaTorah have forged a partnership in running the Lev LaChayal program.
Lev LaChayal, headed by Rav Dudi Winkler and Rav Benjy Kwalwasswer, provides a supportive yeshiva environment to young men from outside Israel who wish to join the IDF, regardless of which post-high school yeshiva they attended. In the pre-army program, the young men are provided with high-level Torah study combined with physical training, an advanced IDF-run Hebrew ulpan, and guidance in navigating through the Israeli military system from enlistment through discharge.
Yeshivat Lev HaTorah is the “home base” for the chayalim when they are not on their army base. After induction, they live in apartments near the yeshiva. Shabbat/Yom Tov meals are provided by the yeshiva, and the soldiers are often invited to meals by the local families. Every apartment has an “Av and Eim Bayit” assigned to it, staffed by married alumni of the program who themselves served in the IDF as lone soldiers. These couples fully understand the experiences of these young recruits and are available for emotional as well as physical support.
A number of Bergen County young men have been a part of and benefited from the unique Lev LaChayal program. Among them are Alex Neugroschl, Shai Gutfreund, Azi Lieber, Nafi Lieber, Ari Goldberg, David Fertig, Benji Kooijmans, Ezra Postalnek, Akiva Pudell and Naftali Pudell.
This March/April and August drafts of 2023 will see close to 35 new draftees joining the 30 soldiers already serving in the IDF from LLC. Among the locals drafting are Ezra Neugroschl and Gavriel Pudell of Congregation Beth Aaron, Abie Goldberger from Beth Aaron and Shaare Tefilla together with Yonah Weinrib from Congregation Shaare Tefilla, and Zach Amos from Congregation Shaarei Orah. Presently serving in the IDF as part of Lev LaChayal is Brian Racer from Young Israel of Teaneck, and former Teaneckers and now Israeli olim, brothers Shaya and Elie Goldberg from Congregation Bnai Yeshurun.
Brian Racer shared, “The calm atmosphere provided by the Lev LaChayal staff allows me to relax over Shabbat so that I can recover from a stressful week and prepare for the next long stretch on base.” Shaya Goldberg commented, “The Lev LaChayal program is the sole reason why I was able to draft in the first place.” Brother Elie Goldberg said, “Lev LaChayal provides the perfect ‘meeting point’ for all lone soldiers and it was the perfect platform for us all to draft as a family.”
Nechama and Steven Pudell, proud parents of two veteran lone soldiers who were assisted by Rav Winkler, even though their sons were not enrolled in the Lev LaChayal program, are very grateful for the personal guidance and care given to their sons as they went through the drafting process while studying at other yeshivot. On April 30, their youngest son Gavriel will be drafting through Lev LaChayal.
Nechama Pudell shared: “Rav Dudi is like a proud father to his lone soldiers. He not only guides them as they enter the IDF, but he goes with them to draft day, attends each milestone ceremony, and cares about their physical and psychological needs throughout their service. He can often be seen behind the wheel, shuttling ‘his guys’ to a train or bus as they return to their base. Rav Dudi often visits the bases to give chizuk and guidance and is in constant contact on WhatsApp with parents and even commanders when needed.”
Rav Benjy Kwalwasser, executive director of LLC, emphasized, “Our commitment to each and every one of these brave soldiers is to ensure that they have a home, not just a physical house, and for them to know that all of Am Yisrael stands behind them in support.”
With the continuing growth of Lev LaChayal, the new Lamm Lev LaChayal Residence is greatly needed. The groundbreaking took place on February 28, 2023. Funds raised during the upcoming Ilan Tokayer Shabbat Chayal will go directly toward furthering the construction of this new residence so that more English-speaking lone soldiers can call Lev LaChayal their home.
We encourage the entire community to support Lev LaChayal on the Ilan Tokayer, z”l Shabbat Chayal on April 28-29 by contributing through https://levlachayal.org/teaneck-shabbat-chayal/
By Pearl Markovitz and Nechama Pudell
