Last month, a young couple got married in Israel. This isn’t particularly newsworthy; each month hundreds of Israeli couples tie the knot. However, this couple’s story was different. The groom was a lone soldier from South Africa, and the wedding was partially funded by Emek Lone Soldiers, an organization that provides lone soldiers with religious and emotional support.
The Emek Learning Center in Jerusalem is a shul, beit midrash and community center for English-speaking rabbinical students studying for the Israeli Rabbanut examination. Founded by Rav Shalom Myers, the Emek Learning Center fills an important gap in Israeli society. Rav Myers recognized that many of his students were lone soldiers and lacked the support their native colleagues took for granted. He added Friday-night dinners to his program, began helping former lone soldiers find apartments and began mentoring them for their post-army life. This led to the founding of Emek Lone Soldiers.
About six years ago, Shachar, a government-funded organization, asked Rav Myers to provide guidance to the 350 charedi soldiers they support each year. Many of these soldiers lack family support, and Rav Myers took on the challenge. He visits his soldiers every week to learn with them, BBQ together and talk about life and the challenges they face.
However, it is post-army support that these soldiers need most. They need help with continuing their Jewish learning, finding shidduchim and moving into mainstream Israeli society. Many lack secondary education, while some never completed elementary school.
The Israeli army tests soldiers during the last three months of their service to determine their aptitudes. Due to their lack of math and language skills, many of Rav Myers’ students fare poorly on the exam. Rav Myers approached the Feuerstein Institute, which tests inherent cognitive skills and asked them to test 11 of his soldiers. The results showed that all 11 had the potential to pursue academic interests. Rav Myers found a mentor for each of his soldiers to help guide their career while offering evening shiurim in the Emek Learning Center.
Yosef, a charedi soldier from Tiveria, was an outstanding yeshiva student. Over time, he stopped feeling fulfillment in the environment and joined Tomer Givati, a charedi unit. After serving his time in the army, he spent the next four years working as an airport security guard. He had no direction, goals or prospects. Desperate, he contacted Shachar, who recommended the Emek program. Rav Myers had him tested and discovered his unique skill set. Today, Yosef is a college student who studies in the Emek beit midrash regularly.
As a former chaplain in the South African army, Rav Myers brings a military perspective to his role. He also spent a number of years working with baalei teshuvah at the Or Sameach yeshiva. Along the way, he became interested in helping those who were born religious stay on the path.
That interest turned into Emek Learning Center and Emek Lone Soldiers. He wants to be there for them during their most vulnerable times and help them find their way in the army and in the world.
“We do what is called ‘Livui,’” said Rav Myers. “We accompany them on their military journey—before, during and after they serve. We visit them on the bases constantly, we give shiurim, we have one-on-one contact with them, and we also provide food and even dance with them on the bases to inspire them and to make them feel wonderful, which they really are. We also have apartments for the lone soldiers in our area, and they are connected to our community.”
Emek’s goal is to provide this Livui to as many lone soldiers as possible, so they are better soldiers, maximizing their own service for themselves, the IDF and the Jewish People.
To donate to Emek, visit www.emeklonesoldiers.com.
