Female lone soldiers make up 30 percent of the population of lone soldiers, many even serving in combat roles in the IDF. The Lone Soldier Center in Jerusalem decided to treat these brave young women to their first ever Spa Night, providing an evening of decadence and pampering.
Over 60 female lone soldiers attended the Spa Night from Zimbabwe, Portugal, Brazil, United States, Canada and many other countries from around the world.
The event hosted volunteers that included professional masseuses, facialists, reflexologists, manicurists, yoga and meditation specialist, hair stylists, eyebrow specialists and professional makeup artists.
These young women were treated to an incredible buffet including delicious wraps and salads, homemade hot soups, decadent chocolates and fresh fruit smoothies made on the spot. In addition there was a full dessert bar baked by the Israeli community of Chashmonaim.
Ceremonie Teas donated a full tea station of their flavorful gourmet teas.
Devorah Wolf from Devorah Cosmetics helped organize the event and provided the women with makeup tutorials and glam sessions.
Many lone soldiers shared that they could never afford these treatments on their army salary. Other soldiers expressed their gratitude to be pampered and cared for and that to be able to feel like a young woman and not a soldier for a couple of hours was an incredible gift especially since they never have time for even the simplest haircut.
Faigy Smulowitz, a commander in a combat unit from Jackson, New Jersey, remarked, “It’s just so cool that people care enough that they would do this for us. People actually went out and left their families and kids at home to do this for just for us.”
Alex Lando, a combat soldier in the Search and Rescue unit from West Orange and a Kushner graduate, added, “This is the kind of night we never really get because we are working really hard all day and we are not really treated like women. We are treated just like all the other soldiers, like everyone else. But this is a chance to relax and take a step back and it’s really amazing.”
And what spa evening would be complete without gift bags?
These lucky lone soldiers received three gift bags including makeup brush kits, cleaners and facial creams all courtesy of Devorah Wolf from Devorah Cosmetics and Christina products.
They also all received Laline products courtesy of Shera and Doug Dubitsky, parents of Ma’ayanot graduate Sophie, a current lone soldier and explosives instructor.
Sophie summed up the evening best. “It’s just so comforting to know that other communities are here for us and supporting us no matter how far away we are… And it was just so incredible to feel pampered and feel like a young woman again, even if it was for just a couple of hours.”
For more information on The Lone Soldier Center and their many projects visit thelonesoldiercenter.com.
By Esti Rosen Snukal
Esti Rosen Snukal made aliyah with her family six years ago from Teaneck. Esti is an active volunteer at the Lone Soldier Center co-ordinating many different fundraising projects and events. Esti can be reached at [email protected].
