NJ lone soldier among guests of honor at Livingston shabbaton hosted by FIDF.
(Courtesy of FIDF) More than 350 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) supporters from Livingston came out on May 25 to celebrate and learn from a group of IDF soldiers and dignitaries. The event was part of a shabbaton hosted by the Suburban Torah Center in Livingston on behalf of the Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Among the honorees was a lone soldier from New Jersey.
The theme of the weekend events was “The IDF: Shaping the Future of Israel.” Guests saluted and honored three soldiers and heard firsthand how significant the support of the Livingston community is in helping to shape the lives of soldiers—and better the State of Israel—through an array of life-changing programs and initiatives offered by the FIDF.
Among the sessions included in the weekend-long program were: Navigating a Complicated World: Israel and the IDF in the Face of the Shia-Sunni and Ukrainian-Russian Conflicts; Modern Day Priests; Operation “Break the Wave to Combat Terror; and a special Teen seudat shlishit with IDF soldiers.
“It was an honor and pleasure to host the FIDF and raise awareness for the incredible work they do on behalf of Israel’s soldiers,” said Rabbi James Proops of Synagogue of Suburban Torah. “It was an inspiring, educational and an incredible opportunity for our community to come together in support of an important and meaningful cause.”
Three soldiers were in attendance and shared their personal stories:
Lt. Hayley, a Lone Soldier from New Jersey, described her experience with antisemitism on her college campus, which prompted her to serve. She spoke about her involvement in Operation Guardian of the Walls, during which she dodged a nearby missile which shattered her home. Additionally, Hayley detailed the abundant support she and other Lone Soldiers received from FIDF throughout their service.
Lt. Opal, welfare officer for the 405th Battalion in the Artillery Corps, is the great-granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor who escaped the Nazis on three different occasions. Opal shared stories of her family’s incredible heroism as well as her own experience as a welfare officer. She also spoke about the deeply meaningful nature of her service, which is made possible by support from the FIDF, specifically, the Dignity program.
Sgt. T is a combat paramedic in the elite Duvdevan counter-terrorism unit. His split-second decision under fire saved the lives of two of his unit’s soldiers. Sgt. T described this terrifying mission and how the IDF training he underwent prepared him for this moment. He also spoke about the FIDF-funded facilities that enabled him to excel when lives hung in the balance.
Other guests of honor included FIDF CEO Rabbi Steven Weil and FIDF National Director Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan.
“The love and support that the Livingston community has given to these young men and women, who put themselves in harm’s way to defend Israel and the Jewish world, has been overwhelming,” said Weil. “We appreciate the emotional, financial and moral support we have received towards the education and welfare of the IDF soldiers.”
