ing a lone soldier is one of the most rewarding things she could have ever done
with her life. Working with The Michael
Levin Lone Soldier Center, which she said
“has had a tremendous amount of positive influence”, Emily hoped to network
with other soldiers who have completed
their service as lone soldiers, and those
who are currently serving.
The Lone Soldier Center sat down with
Emily and spoke to her before her enrolment. When they asked her what job she
wanted, she mentioned something very
specific, which most of the people she had
spoken to before enlisting told her to forget about. With no lack of ambition, Emily aimed for her dream job in the IDF, and
thanks to connections the centre has, she
got her job of choice.
Having recently completed a master’s
degree in diplomacy and conflict resolution, Emily wanted to put her knowledge
to good use, and therefore requested a job
in the IDF Foreign Relations office. More
specifically than that, Emily wanted to focus her work on Jordan.
“I wanted to work with a neighbouring
country, as it is more of a hands-on experience than working with a distant foreign body such as the EU, US or Russia.
Jordan is the country that we have an actual relationship with currently, and I
wanted to help build and foster that,”
Emily explained of her choice.
She pointed to two major life lessons
that she has learned during her service.
“The first lesson you learn is to go with
the flow. As much you think that you are
in control of things, in the army, you really aren’t, and sometimes trying to control
them will get you into much more trouble
and make things more difficult than they
need to be.”
The second lesson, she explained, is
“how I can pretty much bond with anyone
when I put my mind to it”.
“I bonded with my fellow soldiers. It
took me a long time to do so, and at first
it was quite hard to find things in common with 19-year-olds. I am on the opposite side of the spectrum from these
young girls, who are just out of high
school. Learning to find a connection
with anyone, no matter how different
they are, is now something that I know I
can do. After you work with someone,
22 JEWISH LIFE n ISSUE 83
Coming from the outside, knowing that people all
over the world are supporting her and her fellow
soldiers, has left a deep impression on Emily.
sleep next to them, shower with them,
and pretty much be with them all the
time, you build a relationship with them.”
As a lone soldier originally from the
United States, Emily said that now, as a
soldier of the IDF, she really understands
the magnitude of assistance the army receives from foreign sponsors. Coming
from the outside, knowing that people all
over the world are supporting her and her
fellow soldiers, has left a deep impression
on Emily.
“I come from a family that donates to
the IDF. As American Jews living in the
Diaspora, it was important for us to donate in any way we could. I now see that
these donations are much more important to me than they have ever been.
“Seeing buildings and equipment donated by people who don’t even live in
this country gives us a sense of appreciation for those who feel connected, and a
lot of amenities wouldn’t be available
without their help. It is really gratifying
that there are a lot of people out there
who want to help us and help the Jewish
State and their military. I know that serving in the military is not the only way to
help out, and we appreciate all the help
from our friends who donate to the IDF
worldwide,” Emily added.
“I think for the native Israelis, who see
the plaques and the names on buildings
of people from around the world who donate money to the IDF, it strikes them as
a little bizarre. It is strange for them to
try to understand the connection that the
Diaspora Jews and Christian Zionists
have for them. These ideas are atypical
and distant for them, but they are all
equally grateful for the donations and the
help in any shape or form.”
One organisation, LIBI, works tirelessly
to provide for soldiers of the IDF. Whether
it is donating winter clothing to soldiers or
handing out mishloach manot [traditional
baskets handed out during the Purim holiday], LIBI wants soldiers to know they are
not alone. With donations from all around
the world, LIBI’s mission is to make soldiers their number-one priority.
Emily explained that donations to the
IDF teach another important lesson to
the soldiers. “Sometimes, Israeli soldiers
grow up learning the narrative that ‘the
rest of the world hates us’. The biggest
lesson we, as soldiers, take from these donations and outside support is the proof
of the