Together we’ll make sure no soldier stands alone.
Friends of the Lone Soldier has provided unwavering support, care, and community for Lone Soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces since 2020. We are dedicated to ensuring their physical, emotional, and financial well-being by offering essential resources, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Through our efforts, we honor their service and commitment, fostering a global network of support that empowers Lone Soldiers and strengthens their connection to the Jewish homeland.
Our mission is simple: To ensure that no Lone Soldier stands alone by providing housing solutions, mental health support, meals, and a family-like community to those serving the State of Israel without immediate family support.
Over the past 5 years, we’ve supported more than 12,000 Lone Soldiers. By combining our partners’ long history, inclusivity, and unparalleled care, The Lone Soldier Center, our partner in Israel, continues to be a beacon of hope for Israel’s Lone Soldiers.
Lone Soldiers have served in the IDF since the 1948 War of Independence. Many left the DP Camps and were handed a gun as they arrived in Israel. Lone Soldiers are individuals serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who do not have immediate family living in Israel. They fall into several categories: New Immigrants (Olim Chadashim), Foreign Volunteers, Israeli-born Soldiers who are estranged from families or come from difficult home situations (such as orphaned or at-risk youth) leaving them without a support network during their service, and Religious Lone Soldiers (Charedi) often from ultra-Orthodox communities, who may serve without the support of their families due to differences in beliefs regarding military service.
Foreign-born
Young men and women come from all parts of the world to Israel in order to serve in the IDF. They come out of conviction to serve their people and protect the Jewish State. They leave their families abroad and come alone. They arrive to a different language and culture, without any supportive infrastructure.
Lone Soldiers come from a variety of countries, including the United States, France, Russia, Ukraine, Canada, and South America. Americans often make up a large portion of Lone Soldiers, with hundreds arriving each year.
Israeli-born
The IDF serves as Israel’s “melting pot,” It is the chance to save at-risk youth before they enter society. Those leaving the ultra-Orthodox world are literally living on the streets without a source of food, clothing, shelter or a source of income. Others, either grew up in an orphanage, foster family or worse. A handful are Muslim. Our partners in Israel assist these disenfranchised members of society, before, during and after their service.
Our programs are designed to address Lone Soldiers’ critical needs while fostering a sense of belonging and resilience.
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Housing and Stability
Our partners in Israel offer safe and welcoming housing for 150 Lone Soldiers in Jerusalem, Herzliya, and Petah Tikva. Beyond this, we provide rent assistance to help Lone Soldiers manage housing costs that exceed the stipend provided by the military. While the government offers a living stipend, it often falls short of covering basic expenses like rent, utilities, laundry, and other daily necessities. Our support bridges this gap, alleviating financial stress and enabling Lone Soldiers to focus fully on their service and well-being.
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Comprehensive Community Support
Through our partners in Israel, we provide every Lone Soldier with access to a warm and supportive community throughout their journey—starting before enlistment, continuing during active service, and extending well beyond discharge. Our holistic approach spans a full 10-year period, ensuring consistent care and guidance every step of the way.
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Round-the-Clock Care
Our partners and hundreds of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to provide immediate, 24/7 assistance, creating a vital support network that serves as a surrogate family. In 2024, expanding counseling and support services became a top priority, with a focus on emotional response and helping soldiers cope with post-trauma challenges.
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Professional Guidance and Mentorship
Our network of therapists, lawyers, accountants, mentors, and medical professionals provides expert advice and personalized support tailored to each soldier’s unique needs.
Active Campaigns
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![Soldiers holding Israeli flag outdoors]()
General Funds
Supporting Friends of the Lone Soldier (FLS) means more than making a donation—it’s a commitment to embracing a soldier in need. Each year, FLS provides vital support to over 3,500 Lone Soldiers, addressing their physical, professional, financial, and emotional well-being. For 15 years, the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin has been a lifeline for soldiers serving without family support. In the wake of the Iron Swords war and Operation Northern Arrows, requests for assistance have doubled, highlighting the urgent need for resources. Your contribution to the General Fund empowers FLS to provide essential items, sponsor community events, and deliver critical support to these brave individuals.
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![Group of smiling people in military uniforms and civilian clothing gathered around a dinner table with bread and wine.]()
Shabbat Meals
There’s no greater symbol of family, connection, and comfort than sharing a Shabbat meal. By sponsoring Shabbat meals, you bring warmth and a sense of home to Lone Soldiers who are far from their families. Your gift ensures nourishing, home-cooked meals at various levels of impact:
$18: A single Shabbat meal for one soldier.
$180: Shabbat meals for 10 soldiers.
$720: A month of Shabbat meals for 10 soldiers.
$10,000: A full year of Shabbat meals and Havdalah treats for 10 soldiers.
These meals foster community, celebrate tradition, and remind soldiers they are never alone.
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![Group of people celebrating with an Israeli flag.]()
Sponsor a Soldier
Transform a soldier’s life with a $1,800 annual sponsorship. Your support ensures they have access to a range of services designed to ease their transition into military life and beyond. This gift ensures each soldier has a dedicated personal coordinator to guide them during their service, access to an essential soldier kit with clothing and gear, and transportation assistance for travel within Israel or abroad. It also includes emergency funds for unexpected expenses, holiday and personal care packages to boost morale, and community events designed to reduce isolation. Beyond military life, the sponsorship extends up to five years of transitional support, helping soldiers navigate financial, academic, and career planning as they build their future.
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![A group of people standing in a wooded area, listening to a person wearing a red shirt and carrying a rifle. There are trees and a cloudy sky in the background.]()
Mental Health Support
FLS is dedicated to the emotional and physical well-being of Lone Soldiers, offering comprehensive support to address their unique challenges. Services include mentorship programs for emotional guidance and tailored mental health initiatives, such as therapy sessions in soldiers’ native languages. Sponsorship also funds therapeutic retreats and resilience-building workshops. At the highest levels, your support enables long-term therapy and restorative treatments, including acupuncture, massages, and mindfulness practices, helping soldiers manage the stress of service and build resilience.
$250: “Welcome to Service” Starter Kit – Prepares soldiers with essential resources for enlistment.
$1,000: Community Mentorship Program – Connects soldiers with mentors for guidance and support for 12 months.
$3,000: Mental Health Sponsor – Funds 10 therapy sessions in the soldier’s native language, including CBT, art therapy, and counseling.
$7,500: Therapeutic Support Champion – Supports workshops, retreats, and resilience-building activities for mental wellness, impacting 100 soldiers annually.
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![Three men wearing sunglasses, standing outdoors on a sunny day, surrounded by trees.]()
Housing for Soldiers
Lone Soldiers face unique financial and emotional challenges, often earning less and lacking the supportive infrastructure of a home army base. Your contribution can help bridge this gap by providing comfort packages with essentials like bedding, kitchen supplies, and other home necessities, offering a sense of stability and belonging. Additionally, your support can fund communal spaces equipped with Wi-Fi and study areas, fostering connection and reducing isolation. For a lasting impact, you can sponsor an honorary room dedication, transforming a soldier’s living space into a true home with personalized furnishings and a commemorative plaque.
$500: Soldier’s Comfort Package – Bedding, desk, and decor for a sense of home.
$1,000: Kitchen & Dining Essentials – Kosher-friendly items for communal dining.
$5,000: Community Connection Sponsor – Furnishes shared spaces with Wi-Fi and study area.
$10,000: Honorary Room Dedication – Sponsors a full room with a personalized plaque, turning a soldier’s space into a true home.
Make an impact today
Support our mission by contributing a donation.
What we do
Through our partners, we provide a "home away from home" for thousands of Lone Soldiers each year—whether new immigrants (olim chadashim), religious (ultra-Orthodox), or at-risk youth. We raise funds to meet their essential needs, including housing, community and mental health support, before, during and after their service in the Israel Defense Force (IDF).
Your Impact
We have helped to support over 15,000 Lone Soldiers to date. Your support directly enhances soldiers’ lives and strengthens their community. Together, we can provide the support they need to thrive.
For more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amy Golding, Chief Development Officer, at 484-316-0116 or agolding@friendsofthelonesoldier.org.
No soldier gets left behind.
What we offer
Holistic Support
Access to physical, mental, and emotional support through a dedicated team of social workers, psychologists, lawyers, doctors, and more, available to address every need.
Therapeutic Services
Long-term private and group therapy tailored to each soldier's requirements, offered in various languages.
Essential Supplies
Provision of clothing, toiletries, bedding, mattresses, and other items based on individual needs.
Nourishing Meals
Hot meals and food baskets to ensure proper nutrition.
Assistance with Daily Needs
Support with food, furniture, apartment moves, and other essential tasks.
Family Connections
Facilitating connections with host families to foster community.
Rehabilitation Support
Guidance and assistance for injured soldiers during their recovery process.
Financial Aid
Tailored financial support to meet each soldier's specific
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. In addition to these sponsors and partners, in November 2024, our main partner, the LSC, was awarded the prestigious Midot Mark for Effectiveness, a distinction that recognizes organizations creating meaningful social impact while maximizing the use of resources. This honor is granted following a rigorous evaluation of organizational capabilities that contribute to long-term effectiveness, focusing on the ability to drive positive change in the lives of those we serve. The Midot Mark serves as a benchmark for donors and social investors, reflecting our commitment to accountability, strategic impact, and continuous improvement.
At the Lone Soldier Center, we are dedicated to ensuring that every resource entrusted to us supports our mission to improve the lives of lone soldiers. Receiving this recognition underscores our ongoing efforts to create lasting social value for our beneficiaries.
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Yes, Friends of the Lone Soldier is a registered nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our EIN is 85-3162089.
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Not on our site, however you can donate in other currencies at https://lonesoldiercenter.com/donate.
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We encourage you to consider sponsoring a soldier for a year at $1,800, which provides comprehensive support for their needs, rather than directing assistance to a specific individual.
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Yes…see campaigns.
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Yes, email us here to receive a copy of our last report and to be added to our email list.
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Yes, we would be happy to assist with this. Please email us here so we can support you with this.
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We welcome the opportunity to partner with you in offering valuable experiences to our Lone Soldiers. Depending on the type of activity or workshop, we work closely with donors to ensure that it meets the needs and preferences of the soldiers while aligning with our mission. To learn more about how you can make this donation, please reach out to us at here, and we’d be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
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Yes, the checks should be sent to:
Friends of the Lone Soldiers
2291 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
New York, NY 10030-2877 -
Yes, you can fund us by searching Friends of The Lone Soldier Inc. Our EIN number is 85-3162089.
A Shehecheyanu Moment
We are excited to share that the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin has received has received the Midot Seal of Effectiveness - the highest standard of recognition in the nonprofit sector in Israel!
What does this mean?
The Midot Seal of Effectiveness is a quality certification awarded to nonprofits that meet the highest standards of planning, execution, measurement, and financial transparency.
For us, receiving this seal is a testament to the professional and dedicated work of the entire team, and it strengthens our commitment to continue operating with full transparency for the benefit of the lone soldiers.
On Monday evening, June 30, 2024, the Lone Soldier Center (LSC) received a call from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem requesting a meeting between visiting U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and our Lone Soldiers. The staff quickly organized, and we were honored to host Senator Fetterman, his team, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy at our Beit Hakerem Residence in Jerusalem.
This was Senator Fetterman’s first visit to Israel, and it was a privilege to have him spend an hour meeting with our soldiers. After warm welcome remarks from our CEO, Liora Rubinstein, and former Chairman Eric Sirkin, the soldiers had the chance to share their personal experiences. Senator Fetterman expressed his deep appreciation for their service and voiced genuine concerns for their well-being.
Eleven Lone Soldiers spoke about their countries of origin, their service in the IDF, their motivations for joining, and the challenges they faced before and during their time in the military. Four soldiers, who were born in Israel and came from ultra-Orthodox backgrounds, spoke through translators to ensure Senator Fetterman could understand their stories. Notably, one of the soldiers, Chaya, is from the Senator’s hometown of Pittsburgh.
A key issue raised during the discussion was the handling of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among soldiers, which Senator Fetterman was particularly concerned about. LSC advisor Tom Kreisel shared personal stories of soldiers struggling with the trauma they endure during combat. She emphasized how crucial it is to address these experiences before they worsen.
At the LSC, we are prepared to help soldiers receive the mental health support they need, working with the IDF to ensure PTSD does not go untreated. This is especially critical for Lone Soldiers who, without close family nearby, often face these challenges in isolation. The meeting underscored the importance of this issue and our commitment to supporting the mental health of our soldiers.
Friends of the Lone Soldier (FLS) is dedicated to supporting Lone Soldiers in Israel by providing essential services and fostering a sense of community throughout their military service. We ensure these soldiers receive vital care upon their arrival at our homes and clubs, including warm meals, mental health support, and necessary supplies for their field duties.
We also offer support to their families, reassuring parents overseas during uncertain times. Additionally, we assist released soldiers in their transition back to civilian life by covering rent and academic expenses during reserve duty.
Every contribution to our campaign not only aids these brave individuals but also strengthens Israeli society, demonstrating the profound impact our supporters have on the lives of these soldiers and their families. Together, we show them that they are not alone in their fight to protect our homeland.