Mission and Vision
HaGesher HaBayita serves to eliminate the gap felt by released Israel Defense Force lone soldiers upon their return home from service. Through providing meaningful programming, resources and guidance to discharged Israel Defense Force lone soldiers, HaGesher HaBayita will instill confidence in one's choice to join the IDF, as well as create a needed sense of closure and direction to lone soldiers returning home.
“Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh.” This Hebrew phrase translates to, “All Jews are responsible for one another” and is central in our belief system. Israel Defense Force (IDF) lone soldiers, defined as soldiers without any immediate family in Israel, put their lives on the line daily to fulfill this Jewish value by protecting the Jewish homeland. It’s now time that we ensure that they are taken care of before and long after their discharge from service.
As a former IDF lone soldier, I know first-hand how isolating it was to have such a strong desire to serve Israel and the Jewish people, albeit being an American Jew. Few people understand this desire and can help guide you on the complicated path of becoming a lone soldier. It was not until meeting other prospective lone soldiers did I feel a sense of connection, community, and purpose.
Likewise, upon completion of military service, I returned to Chicago to start my life as a veteran, assuming that my experience in the IDF would provide purpose for the remainder of my life. I returned home from my service, after experiencing combat firsthand, pushing myself to the extreme both physically and mentally, only to return home to my unchanged childhood home and speaking to elementary-aged classrooms on my experience. While it was a nice gratification of my service, I felt like a toy soldier, knowing I did not experience all that I did only to glorify the IDF and be a “token lone soldier”. I felt lost, confused, and lacked direction, as I had now left a place that provided purpose, organization, and direction, which was the military.
It is difficult enough to transition from the military to civilian lifestyle. It is near impossible to successfully transition when you are not considered a veteran of the United States (or your country of origin) and receive none of the benefits veterans of the American Armed Forces receive. Lone soldiers who return to the states struggle to connect with others, talk about their experience, and find others who are in the same situation. Imagine all the slogans about supporting our veterans after they finish their service etc. Now imagine those same veterans who come home from abroad and receive no benefits or support groups. This is the reality for IDF lone soldier veterans. HaGesher HaBayita - The Bridge Home will serve as a place for lone soldier veterans to connect with others who were in their same situation, who can relate and form meaningful connections that only people who served in the military will be able to understand.