IDF’s lone soldiers in spotlight at Nov. 17 talk

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Ari Kalker (right) with a lone soldier. /Ari KalkerAri Kalker (right) with a lone soldier. /Ari Kalker

More than 6,000 lone soldiers from 52 countries serve in the Israel Defense Forces, and almost a third of them are from the U.S.

On Nov. 17, Ari Kalker will speak at Pawtucket’s Congregation Ohawe Shalom about the IDF’s lone soldiers and the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin, as part of an effort to raise support and awareness.

The center was founded in 2009 and has four branches in Israel. Lone soldiers are soldiers in the IDF with no family in Israel to offer support. 

Kalker, who lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two children, is originally from New York. He made aliyah after high school and served in a Special Forces infantry unit from 2003 to 2007. He holds the rank of lieutenant and is a commander in a Special Forces reserve unit.

A former lone soldier himself, and one of Michael Levin’s roommates, Kalker is one of the founders of the Lone Soldier Center.  

“We are an organization of former lone soldiers helping current lone soldiers,” Kalker explains. “We founded the organization on Michael Levine’s dream and vision, and hope to truly fulfill our motto: ‘Lone soldiers are no longer alone.’ We provide a social group, counseling and support to lone soldiers before, during and after their army service.”

IDF soldiers are given leave for Shabbat usually at least twice each month, but lone soldiers often have no family or community to return to. That’s where the center comes in, supporting lone soldiers with caring volunteers and events.    

According to Kalker, “Lone soldiers arrive in Israel with a strong ideological drive and a desire to serve, contribute and succeed. High numbers of lone soldiers volunteer for combat roles and advance to be commanders and officers.

“We build a family and diverse community of lone soldiers, so that they will be included and supported and will succeed in adjusting to life in Israel.”

Ari Kalker will speak at Congregation Ohawe Shalom, 671 East Ave., Pawtucket, on Tuesday, Nov.  17, at 7 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public.

SHAI AFSAI lives in Providence and can be reached at ggbi@juno.com.