JLIC Herzliya is proud to be home to many lone soldiers who have made Israel their home and who have chosen to serve their country with dedication, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the Jewish people. These remarkable individuals have left behind their familiar lives to defend and protect the homeland, embodying the spirit of Zionism and Jewish solidarity.
At the heart of Herzliya’s Jewish community, JLIC is a beacon of support for soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and completing their milium service. Rav Ben and Ellie Menora are deeply committed to the community’s well-being, creating innovative initiatives that go far beyond traditional community outreach.
“As someone who has walked the path of military service, I understand that being a soldier is more than just wearing a uniform. It’s about carrying the weight of responsibility, the emotional complexity of protecting your people, and the profound journey of personal transformation. Our goal at JLIC Herzliya isn’t just to support these incredible young men and women during their service, but to create a genuine community that sees them—truly sees them—in all their humanity. We’re here to provide not just a meal or a learning session, but a place of genuine connection, where their experiences are honored, their struggles are understood, and their spiritual growth is nurtured. Each soldier who comes through our doors isn’t just a participant, but a cherished member of our community, with a unique story of courage and commitment that deserves to be heard and celebrated.”
As an IDF veteran who has completed numerous tours of milium himself, Rav Ben understands the unique challenges faced by soldiers transitioning between military service and civilian life. Together with Ellie, he is developing meaningful programs designed to provide comprehensive support—addressing both the physical and emotional needs of these dedicated service members.
A Warm Welcome Home
One of their most impactful initiatives is a community WhatsApp chat specifically for lone soldiers. Through this platform, Rav Ben and Ellie extend a personal invitation to breakfast and brunch meet ups, creating a space where soldiers can connect, share experiences, and find a sense of belonging. The vision is expansive—potentially evolving into regular Shabbat meals where soldiers can drop in without any formalities, knowing they will be welcomed with open arms and genuine care.
Personal Connection through Torah Learning
Rav Ben’s approach to support is deeply personal and individualized. He is investing significant time learning with community members in small groups and one-on-one settings, carefully tailoring conversations to their specific life experiences and spiritual journeys.
The depth of these learning sessions goes beyond traditional text study. For instance, with a recently discharged elite combat unit soldier, the Torah learning has become a transformative process of personal and spiritual reconstruction. What begins as an exploration of Jewish ritual objects like tzitzit and tefillin becomes a profound journey of meaning-making. Together, they delve into the spiritual significance of these mitzvot, connecting the soldier’s military discipline with spiritual growth.
In these sessions, Rav Ben helps soldiers understand how the values of sacrifice, commitment, and brotherhood they learned in the IDF can be translated into a deeper spiritual practice. They explore how the precision and dedication required in military service mirror the careful study and observance of Jewish law. For some soldiers, this becomes a path of healing, helping them process the intense experiences of military service through the lens of Torah wisdom.
Processing Current Realities
Recognizing the emotional complexity of the current moment, Rav Ben is facilitating deeply meaningful learning sessions with a group of Golani soldiers. These are not mere academic discussions, but powerful encounters of collective processing and spiritual resilience.
The current focus on the halachah of redeeming captives is particularly poignant. Given that many of these soldiers have directly experienced the current conflict, their learning becomes a form of collective trauma processing. They are exploring ancient Jewish legal traditions of pidyon shevuyim (redemption of captives) not just as an abstract concept, but as a living, breathing reality that connects directly to their recent experiences.
These sessions create a sacred space where soldiers can articulate their emotions, wrestle with challenging philosophical and ethical questions, and find communal support. Rav Ben guides them through text study that validates their experiences, provides perspective, and offers a framework for understanding their role in the broader narrative of Jewish history and survival.
More Than Just Support
What distinguishes JLIC Herzliya is not just the practical support, but the genuine human connection. Rav Ben and Ellie Menora are creating a community that understands that supporting soldiers means seeing them as whole individuals—warriors, learners, spiritual seekers, and most importantly, valued community members.
Through these ongoing initiatives, JLIC Herzliya is demonstrating that true community support is about creating spaces of healing, growth, and connection—especially for those who have sacrificed so much for their country and people.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about JLIC and or to support our programming.
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