Help us give Lone Soldiers a necessary experience before they join the ranks of the IDF

What is Growing Wings?

Growing Wings is a non-profit initiative created by veteran Lone Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces for the next generation of Lone Soldiers. A “Lone Soldier”, is a status given to soldiers coming from overseas without their family to volunteer for military service in Israel.

Minding the Gap

Our interest in starting such a program began during our IDF service after learning that Israeli high school students travel to Poland prior to their service, an opportunity currently not available to most Lone Soldiers. As a result Israelis enter the army with a more complete understanding of the importance of Israel and the remarkable history of the Jewish people. Growing Wings wants to provide this educational opportunity to those who leave their homes and move to Israel with the purpose of serving in the IDF.

Filling the Gap

Our goal is to create a better future for the next generation of Lone Soldiers through a journey into the past. Lone Soldiers come to Israel for a variety of reasons including, most importantly, to defend Israel and the Jewish people.  This program will provide them with a greater sense of the purpose of their role in the IDF and create a stronger bond with Israel and their fellow Israeli soldiers. We will fill the void among Lone Soldiers and their Israeli counterpart, to unite the protectors of Israel.

Digging Deeper

The term “Lone Soldier” tends to have negative implications. It is true many Lone Soldiers lack a crucial support system during their intense service, which can make their service more lonely and difficult.  This program will provide Lone Soldiers an opportunity to meet others who have the same goal-to protect Israel. The program will attempt to foster a sense of community and family among the Lone Soldiers.

Digging Even Deeper

As the idea developed, the realization came about that, aside from taking individuals on a mission to explore the past, the future is of great importance. Therefore, we decided to group our soldiers with mentors (veteran Lone Soldiers) who will guide them through the trip, and become a body to turn to throughout their service. Who knows more about the struggles and pain endured in the military service than those who went through it themselves, and that is why we believe they can be of great value to those who are in their service.

The Facts

Growing Wings operates under the auspices of the “Jewish Agency for Israel” specifically the Agencies’ “Wings” program, which supports the Lone Soldier community in Israel. The cost of sending one soldier on this trip would be approximately $2000. We hope to bring groups of 18 soldiers at a time. Our goal is to raise $55,000 dollars for the initial “Pilot” trip. This amount will cover the complete cost of the preparatory seminars in israel as well as the trip itself, which will include 18 participants, 5 mentors, 1 tour guide, the 3 Co-founders, and a professional videographer. Every contribution is critical and will be put towards the “Pilot” trip.

The Trip

Costs Breakdown:

3 participant and 1 mentor preparatory seminars:

-Transportation

-Food

-Venue

-Miscellaneous materials(Books, Writing equipment)

Warm clothing

The trip itself:

-Airfare

-Tour Guide

-Transportation

-Entrance to sites

-Hotels

-Food

-Security

-Insurance

-Miscellaneous materials (Books,Writing equipment, etc.)

What the Community Thinks:

The Founders

Max, Yuval, and Roy, the founders of Growing Wings, who were all fortunate to lead and partake in delegations to Poland, felt the empowering experience should lead those who will defend the Nation of Israel, in their first steps to do so.

Here’s what our community feels about this idea:

Staff Sergeant Avioz Hanan

My name is Avioz Hanan – I am originally from Teaneck, NJ and I served as a lone soldier in the IDF. Growing up in a Jewish home and community, I attended Solomon Schechter schools my entire life. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Poland with my 12th grade class and experience Jewish History like I never had before.  We spent 8 days traveling around the country seeing not only concentration camps, but also towns and communities that once flourished with vibrant Jewish life.

Several years later, I made Aliya to join the IDF and proudly served in a combat unit. The contrast of the two experiences is dramatic to say the least. Thinking back to my time in Poland, one thought that kept coming up was “if only they had the means to have fought back…” and I would imagine myself as a soldier of the Israel Defense Forces, ready to confront any possible threat that the people of Israel may face.

The trip to Poland exposed me to some of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust as well as to the prosperous Jewish life and culture that existed before.  It was an educational experience that strengthened my connection to the Jewish people and ultimately led to me decision to serve in the IDF.

After my service, I once again travelled with the Solomon Schechter School to Poland, but this time as a mentor to the 12th graders. I had come full circle – from my first trip to Poland when I imagined what it would be like to be a soldier in the IDF, and coming back there proud of what I, and the Jewish people, have accomplished.

Growing Wings will give soon-to-be lone soldiers an opportunity of a lifetime, connecting them even more so to their Jewish roots and giving a deeper meaning and understanding to the upcoming journey on which they are about to embark. More so, it will provide them a community with which they will go through this journey. All of the participants will have shared these times together, the trip to Poland bringing them together and their experiences from the army keeping them close.

Lieutenant Amit 

“The journey to Poland was a moving experience that has rooted me even more deeply in my Jewish identity. Together with other officers from different branches of the military we listened to the unimaginably horrific testimonies of the holocaust survivors who guided us on the journey. Walking through the land marks that symbolize a monumental chapter in our history was touching and gave me more motivation to serve my part in protecting the Jewish nation. The strength we presented as soldiers in uniform in the land where our existence was put in danger, was powerful. I feel the journey has helped shape and bring to life my own family’s history.”

Staff Sergeant Yuval Hadari

Staff Sergeant Maxwell Long

When I made Aliyah in 2015 I expected a level of difficulty that would surpass any challenge to date. I moved to Israel with no family, no knowledge of Hebrew, and no understanding of the culture with the goal of enlisting into the Israel Defense Forces. It seemed impossible but I approached each task head on and was determined to succeed. My experiences consisted of a rollercoaster of ups and downs, however, the one point of consistency, was my community. A community of other Lone Soldiers from the North East region of the United States. Over time they became my family, and they became a major part of my connection to Israel. I served as a Lone Soldier in the Special Forces unit, Yahalom. I was the only Lone Soldier on a team of Israelis. Serving with Israelis, and no other foreigners like myself, was an experience many Lone Soldiers don’t get and this is how the concept of Growing Wings was formed. The idea for Growing Wings came about after learning of an opportunity most Israelis have to visit Poland in their final year of High School, before they draft to the army. I felt this important experience should be extended to all those joining the IDF, including Lone Soldiers. My first time in Poland was after my army service, as a counselor for high school students, and it helped me to further develop the vision behind Growing Wings. I believe visiting Poland is a critical part of pre-army preparation for Soldiers, to show them the harsh reality that was, and the importance of serving and defending the State of Israel. Furthermore, this trip will be a building block, to form new relationships, and eventually create a community among the soldiers, so they can share their experiences with others like them. My ultimate goal is that regardless of the family you do or don’t have in Israel, that you will have a community, I want to ensure that no Lone Soldier will ever actually feel alone.

When I made Aliyah in 2015 I expected a level of difficulty  it to be difficult. I moved there with no family, no knowledge of Hebrew, and no understanding of the culture. What I did have, however, was a community. A community of other Lone Soldiers from the North East region of the United States. Over time we became a family, and they became a major part of my connection to Israel. I served as a Lone Soldier in the unit, Yahalom. I was the only Lone Soldier on a team of Israelis. Serving with Israelis, and no other foreigners like myself, was an experience many Lone Soldiers don’t have and this is how the concept of Growing Wings was formed. The idea for Growing Wings came about after learning of an opportunity Israelis have to visit Poland in their final year of High School, before they draft to the army. I felt this important experience should be extended to all those joining the IDF, including Lone Soldiers. My first time in Poland was after my army service, and it helped me to further develop the vision behind Growing Wings. I believe visiting Poland is a critical part of the pre-army preparation for Soldiers, to show them the harsh reality that was, and the importance of defending the State of Israel. Furthermore, this trip will be a building block in the formation of relationships, and eventually a community among the soldiers, so they can share their unique experience with others like them.

Roy Milstein

Tal Bluevise

Opher Leor