A Journey of Bravery: Lone Soldier Mark
A Journey of Bravery: Lone Soldier Mark
In Mark words,"This is a photo of me receiving my beret after completing
our final masa (trek), over 50 kilometers across northern Israel in the middle of the
night, ending at sunrise as we finished climbing up Har Shaul near Beit Shean.
This was essentially my official entry point into the Golani Brigade as a combat
solider."
Mark is a Lone Soldier, meaning he serves in the IDF without immediate family in Israel. He arrived in Israel during the COVID lockdowns, leaving college to work on kibbutz farms, and later made Aliyah. Mark was drafted into the Golani Brigade in August 2023 and was still in basic training when the war began on October 7. He went on to serve as a combat soldier on the front lines of one of Israel’s most challenging wars, spending nearly a year on the northern border with Lebanon before completing his service on the Gaza border.
In his own words:
"My name is Mark, and I’m a Lone Soldier in the IDF. My journey to Israel started during the COVID lockdowns, in which I decided to drop out of college to instead go work on some farms in the kibbutzim for sake of a healthier and more peaceful lifestyle. After spending several months in Israel as a tourist (and even overstaying my visa), I decided to officially make Aliyah and become an Israeli citizen. My goal was to draft to the IDF, as I figured this was the best way to truly become a part of Israeli society as an American kid who normally isn’t seen outside of the average Birthright trip. I drafted to the Golani brigade in August 2023, and found myself in the middle of basic training when the war broke out on October 7. From there, I had a very intense experience as a combat soldier on the front lines of one of Israel’s most difficult wars, serving almost a year on the northern border with Lebanon and finishing off my serve on the border with Gaza."
December 14 | 2:00 p.m.
JCC Multi-Purpose Room.
A light lunch will be served.
Cost: $5
RSVP to Nancy by December 12 via email or calling: nsentelik@jewishyoungstown.org | 330.746.3250 ext. 108
