Twin brothers intending to enlist in an elite IDF unit were among the 48 new immigrants from across North America who landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on an El Al Airlines flight last week.
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The group arrived in Israel with the help of Nefesh B'Nefesh, which is marking its 20th anniversary this summer, and in cooperation with the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA.
Ari and Ron, 18, are required to serve in the IDF. Their hope is to be drafted into the Israeli Navy's Shayetet 13 commando unit. Wherever they serve, they will be considered "lone soldiers" and supported by Nefesh B'Nefesh Lone Soldiers program.
Ron and Ari were born in New York to Israeli parents. A competitive swimmer, Ari was ranked 10th in the US in the butterfly and broke a world record in the CrossFit "Murph" workout. For four years, Ron was part of a rowing team that was ranked among the top 10 teams in New York.
"We grew up in a very Zionist home and, despite the geographical distance, we were instilled with a deep love for the country and Jewish homeland," Ari and Rosaidn.
"We also have a sister who's studying medicine in Israel. Both our parents served in the army. Our father was a soldier and an officer in one of the IDF's commando units, but he told us his dream had always been to serve in Shayetet 13. After looking at all the options, we decided that the Navy is where we want to be," they said.
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, said, "These two brothers are truly inspiring, and I am sure that they will go far during their required military service and become assets to Israel's security. Our program is geared to care for all the IDF lone soldiers, including these special brothers, throughout their mandatory military service and beyond."
"We're inspired by the dedication of Ari and Ron and are so proud of them for contributing some of the best years of their life to defend the Jewish State. FIDF will support them, as we do all Lone Soldiers, throughout every step of their service," said Steven Weil, CEO of the Friends of the IDF organization.
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