DECEMBER 22 • 2022 | 15
FROM A DISTANCE
“This support group is
like a hug for moms,”
said Ariella Nadel, who
made aliyah with her
husband, Mark, in 2021
while their son Yossi
was serving in Kfir, a
combat unit. “We’ve
been through really
tough stuff together.
There have been wars,
terror attacks … but
we’re always there for
each other. We know
what it’s like to have our
kids on the front lines.”
According to the Lone Soldier center, there are approximately
7,000 Lone Soldiers who help defend the Land of Israel and its
citizens. It’s unknown exactly how many are from Detroit but,
as Fern pointed out, even from our small group of mostly Oak
Park/Southfield moms, some of whom have had more than one
child enlist, there’s quite the army representation of different
colored berets (which differentiate the units).
“It’s unbelievable,” Fern said.
“These kids are literally giving up their freedom and putting
their lives on the line,” Ariella said. “They learn a lot — respon-
sibility, loyalty to the country and their fellow soldiers and I’m
so proud and in awe of all of them. Huge kudos to all the par-
ents who let their kids join — it’s a really big deal.”
These young adults are following their dreams while their
parents, families and friends cheer them on from over 6,000
miles away.
“Our kids are quite literally becoming part of the fabric of
the modern state of Israel,” Michele Faudem said. “They’re
building Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, and that’s an experi-
ence and connection that makes them feel grounded in a way
that just doesn’t happen any other way. As their parents, we
couldn’t be prouder.”
Jordana Wolfson with her son Ari Weiss
Noah Adler, center, with his siblings and parents: mom Beth,
Ethan, Micah, Aaron and dad Avi Adler
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