Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at thejewishnews.com

62 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J
N

Women in the IDF
O

n Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the heinous surprise Hamas 
attack that killed 1,200 innocent Israelis and friends 
from abroad, a question was unequivocally answered. 
Anyone who had previously doubted the courage or skill of 
female combat soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could 
no longer hold these opinions. 
On that horrible day, all-female tank crews responded to the 
crisis. The IDF issued a statement that this was 
the first time among Western armed forces that 
tanks operated by women engaged in combat. 
These “tankers” fought Hamas terrorists for 17 
straight hours, performing with distinction, sav-
ing lives. 
Since then, female soldiers have been directly 
engaged in the war on Hamas. For example, women in the 
famous Golani infantry brigade are playing a critical role. The 
“guardian angels” of the Golani’s 13th Battalion are female IDF 
reserve soldiers who operate the Sky Rider drone unit, or its “eyes in the 
sky.” Many lives depend upon their efforts. In modern warfare, electronic 
intelligence is crucial for the well-being of soldiers. Using aerial drones, these 
women provide the infantry with a real-time picture of the combat environ-
ment. They also dispatch reinforcements, call in artillery strikes and helicop-
ters as needed. It’s a heavy responsibility.
Referring to their success, on Nov. 28, 2023, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halvi 
stated: “
As you know, in recent years there has been a debate in Israel about 
whether women should serve in combat units … I think that in this case we 
received an answer without words, an answer through action and struggle.” 
To be sure, the question of female soldiers in combat was actually answered 
a long time ago in Israel. During the desperate times of Israel’s 1948 War of 
Independence, women grabbed whatever weapons were at hand and rushed 
to the front, which was easy to find in 1948. Israel was attacked on all sides 
and throughout the land, and the front might be just outside the door to one’s 
home.
Women, like Israeli men, are subject to mandatory conscription into the 
IDF, but their full integration into combat units is a recent development. 
Women, however, encountered a gauntlet of obstructions including from 
such groups as ultra-Orthodox rabbis and religiously observant soldiers.
I dove into the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History to research women in the 
IDF. I found many interesting stories.
My first impression was … wow! A lot of young Detroit women joined the IDF as Lone Soldiers (see my Looking Back in the Jan. 18 
JN about Lone Soldiers). The May 1, 2014, JN had a cover story about Lone Soldiers. Inside, is a photo of a friend, Stephanie Horwitz, 
who joined the IDF and became a tank gunnery trainer. The May 5, 2016, JN featured Andrea Goldstein and Laurenne Kaufman who 
had joined the IDF a year earlier. All three soldiers are from West Bloomfield.
Gaining respect in the IDF is not always an easy task. In a fine article, “In Combat,” Yael Kindron, also from West Bloomfield, 
addresses some of the challenges women face in the IDF (Aug. 18, 2018).
Women in the IDF have come a long way in 75 years. They have always done their part to defend Israel, including combat, while 
overcoming bias that men do not face. Their military record is admirable. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN archives, available for free at thejewishnews.com.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

To be sure, the question of female soldiers in combat was actually answered 

and throughout the land, and the front might be just outside the door to one’s 

My first impression was … wow! A lot of young Detroit women joined the IDF as Lone Soldiers (see my Looking Back in the Jan. 18 

Women in the IDF

n Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the heinous surprise Hamas 

from abroad, a question was unequivocally answered. 

female combat soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could 

engaged in the war on Hamas. For example, women in the 

