Last weekend Nevut hosted its annual Shabbaton in Tannersville, NY for the lone soldier veterans.
Nevut’s focus is on the wellbeing, career advancement and community connection of the lone soldier veterans as they transition from the military to civilian life. The goal of the Shabbaton is bringing the lone soldier veterans together to build community and ease the transition.
The Shabbaton was attended by 55 lone soldier veterans and spouses. It was an amazing success and was the largest Shabbaton yet.
Everyone was involved in preparing for the Shabbaton. One could see and feel the unity. The Friday night Kabbalos Shabbos with singing and dancing was uplifting, followed by the meal and farbrengen going until the early hours of the morning, with a buzzing energy throughout the day. Shabbos ended with a beautiful singing Havdallah, a Bonfire and BBQ Melaveh Malkah and Kumzitz. The weekend finished with Skiing and Snowboarding on Sunday which really topped it off.
Ruvi, a lone soldier veteran from Brooklyn, NY who served in the paratroopers, said, “It’s amazing to have this support group here to help each individual soldier through his challenges and struggles after the military.”
Rabbi Ari Abramowitz, Director of Nevut and himself a lone soldier veteran, shared these words. “Every year there are a few hundred lone soldier veterans who return home. Navigating the transition can be a more daunting task than your actual service in the IDF.”
“One day you are on the Gaza border with your unit, with riots going on day and night and experiencing life-threatening situations. The next day you cut up your Choger (Military ID Card) and take a plane back home. The experience of serving is incredible as well as challenging- doing things you may never have imagined doing. It’s an experience that is hard to explain to someone who was never there.”
“You get back home and the next question is, now what? What is my next step? I need a job. Where are my friends who understand what I’ve been through? There are some things I need to work out emotionally. So many questions and so many challenges.”
“That’s why Nevut is here! To help all the lone soldier veterans navigate through this transition. And the Shabbaton is the perfect opportunity for everyone to connect with each other, get guidance, inspiration and the push to move forward from here,” he said.
To find out more about Nevut or how you can get involved
visit Nevut.org or contact [email protected]
To donate visit Nevut.org/donate
Keep up the great work!!