From Lone Soldier to Lifeline: The Story of Chayal el Chayal

Q: Can you briefly share the story of how your initiative began?

A: Chayal el Chayal began in 2010 when our founder Mordy Botnick was serving in the IDF as a Lone Soldier. Mordy came to Israel from Ottawa Canada with only $20 in his pocket and a dream to serve in the IDF. The Monit sheirut dropped him off at the Machene Yehuda market because he had no address to give. He knew no one in the country. His first night he slept in a corner next to his suit case (the market used to be quiet at night).

The next morning he found a temporary place to call home in a yeshiva school nearby, until he was able to find an apartment with friends. He drafted shortly thereafter to the Netzach Yehuda Battalion.

On his weekends off there was no place to go to have shabbat dinner with friends that understood him. He felt lonely. He reached out to a few friends and they started putting together meals for other Lone Soldiers together. The first meal was only 4 friends that were off base but over time the meals grew bigger and bigger. More Lone Soldiers started to join. He invested in quality washing machines for the soldiers to use on the weekends. Slowly the meals turned into a community of Lone Soldiers helping Lone Soldiers. Today we host every week around 250 Lone Soldiers and Lone Bnot sheirut at our events and shabbat meal.

Q: What inspired you personally (or your founder / team) to step forward and start this initiative?

A: I joined the CEC team October 8th. I was working at the ministry of finance when the war broke out. I had been to CEC during my service in 2013 and developed a friendship with Mordy. I immediately reached out and asked him how I can help. He was starting an emergency war room I spent all my free time volunteering by assisting him get supplies to the soldiers on the frontlines. After a while I quit my job at the ministry of finance and joined the CEC team full time.

Q: How have volunteers and supporters played a role in your work so far?

A: CEC has a skeleton staff, almost all of us are former Lone Soldiers. Most of our events and meals can only happen with the help of amazing volunteers. (One of our volunteers just got engaged to one of the Lone Soldiers they met at a shabbat meal).

Q: ⁠What has been particularly challenging in your work — and has there been anything that has come more easily than you expected?

A: Our biggest challenge is being there for the soldiers during the hard times. Its easy to talk with the Soldiers when everything is going good and exciting. However, after seeing war it can take its toll and our staff are there for the Lone Soldiers during the good times and through the bad. It's very painful to see these strong brave heroes who gave up so much, have to deal with such pain. We try connecting them with professional help but nevertheless its very painful to watch them struggle.

Q: Looking ahead, what impact do you hope your organization will continue to make for Israelis and for the volunteer community?

A: This year we have grown leaps and bounds as more and more Lone Soldiers hear about us. We served over 11,000 shabbat and chag meals, had 50+ BBQs, visited over 200 bases, attended 65 ceremonies and much more. We hope this coming year we will continue to grow and be there for the Lone Soldiers