HaBayit
Shel Benji is named for Benji Hillman, a British-born IDF soldier who
fell in the 2006 Second Lebanon War. It now hosts 50 lone soldiers.
Benji Hillman
Benji
Hillman and the rest of his family immigrated to Israel from London in
1983. He joined the Israel Defense Forces in 1998, going on to serve as
an officer. Benji was sent to the front lines during the Second Lebanon
War. Three weeks after his wedding, he fell in combat.
Years
later, his parents decided to commemorate his life by founding HaBayit
Shel Benji – Hebrew for “Benji’s house” – a home for IDF combat lone
soldiers. This brand-new housing complex, located in Ra’anana, provides
lone soldiers with food, housing, friends and support. In other words, a
home away from home.
Each
one of the 50 soldiers living at HaBayit Shel Benji receives a private
room for the entire duration of his or her army service. The building
features a large living room and lounge, equipped with video game
consoles and board games, giving the soldiers a place to unwind after a
stressful week.
“Before
coming here, I moved so many times. My bags were always packed and I
was usually alone,” one of the soldiers explains. “Now, I’m actually
excited for the weekend because I know that I will not be coming to an
empty house. Small touches, like having heating, make a huge
difference.”
A Home Away From Home
HaBayit
Shel Benji is run by a professional staff with years of experience.
More than 250 volunteers help out as well, not only providing logistical
support but also broadening the soldiers’ social circles.
“I
know the house is still there for me,” explains a soldier who recently
finished his army service and now volunteers at HaBayit Shel Benji.
“Knowing that someone still cares about me is the most reassuring thing.
Whenever I come back to the house as a volunteer, I feel it even more. I
never stay away for long.”
In
addition to housing, each one of the soldiers is paired up with a local
family who provides him or her with moral support. One of these
families’ roles is to attend their soldiers’ military ceremonies,
providing them with the encouragement that they may otherwise lack.
HaBayit
Shel Benji also hosts an education and guidance center available to all
lone soldiers. Through a mix of group classes and individual support,
it provides guidance during the transition from army to civilian life.
Soldiers are given guidance with activities such as enrolling in
university, renting an apartment, getting a driver’s license and finding
a job.
If you find this story interesting, click here to read more about IDF soldiers.
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