Yehuda Zaretsky recently held a meeting at Young Israel of Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale. The Sunday morning gathering was called to introduce Gesher Shel Zahav – Bridge of Gold. The Israel Defense Forces includes thousands who are called “lone soldiers.”
The organization was created to accommodate the needs of his unique group. The lone soldiers are young men and women who made aliyah by themselves, leaving their families behind. There is no home to go to when on leave. There is no mother or father or family to comfort them, to commiserate with them, to cook a warm meal for them.
Zaretsky, a husband, a father, an attorney, and a major in the IDF, wanted to help the lone soldiers under his command. The idea of Gesher Shel Zahav – Bridge of Gold was conceived.
The Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale event was attended by community members and families of lone soldiers. Yehuda led a rousing prayer for the IDF. Rabbi Yisroel Edelman from Young Israel of Deerfield Beach stated that Avraham Avinu was the first lone soldier in Israel and Yaakov the second. Consulate General of Israel for Florida and Puerto Rico Revital Malca said that when she came to America, her two daughters (who were in the IDF) became lone soldiers. Their parents were in another country.
The gathering was filled with music, singing, and dancing. Emmy Hoffer played guitar and keyboard. Zaretsky detailed many of the accommodations Bridge of Gold features and is planning for the brave young soldiers. They included finding host families, celebrations, events, meals, facilities and many arrangements to make their lives better.
For more information, e-mail Yehuda Zaretsky at [email protected]. Those who wish to contribute can send a check to Joel Weiss, 221 Richmond C, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442. Make out the check to American Friends of Bridge of Gold.