Remember October 7 with our Wilshire community through music, reflection, and the harrowing stories of four young Israeli women who left their families to serve as lone soldiers in the IDF.
Hear from these courageous combat and company commanders, border security officers, and artillery commanders about their experiences during and after October 7, their lives today, and their hopes for the future. We’ll also screen a film exploring what it means to face war and its aftermath on your own.
Join Rabbi Joel Nickerson, Rabbi Susan Nanus, and Cantor Aliya Stuart for this powerful evening presented in partnership with Lone Front, the first and only nonprofit in Israel dedicated to serving lone female combat soldiers.
Program Schedule
Music and reflection to remember those lost on October 7
Congregational recitation of the Kaddish
A short film introducing Lone Front and its work
Stories from four lone female soldiers about their service, challenges, and hopes for the future
Panel discussion and audience Q&A
Dessert reception
About Lone Front
Lone Front is the first and only nonprofit in Israel dedicated to supporting lone female combat soldiers during and after their military service. It provides a safe home, academic and career guidance, personal mentorship, and practical tools for civilian life, helping these resilient, mission-driven women build stable, fulfilling futures.
Lone Front was founded by Moriya Azulay, a former lone combat soldier, international speaker, and Government and Diplomacy student at Reichman University. After her own service, she found herself without a place to live and unable to find an organization supporting discharged lone female combat soldiers. She founded Lone Front to help ensure that every woman who fought for her country has a home to come back to.
About the Panel
May Bini
May Bini, 26, is originally from Bangkok and made Aliyah to Israel in 2018 through Garin Tzabar. She served as a Lone Soldier in the Israeli Air Force as a Welfare Officer, where she led her own soldiers and developed a deep commitment to supporting others. May currently co-hosts a podcast giving Lone Soldiers and immigrant Soldiers (Olim) a platform to share their experiences.
Odeliya Pich
Odeliya Pich, 25, is a former lone IDF combat soldier and commander who served in the Caracal Battalion and later as a company sergeant responsible for approximately 100 soldiers. She has continued serving in the reserves along the Gaza border, contributing to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of communities affected by the war.
Lior Yona
Lior Yona, 24, is a former Lone Soldier who joined the IDF after leaving an unstable home at the age of 16. She served as a Combat Crossing Soldier, Company Administrative Clerk, and Operational Command Center Coordinator. During the war, Lior volunteered and independently collected and delivered donations to people in need.
Valeria Alperin
Valeria Alperin, 25, is a former Lone Soldier, combat veteran, and commander in the IDF Artillery Corps. Since October 7, she has returned for five periods of reserve duty while working to advance human rights at the International Law Department at Israel’s Ministry of Justice.
