By Elisabeth Hinze
Over the years, I’ve managed to store up a treasure chest filled with happy memories of holiday times with family and friends. There are times spent on family vacations at places that later became our special family spots. And times spent at home. Trips with friends. Parties. Hanging out. But regardless of place, time or activity, there are some standard ingredients that you’ll find in all my happy holiday memories: loved ones, quality time, laughter, warmth and joy. Oh, and food of course.
Because these are the staples. Yes, naturally there’s the specific holiday’s God-ordained significance. That’s first and foremost. But there are also the other universal happy-holiday-synonyms: no work, sleeping late, tables laden with delicious treats and that warm fuzzy feeling that everything is okay with the world. And no matter who you are or where you find yourself, holidays should be spent surrounded by those who know and love you.
But things don’t always work out that way. Obviously. There are work commitments, families living apart, moving away. And sometimes logistics just don’t fall into place the way we planned. It’s then that the holidays can get a bit nostalgic. Sure, there’s the aspect of a new adventure, new friends, a road less travelled. But holidays away from your loved ones usually leave a lingering ache for the familiar.
The sombre, more serious holidays are often easier in that respect. But it’s the happy ones that bring nostalgic thoughts of your childhood home. And Sukkot is a happy holiday. Wait, let’s rephrase. It’s THE happy holiday. I mean, it’s not called “The Season of Our Joy” for nothing. In fact, it’s the one holiday out of the seven where the Bible instructs us to be wholly happy, to rejoice. It’s a festival that draws families and friends together. The kids help dad build the sukkah. And then help mom decorate it. Feasts are prepared to share with loved ones under the palm leaves and fruit and stars. The last of the balmy summer evenings are put to maximum use. It’s a truly joyous time in Israel.
But for the more than 5 000 lone soldiers currently serving in the IDF, Sukkot can be a tad lonely at first. Sure, there are often relatives living in Israel. Others spend the holidays with host families. Or with the families of army friends. Make no mistake, the hospitality and camaraderie of Israelis would never allow anyone to spend such an important time alone! Yet the fact remains: family and long-time friends are far away.
A recent Ynet News article (Home is where the IDF is) reports that those lone soldiers hailing from distant countries such as Panama or Zimbabwe, have made the army their family. It’s a group of young people that I have the utmost respect for. See, I highly doubt whether I would have had the courage, wisdom and strength to make the same choices they did at that age. Especially seeing that some of these lone soldiers from countries such as New Zeeland and Cuba find themselves the only person from that specific country. Moreover, given the risks and dangers that come with protecting Israel, some parents can be less than supportive of the choice their child has made.
“I am an only daughter,” explains Corporal Esther from Panama. “And although my mother didn’t want me to immigrate to Israel, I decided that I love the country, I’m going to do it and going to enlist. Mom lives hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, and I miss her very much, but I feel at home on the kibbutz where I live.”
Corporal Avi Buchris, another sole representative of his country, agrees. Although he confesses to miss his family terribly, he’s found a new family amongst his army friends. Corporals Esther and Buchris and many other lone soldiers left behind the home they knew, only to find themselves unsure of returning there after their time in the army is finished. “My home is here,” says Corporal Buchris.
In Israel these lone soldiers will live and learn, fall in love and build a life for themselves. Here they will add to the many happy memories of holidays surrounded by those who love them. I suspect that sense of nostalgia, the bitter-sweet reminders for where we come from will always be with us. We are human after all. But as far as these lone soldiers are concerned, they’ve come home. They are home for the holidays.
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