Isrotel and the Cherney Fund Help Soldiers without Families

August 2002

In Israel’s continuing war on terrorism, the heaviest burden falls on the young soldiers, especially those who have no families in the country. Many of them are recent arrivals on the Na’ale program who have stayed in Israel, graduated from school, and went on to serve in the Army. These young men and women are prone to experience both financial and emotional problems. Often they have no one to share their holidays with, and they lack resources for a full-fledged vacation. Isrotel hotel chain and Michael Cherney Foundation, with support from Aguda le Ma’an a-hayal, have sponsored an all-expense-paid three-day vacation in Eilat for these single young soldiers on October 3-5, 2002.

Forty single soldiers from various units plus ten children who survived the Delphinarium bombing will be staying at the Laguna Hotel, with meals included. Most single soldiers are from the combat troops (“krovim”), and can certainly benefit from their stay, both physically and emotionally.

The Michael Cherney Foundation renders assistance to terrorism victims, both the families of the dead and the survivors, including ones from the Delphinarium bombing. Earlier this year the Foundation sent over 100 children wounded at the Delphinarium on a trip to Eilat, which helped with their health rehabilitation. (The ten children who could not make it on that trip will be joining the soldiers on this one.)

In deciding to sponsor this charity program, Mr. Cherney said, “A soldier of our army should not feel lonely. He defends all of us, and this makes all of us his family members. I hope the kids will enjoy both the warm sea and a sense of family warmth as well.”