Dear Aviva,
When I enlisted my mother worried who would take care of me during my army service, but what luck! I got to the Givati Brigade and suddenly I wasn’t a lone soldier anymore, since in every family ceremony Beit Kobi surprises us with homemade food and lovely gifts. Aviva, you and all the folks from Mirs were really always with us, from the beginning of our service, with smiles, encouragement, food, and just plain hugs, and always at the most critical moments, like after a difficult operation or on “Parents Day.” I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your devotion to the lone soldiers in the brigade, for whom you have given so much love and support.
soldier from South Africa
To Aviva,
I am most grateful that there are people who help us lone soldiers, as we need more help than regular soldiers. Many thanks for this day of leisure, which has been both fun and interesting. From the start of our Army service we lone soldiers thought that no one can make us happy. Now we are happy that there are people who help us in both words and deeds. If there would be more good people like them there wouldn’t be any wars. Anyone who took part in this day of leisure was put in a good frame of mind that can last for a whole year.
Soldier from the Rotem Battalion, March 03
To our dear friends in the Beit Kobi Organization,
We wish to send you our best wishes and thank you for the wonderful day you have given us as a gift. Kobi’s path will accompany us for the duration of our service, and with your organization we have drawn a pact of friendship.
Keep up the good work. If only there would be more people like you!
Soldiers in the Givati Brigade Hq.
23/3/03
To Beit Kobi,
Education is important for everyone…Beit Kobi is an amazing place, with a lot of love and support for people who are in need of it, a place that encourages its officers’ staff to see their personnel first as human beings and only then as soldiers. We will learn a lot from you.
Wishing you success with all our heart, and may you continue to be strong!
From the staff, March 03
Thanks
Shalom Aviva,
Thank you for the day of leisure, it was really wonderful. It was good to be with people whose circumstances are similar to mine. Now I know that I am not alone and that there are people who really care about me.
Once again, thank you so much for everything
Soldier from South Africa
To the Kobi family,
You have done a great job on the wonderful enterprise that you have built, with all your energy to contribute and provide assistance. Your venture only strengthens our will to help and to listen. Please keep up the good work. Thank you very much.
From the welfare personnel - Rotem Battalion
Aviva…
You asked us not to thank you.
So thank you Kobi, for helping me learn a little about myself and the type of commander I want to become, how to regard my future soldiers and my calling as a person. I will think about you whenever I run into a problem with a soldier. Maybe I will be able to solve it, thanks to you, in a more humane and ethical manner.
Officer from the IDF welfare Course
Dear Aviva,
In this short and imprecise letter, as far as language is concerned, I will attempt to summarize 6 months of experiences, missions and obstacles that I encountered with help from Beit Kobi. What is difficult for a lone soldier, at least as far as I’m concerned, is not the money, apartment, shopping, but the mother who isn’t there to tell you how proud she is of you when you finally return home. Missing is the hug from dad and the stories of his difficult period in the IDF, and grandfather’s stories about the Hagana and Stern Gang. What’s missing is the family connection that strengthens our ties and keeps us rooted to this strange Holy Land where we find ourselves. This is something that is more important than warm winter clothes (which is also important, and which we were happy to receive) and even more important than a day of leisure. And this whole package you bring to us, love, even just a little bit, even just a drop of feeling from home, coming from strangers who, even if they’re not waiting for you at home and doing your laundry, still care, truthfully and honestly, and stay with you for the long haul. This is the true gift of Beit Kobi, in the most fitting memory of a soldier who dedicated his life for the fulfillment of these values.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
A soldier
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