The Benji Hillman Foundation

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The Benji Hillman Foundation[1] (BHF) was founded in August 2006, in memory of Major Benji Hillman - killed in the 2006 Lebanon War, to help the lone combat soldier and soldiers from deprived backgrounds in Israel Defense Forces, both during and after their army service. The Foundation is building a home and offers programs and solutions for these soldiers.

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[edit] Foundation's work

"Lone Soldiers" are young men, who have decided to leave their country of origin and join the Israeli army. Lone soldiers often have no family in Israel, barely speak the Hebrew language and in most cases have no place of their own to go when they get leave.

The Foundation is implementing a number of projects to make the lives of these soldiers more comfortable, and to assist in integrating them into Israeli society.

The Foundation's flagship project, which is already deep in the planning stages, has been named Habayit Shel Benji (Benji's Home). The Foundation's goal is to provide general assistance, a warm bed, good food, a surrogate family (from members of local community - Raanana) and all the comforts of home.

The foundation has received land from the local municipality and plans to begin building the project in June/July 2008.

Furthermore, The BHF intends to advance its objectives by offering a number of solutions and programs (educational and vocational) to both the residents of the house and to lone combat soldiers in general.

[edit] Benji Hillman

The foundation is named after Major Benji Hillman (1979-2006), a company commander in the elite Egoz Reconnaissance Unit, who was killed in Maroun al-Ras leading his troops into battle. Hillman is said to have had an unstinting sense of responsibility toward the soldiers under his command, particularly the lone soldier.

Benji was born on the 3rd of October 1979 in North West London to Judith and Danny Hillman. He had an older sister, Abigail and younger brother Shimon. His family emigrated to Israel in 1983 to Raanana. He attended the local primary school and then went to the Mechina in Kfar Saba and subsequently to the Midrashiya in Pardes Chana. He also spent a year at Bnei-David the pre-military Yeshiva in Eli.

In 1998 he entered the army and was accepted to the Egoz Reconnaissance Unit. He was named outstanding soldier in basic training and in combat courses following. In 2000 he graduated from officers course with distinction and held positions in both Egoz and in the Golani Brigade 51st battalion. In June 2006, less than a month before he was killed, he married his long time girlfriend Ayala Borger.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Foundation Website
  2. ^ Jerusalem Post dated Dec 7, 2006

[edit] External links