Rabbi Sholom Myers
Rabbi Shalom Myers was raised South Africa, where he was active in Bnei Akiva and Menahel Shichva. He served in the S.A. Defense Force as Chaplain for Western Province Command. He has Smicha from Machon Ariel and taught for 14 years at Ohr Somayach, heading the Mechina program. In 2013, he founded the Emek Learning Center in the German Colony, Jerusalem which provides Shabbat meals for large groups of Lone Soldiers from the area. He has four sons who served as combat soldiers in the IDF, one as a Hesder paratrooper, one in infantry, one as an officer in Paratroopers 202 and the youngest in Sayeret Nachal.
Rabbi Azarya Berzon
Harav Azarya Berzon is the Rav and Rosh Kollel of the ELC. Previously, Rav Berzon served as Rosh Mesivta at the Beis Medrash L'Talmud of Lander College for Men. He served as Rosh Mesivta in Yeshivat Hesder Ma’aleh Adumim, as well as senior Rosh Mesivta at Yeshivat Shaalvim from 1981-1991, and founded Yeshiva Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion in 1991, where he served as Rosh Yeshiva until 2009. Rabbi Berzon also founded Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim for women in 1996. Most recently, he has served as Co-Rosh Kollel of the Yeshiva University Kollel in Toronto. A talmid of Harav Yoseph Dov Soloveitchik zt”l, Rabbi Berzon also studied in Yeshiva Kerem B’Yavneh and Yeshiva Beis Ha’Talmud in Israel. He has over 1,400 Torah Shiurim online and has served in many communities across the world as a Scholar in Residence.
Baruki Cohen
Baruki Cohen is a seasoned entrepreneur who is active in a number of meaningful charities. Baruki grew up in Englewood, NJ and attended Frisch high school and Yeshiva University. He went on to start more than 5 successful companies including Madison Trading, Morningside Evaluations, Kensington Vanguard Title, Davis Mortgages, and DietMart.com. Baruki was also on the board of directors of Mishmeret Yesha and The Breslov Research Institute. Baruki currently lives in Jerusalem and is active in helping lone soldiers. He, his wife and five children host soldiers and actively work to make life in Israel easier for the lone soldiers.
Emek Lone Soldiers' Mission
Our mission at Emek Lone Soldiers is to offer support and create a warm and loving environment for lone soldiers of the IDF, and those who have recently been released from their army service.
As part of our mission, Emek Lone Soldiers provides lone soldiers with important services, including;
* Hot meals during different programs, and for Shabbat and the many holidays
* Care packages for both on-duty and off-duty soldiers
* Access to both washing machines and dryers
* Access to Wi-Fi Internet connection and telephones
* Help with transporting furniture and other large objects
* Advice and assistance in navigating the Israeli economy
Just being there for lone soldiers can have a massive impact on their lives. A smile partnered with a willingness to listen and empathize can go a long way. Emek Lone Soldiers is there for them in these ways, and so much more.